2023 Subaru WRX vs 2022 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued to offer its four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles without significant changes. It was available in the affordable Mazda3 2.0 (sedan only), the popular Mazda3 2.5 S, and the speedy Mazda3 2.5 Turbo model series. The 2.5 S lineup provided the most variety, with five trim levels and a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2.5 S Premium hatchback was the only model offering a six-speed manual transmission. Prices ranged from $20,800 to $34,400, excluding the $1,015 destination charge. The top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback, with extra-cost Polymetal Gray Metallic paint, had an MSRP of $35,810, including the destination charge.

The Mazda3's appearance was not universally appealing, with deeply sculpted flanks and a hatchback design that some might call "hunchback." However, it had a certain artistry that could be appreciated. The 2.5 Turbo model emphasized stealth, lacking a big rear spoiler or flashy body kit, and presented a mature, serious look. Inside, refined materials and sophisticated design created an upscale, almost elegant driving environment. The Mazda3 offered more value than an entry-level luxury car, except in perceived cachet.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, no longer badged as the Impreza WRX, had distinct styling from the Impreza, featuring a wide-body look and functional hood scoop. Base models had 17-inch wheels, while other trims had 18-inch wheels with standard summer tires. The WRX's exterior styling conveyed its performance car nature, fitting in with Subaru's design theme. The interior was basic but durable, with GT models featuring Recaro Performance Design front seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver, red contrast stitching, and Ultrasuede upholstery for the front seats and dashboard cover.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered three engine options. The 2.0 sedan had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, with a focus on fuel economy, returning 31 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 S model, the most popular choice, had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional AWD. Fuel economy for the 2.5 S ranged from 27 to 30 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo model had a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with power output depending on the fuel type: 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with 87-octane gas, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with 93-octane fuel. The Turbo model had standard AWD and returned 26-27 mpg in combined driving.

The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo was fun to drive, with a smooth and supple ride, nimble handling, flawless steering, and outstanding balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving on Deer Creek Canyon Road. The car averaged 23.1 mpg, lower than the advertised fuel economy, and the 12.7-gallon fuel tank required frequent refueling.

The 2023 Subaru WRX had a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It offered more horsepower than a Volkswagen Golf GTI but less than a Golf R. The WRX featured AWD and a standard six-speed manual transmission, with an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) branded as the Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT). The SPT/CVT was optional on base, Premium, and Limited trims, but standard on the GT model. The CVT provided quick responses to throttle inputs, feeling more like a conventional automatic transmission, but with some fake shift shock during hard acceleration.

GT models had electronically controlled dampers and a drive mode select system with multiple settings for steering, engine, AWD system, driver aids, and climate control. The WRX was quiet and comfortable for daily driving, with good grip from its AWD system and standard summer tires. However, the driving experience felt muted, with a quiet exhaust, blunted acceleration from the CVT, and laid-back steering.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had a low seating position, making it difficult to enter and exit, with small door openings. The front seats provided a snug but comfortable fit, with excellent thigh and side bolster support. The interior was driver-focused, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and leather upholstery in higher trims. The back seat offered decent comfort and legroom for shorter passengers, but taller passengers would find it cramped. Storage space was adequate, with large door panel bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable center console bin. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 47.1 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, offered practicality with more front headroom and legroom than a Honda Civic Si, but less rear-seat space. The WRX had 12.5 cubic feet of trunk space, less than the Civic Si, Volkswagen Jetta GLI, and Hyundai Elantra N. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat was standard, but Subaru did not provide a cargo-space number with the seat folded. The WRX had good outward visibility, with low window-sill lines, thin forward roof pillars, and a low dashboard. However, there was no convenient place to put a phone, with the typical spot under the touchscreen being too small, and the center console storage bin not ideal for charging or using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch static display, controlled via a center console knob, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. Mazda avoided touchscreens to reduce driver distraction, but the lack of a physical tuning function and a cumbersome voice recognition system were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration helped mitigate these issues. Mazda Connected Services provided remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app, with a complimentary three-year subscription. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose system available. An Active Driving Display projected data onto the windshield, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Subaru WRX's Subaru Starlink infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Base models had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims had an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen displayed icons and text clearly, but physical buttons and knobs would have been appreciated. The interface was mostly user-friendly, but the SiriusXM satellite radio interface required multiple steps, and the system took a long time to load on startup.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had comprehensive safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The Mazda3 received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Subaru WRX featured Subaru's EyeSight safety system, available only with the CVT. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, automated lane-centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Other available safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights. The WRX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and the highest "Superior" score for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA gave the WRX a five-star overall safety rating.