Subaru WRX vs. Mazda Mazda3 Sedan
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru WRX and Mazda Mazda3 Sedan contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Subaru WRX and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan.
In comparing the Subaru WRX's and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX has the advantage in the areas of resale value, interior volume and base engine power. The Mazda Mazda3 Sedan has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Subaru WRX's and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's specifications and ratings, the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan is a better car than the Subaru WRX.
Pricing: A used 2025 Subaru WRX ranges from $34,130 to $47,543 while a used 2025 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan is priced between $22,542 to $29,876. For a new model, the Subaru WRX's price is between $37,369 and $50,192, with the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan priced between $25,372 and $33,509.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru WRX loses 35.3 percent of its value and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan loses 38.2 percent of its value. This means the Subaru WRX retains 2.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru WRX is 8.5 out of 10 while the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Subaru WRX being ranked 7 out of 31 Best Small Cars and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan being ranked 3 out of 31.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru WRX is 7.6 out of 10. For the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru WRX.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru WRX’s base engine makes 271 horsepower, and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan base engine makes 191 horsepower. The WRX is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles. The Mazda3 Sedan is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. This gives the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru WRX. The WRX uses premium unleaded, and the Mazda3 Sedan uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Subaru WRX has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Mazda Mazda3 Sedan has the advantage in the areas of rear head room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru WRX and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
37369 - 50192
Starting MSRP:
37750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
25372 - 33509
Starting MSRP:
24150
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
40036
Price Range:
34130 - 47543
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24722
Price Range:
22542 - 29876
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
13443
Depreciation %:
0.35610694
Resale Value $:
24307
Residual Value %:
0.64389306
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.3979908
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.31796157 - 0.42854561
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
9364
Depreciation %:
0.3877575
Resale Value $:
14786
Residual Value %:
0.6122425
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.3979908
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.31796157 - 0.42854561
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru WRX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.059
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda Mazda3 Sedan
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
15.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.152
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.78046553314381
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.2706111340684245
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
6 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 7Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
10 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 21Ranking
20 out of / 31Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
2 out of / 31Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 31Ranking
3 out of / 31Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
23 out of / 31Ranking
29 out of / 31Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru WRX Trim Levels
GT, Limited, Premium, tS
Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Trim Levels
2.5 Carbon Turbo, 2.5 S, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 S Select Sport, 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
271 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.081 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
315 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 37 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
356 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
12.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.5 inches
Cargo Space:
13.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
92.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3351 lbs
Width:
79.3 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
183.8 inches
Wheelbase:
105.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3124 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
183.5 inches
Wheelbase:
107.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Sapphire Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Purple
Galaxy Purple Pearl
Red
Ignition Red
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Ceramic White
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Not available
Purple
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Interior Colors
Black
Black with Red Stitching
Interior Colors
Black
Black
