-
On paper they look nearly identical, but I can assure you they are not.
2017 Subaru WRX STI -----VS------ 2013 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Subaru-STi Engine 305 hp, 290 lb-ft
Mazdaspeed3 Engine 263 hp, 280 lb-ft
Subaru-STi Curb weight: 3,391 lbs
Mazdaspeed3 Curb weight: 3,281 lbs
Subaru-STi Stated MPG: 17 city / 23 highway
Subaru-STi Actual MPG: 12 city / 15 highway
Mazdaspeed3 Stated MPG: 18 city / 25 highway
Mazdaspeed3 Actual MPG: 18 city / 28 highway
Subaru-STi Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx : gal 15.9
Mazdaspeed3 Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx : gal 15.9
Subaru-STi MSRP: From $35,195
Mazdaspeed3 MSRP: From $24,995
POWER
Both cars are very fast, the Subaru's AWD will help you launch with no problems, however the Mazdaspeed3 you will get some wheel spin as to be expected with most FWD cars and since the Mazdaspeed3 has so much power that comes on tap right away there is a lot of torque steer. The Mazdaspeed3s turbo is very quick to spool and the power is immediate, the mid-range has tons of torque too, so best not to get into full boost unless you are already rolling. The Subaru takes a bit to the build power up, it has a lot of boost lag IMHO, but once it spools up hold on!!
HANDLING
Both cars hug the curves with no problem, but I will say the Subaru felt like it hugged the corners better. The Subaru feels more planted as well, and a bit lower/flatter, but on the other hand it felt too heavy and sluggish at low speeds, where as the Mazdaspeed3 still feels very light and nimble, much like a Miata. I will say the Mazdaspeed3 has a much better / tighter turning radius, and the STi you will need more room to make a U-Turn or tight parking spot.
COMFORT
The suspension in the Subaru has two settings, Sport, and Super Sport, but ill be damned if I could feel much difference. Im not sure if it was the seats or the suspension or both in the Subaru but it was not fun on my daily highway commutes My butt and back felt like they got a workout everyday. The Mazdaspeed3 was much nicer ride quality on my 40 y/o butt, and back, where as the Subaru felt like a lowered car already, it was not kind at all to my butt.
MILEAGE
The Subaru Gas mileage was actually quite a joke, especially when all the other 2017 Japanese cars are getting close to 30 and 40 MPG, I was expecting the same, so I was really disappointed in this category. I even called the dealer and was like, ummmm are these cars supposed to get such crappy mileage? The salesman chuckled, "yes, mine is lucky to get 17 if I hypermile it, hahahahah." The Mazdaspeed3 can get 28 MPG on the highway all day long (as long as you are not in boost). I tried that in the Subaru and best I can get is 15 MPG. Both have the same size gas tank and the Subaru got 225 miles on a tank of gas, whereas the Mazdaspeed can get close to 390 miles on a tank of gas.
Both cars are blast to drive, however being as I commute 50+ miles per day for work the Gas Mileage was "one" of the key factors pushing me back into the Mazdaspeed3
CUBIC SPACE
If you have kids this will be a factor, the Subarus trunk was very slim and kinda small you have to lay down the kids backpacks and push them back to close the trunk, and the Subarus Rear Shelf Speakers sit low in the car and you lose a good 5 inches due to the speakers hanging up inside that Subaru trunk. This was not a big deal until I had to pick up my kids in the typical Florida Monsoon rains and i am racing to get the kids loaded and their backpacks dont fit in as easy, yeah getting soaked is not fun.
Mazdaspeed3 Hatch WINS on this hands down zero comparison, I have crammed so much stuff in the back of my Mazdaspeed3 I should get a movers award, not only can i easily toss in the kids backpacks with ease, but I can, and have in the past hauled anything, including: Miata 4-point rollbar, 12 x 5 gallon pails of paint, 10" thick chopped logs at least 20+, Big Rocks and concrete pavers for the yard/garden, 4 sets of rims and tires (separated), full Mazdaspeed3 catback exhaust and downpipe, 15 gallon tree and other various potted plants, 9 x 80 lb bags of soil, 2 miata front bumpers (Nopro & GHO) plus the fender flares for them, a desk, groceries, etc etc. I have really made this into my work truck, and did I mention it gets excellent gas mileage ??
STYLING . These are both great looking cars, the Subaru looks more serious bees knees though, where as the Mazdaspeed3 just looks happy, hahahha. The STi I had had a big wing on the trunk which seemed to attract the police like bees to honey. The first day I had it a cop followed me for several blocks likely running my tags, which is super annoying and stressful, a few days later a Honda was revving his engine at me and instead of following the Honda the cop followed me. This only happened once in the Mazdaspeed3, but numerous times in the Subaru (it had to be that big wing though), every time I felt like I was being profiled as a street racer. ugh . But honestly without that wing the Subaru looks like every other boring 4-door sedan, lame. So damned if you do, damned if you dont I guess.
OTHER NOTES
The back window on the Subaru is rather small and if you have the big wing it feels even smaller, and there is no rear wiper on the Subaru, I got REALLY attached to the Mazdaspeed3 rear wiper blade, especially on rainy days, or colder days when you have that layer of fog, mist, dew or whatever, turn on the rear wiper and boom instant clarity. I like to just jump in my car and GO in the morning, I dont have time to wash off, or scrape off any morning dew when I go to work, and the rear defroster just takes too long. Hard to see cops following (pacing behind you) in the morning on the highway if you cannot see out that rear window.
My main 4 things that lead me back to the Mazdaspeed3
1. MPG
2. Cargo Room
3. Ride Comfort
4. that rear wiper arm. Yo
-
The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Phatmiata For This Useful Post:
Agent☣Orange (11-26-2018),freedomgli (11-27-2018),HarryB (11-27-2018),MaRcOp01o (11-27-2018),MiataQuest (11-27-2018),MX5Wisher (11-27-2018)
Tags for this Thread
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules