Mazda3 vs WRX
The Mazda3 and the WRX are aimed squarely at each other: same class, different badges. Count the areas and a pattern appears. The Mazda3 is ahead in 2 of 4, led by a clear margin in fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance WRX wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Mazda3 wins
- Space & Practicality Mazda3 wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance2.8
- Fuel Economy & Range4.8
- Space & Practicality4.4
- Engine & Performance7.3
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
- Space & Practicality4.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The WRX has 80 hp more power
The WRX’s 271 hp leaves the Mazda3’s 191 hp well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The Mazda3 has better fuel economy
Not a close call. The Mazda3 lists 31 mpg and the WRX lists 22 mpg. That’s a substantial gap. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The WRX has 72 lb-ft more torque
Among all the differences on this page, 258 lb-ft against 186 lb-ft is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the WRX. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
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The Mazda3 has 5.6% more cargo space
The WRX isn’t far behind at 12.5 cu ft, but the Mazda3’s 13.2 cu ft still comes out ahead. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
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The Mazda3 has better highway fuel economy
The WRX gives up a lot on fuel economy (highway): 26 mpg, compared with 37 mpg on the Mazda3. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Design & Size
- Mazda3 183.5 in × 70.7 in × 56.9 in
- WRX 183.8 in × 71.9 in × 57.8 in
Size-wise, the WRX takes up more space, and the Mazda3 is easier to fit where room is tight.
Dimensions
| Spec | Mazda3 | WRX |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5 in | 183.8 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 70.7 in | 71.9 in |
| Height | 56.9 in | 57.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 in | 105.4 in |
Engine & Performance
WRX leads
The WRX wins the engine & performance section decisively. Here the WRX offers 80 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. Prioritize engine & performance, and the WRX is where you should land.
Total system output
Mazda3: 191 hp WRX: 271 hp The WRX’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
Mazda3: 186 lb-ft WRX: 258 lb-ft The WRX’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Fuel Economy & Range
Mazda3 leads
Look at the fuel economy & range table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Mazda3. The Mazda3 gives you better fuel economy. The Mazda3 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. In short, the Mazda3 is the better-equipped car for fuel economy & range.
Fuel economy (combined)
Mazda3: 31 mpg WRX: 22 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
Mazda3: 37 mpg WRX: 26 mpg Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Space & Practicality
Mazda3 leads
If you’re keeping score, the space & practicality point goes narrowly to the Mazda3. On its side, the Mazda3 has 5.6% more cargo space. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice. Net result: the Mazda3 leads this part of the comparison.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Mazda3: 13.2 cu ft WRX: 12.5 cu ft The Mazda3’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
If off-road & towing matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Treat off-road & towing as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Safety & Tech
This section is descriptive. The Mazda3 and the WRX list different components for safety & tech, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Mazda3 | WRX |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.5L I4 | 2.4L turbo flat-4 |
| Total system output | 191 hp | 271 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Mazda3 | WRX |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 31 mpg (winner) | 22 mpg Thirstiest in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | 27 mpg (winner) | 19 mpg Thirstiest in the city |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 37 mpg (winner) | 26 mpg Thirstiest on the highway |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Mazda3 | WRX |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 13.2 cu ft (winner) | 12.5 cu ft Smallest cargo area |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Mazda3 | WRX |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Mazda3 | WRX |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 10.3 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | Mazda i-Activsense | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Mazda3 | WRX |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5 in | 183.8 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 70.7 in | 71.9 in |
| Height | 56.9 in | 57.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 in | 105.4 in |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Mazda3 if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (31 mpg vs 22 mpg)
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (13.2 cu ft vs 12.5 cu ft)
- you cover long highway distances (37 mpg vs 26 mpg on the highway)
- you want better city fuel economy (27 mpg vs 19 mpg)
Choose the WRX if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (271 hp vs 191 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (258 lb-ft vs 186 lb-ft of torque)
- you want the bigger car
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Mazda3 or the WRX?
We’d point most buyers to the Mazda3. The main exception is if you’d rather have 80 hp more power on the WRX.
Is the Mazda3 bigger than the WRX?
Going by the official dimensions, the WRX is the larger one: 183.8 × 71.9 × 57.8 in against the Mazda3’s 183.5 × 70.7 × 56.9 in.
Executive Summary
The Mazda3 from Mazda and the WRX from Subaru go after the same buyer. Here’s how I see them. The biggest reason I lean toward the Mazda3 is simple: it has better fuel economy. Stack 5.6% more cargo space on top of that, and the Mazda3’s lead grows. Credit where it’s due: the WRX offers 80 hp more power.
If your days lean on fuel economy & range, I’d pick the Mazda3; if they lean on engine & performance, the WRX.
My pick: the Mazda3 for most people, with the WRX as the smarter choice if what you want most is 80 hp more power.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.