2023 Subaru Impreza vs. 2023 Mazda3

Looking for a smaller vehicle that can still get the job done? A sedan or hatchback can be a great choice for a city-friendly vehicle that offers you good fuel economy and some great features. Also, these types of vehicles can be found at an affordable price. 

Below, we are going to compare two smaller vehicle options in the 2023 Subaru Impreza and the 2023 Mazda3. Both of these vehicles can be found in sedan or hatchback versions and they have a lot of capability to offer. Learn more below. 

Performance and Engine Options

First, let's take a look at the performance that these vehicles offer you, including engine options and other performance features. 

The 2023 Subaru Impreza is home to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 152-horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine has a standard five-speed manual transmission, but there is a continuously variable automatic transmission available. You also get standard symmetrical all-wheel drive to help your vehicle get better traction in all kinds of conditions, including snow, rain, and more. In terms of fuel efficiency, you can get up to 28 city and 36 highway miles per gallon, depending on the model. 

For the 2023 model year, the Mazda3 drops its old base model and that means it drops the engine that goes with it. The new base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine produces 191-horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and it can offer you around 26 city and 35 highway miles per gallon. 

The second engine option in your 2023 Mazda3 is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The turbocharged engine option can give you up to 250-horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. This is also paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, but there is a six-speed manual transmission available. You can expect to get around 23 city and 31 highway miles per gallon with this turbocharged engine option. In the Mazda, front-wheel drive is standard on all models and all-wheel drive is available. 

Overall, the Mazda3 has slightly more powerful engine options, but not as good of fuel economy and no standard all-wheel drive. 

Exterior 

On the outside, the Subaru Impreza measures around 14.6 to 15.2 feet long with a curb weight ranging from 2,900 to 3,150. This vehicle can have exterior features like all-season tires, LED headlights, fog lights, folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals, raised roof rails, and more. 

The Mazda3 is about 15 feet long with a curb weight that ranges from 2,900 to 3,383 pounds. For the 2023 Mazda3, you have features like LED headlights and taillights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, all-season tires, and a power-sliding moonroof.

Interior and Technology

The inside of the Subaru Impreza has seating for five people on standard cloth upholstery. There are interior upgrades like leather upholstery, heated seats, and a leather wrapped steering wheel. 

For technology, this vehicle gives you standard wireless Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an infotainment system that can feature a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen. You also have features like a premium stereo, a built-in navigation system, and a driver information display. 

In terms of cargo capacity, it depends on whether you choose the sedan or hatchback model. The Subaru Impreza sedan gives you 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space. With the hatchback version, you can get 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space with those rear seats folded down. 

You have seating for five on standard cloth seating in the Mazda3, but there are interior upgrades like heated front seats, leatherette seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Standard technology features in the Mazda3 include an 8.8-inch display with the Mazda Connect infotainment system. You also have Bluetooth, keyless entry, USB ports, and an 8-speaker sound system. There are additional available features like a Bose 12-speaker audio system, an active driving display, and a navigation system.

Cargo capacity in the Mazda3 also depends on whether you are choosing a sedan or hatchback. The sedan model gives you 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, and the hatchback version gives you up to 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. 

Both of these interiors have a lot to offer you in terms of features. They offer you a comfortable place, as well as a tech-friendly inside; the exact features you get depend upon the specific model. 

Safety

Finally, let's look at how safe these vehicles are for you. Subaru has you covered when it comes to safety. This vehicle has Starlink Safety and Security that offers you features like Advanced Automatic Collision Notification that will notify an operator of a collision and SOS Emergency Assistance that gives you roadside assistance. 

There are also safety technology features in your Subaru Impreza like the EyeSight Driver Assist technology, which includes features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Pre-Collision Braking, and a Pre-Collision Throttle Management system. There are some additional safety features available like a rear seat reminder, adaptive LED lights, automatic high-beams, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. 

When it comes to safety, all 2023 Mazda3 models come standard with i-Activsense safety features. These safety features include Smart Brake Support, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Control, Driver Attention Alert, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control. Other available safety features in this vehicle include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, an adaptive front-lighting system, and rear cross traffic braking. 

Both of these vehicles offer you some features to keep you and your passengers safe, and both vehicles have some great features overall. When making a decision about which vehicle is right for you, you will have to think about what features are most important to you and find the vehicle that offers you that. 

If you have any questions about the 2023 Subaru Impreza or either of these vehicle options, you can reach out to us at Granite Subaru.