2025 Subaru Impreza vs 2025 Mazda3
Shopping for the best choice of a family passenger vehicle may seem daunting with so many brands and models all vying for your attention.
Our article helps readers by comparing two top-notch Japanese contenders in the compact passenger vehicle segment.
Read on as we share what the 2025 Subaru Impreza and the 2025 Mazda3 are all about.
2025 Subaru Impreza
Subaru offers the latest sixth-generation Impreza in a five-door hatchback configuration only.
The Subaru Impreza received a recent redesign for the 2024 model year, and buying choices are made a lot less complicated with three well-curated trim levels: Base, Sport, and the range topper, rally-inspired RS trim.
2025 Mazda3
The current fourth-generation Mazda3 is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles.
No significant changes are made for the 2025 model year aside from some trim-dependent upgrades to the interior trim, infotainment, and drivetrain.
Buyers get to pick from a lineup of six trim levels of the sedan and seven trim levels when choosing the hatchback.
Exterior Design Comparison
The Subaru Impreza's exterior styling will appeal to buyers with a penchant for sporty looks. The Impreza rides on a 105.1-inch wheelbase, featuring strong, contoured body lines backed by an aggressive stance measuring 176.2 inches in length.
Standout exterior highlights are the LED steering-responsive headlights and daytime running lights, while upper trims get the fog light treatment.
The Base trim offers black folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals, while the Sport trim's mirrors are finished in body color, and the RS trim's outside mirrors feature a Crystal Black Silica finish.
Convenient roof crossbar mounting points are standard, and all trims feature a rear roof spoiler, adding to the compact hatchback's sporty good looks.
Base trims make use of 16 x 6.5-inch steel wheels with covers, while the two upper trim levels receive 18 x 7.5-inch aluminum-alloy wheels finished in a machined dark gray. Shoppers get to pick from a palette of seven exterior colors.
The 2025 Mazda3 in both sedan and hatchback body styles offers an aesthetically striking exterior with plenty of elegant curves and angles riding on a wheelbase of 107.3 inches.
The sedan measures 183.5 inches long, while the hatchback is substantially shorter and closer in length to the Impreza at 175.6 inches.
Standout exterior features on the Mazda are auto on/off LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers, and a front grille finished in matt black mesh or gloss black, depending on the trim level.
LED combination tail lights and body-colored or gloss black dual power-folding side mirrors are fitted depending on trim level.
All Mazda3 trims ride on 18-inch alloys, aside from the base trim that gets 16-inch alloy wheels.
Interior Comparisons
The 2025 Impreza seats five passengers in its modern and practical cabin with a generous lineup of comfort and convenience features such as electronic cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control system, power windows, and power side mirrors.
All trims are fitted with manually adjustable front seats, with heated front seats as an option. Cloth trim is found on all trims. The Sport offers cloth with red contrast stitching, and the top RS trim is finished in cloth upholstery with red accents.
The Impreza's instrument cluster features a speedometer and tachometer with a 4.2-inch LCD display plus a 3-spoke steering wheel with integrated audio controls.
RS models receive a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, plus aluminum alloy pedal covers.
Infotainment comprises a Subaru Starlink Dual 7.0-inch Multimedia system or an available 11.6-inch Subaru Starlink Multimedia Plus system on top trims.
The 2025 Mazda3 accommodates five passengers in a thoughtfully designed interior space with premium materials and top-tier Japanese craftsmanship. Even in the base trim, there is no shortage of luxury and comfort features.
A dual-zone automatic climate control system is found in all trims except the base trim, which has a manual air conditioning system.
Key interior features include:
- 7-inch LCD instrument gauge display
- Power windows with a one-touch up/down feature
- Power door locks - speed-sensitive auto door locks
- Steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise control switches
The Mazda3 's infotainment equipment includes a six-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics and a standard 8.8-inch full-color center display or a 10.25-inch screen, depending on trim. Standard features also include voice command, Mazda Connected Services, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Cargo Space
The Impreza has 20.4 cubic feet of cargo space on offer behind the 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatbacks, which expands to 56 cubic feet with the seats folded down.
The Mazda3 sedan offers an EPA cargo volume of 13.2 cubic feet, while the hatchback allows cargo loading of up to 20.1 cubic feet. Both body styles offer 60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks.
Powertrain Differences
For 2025, both the Impreza Base and Sport trims are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque.
The sporty RS trim is fitted with a larger 2.5-liter engine that pushes out 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.
Standard is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) along with Subaru's legendary all-wheel drive, offering drivers sure-footed handling regardless of road conditions.
The Mazda3 lineup also offers two engine fitments.
A naturally aspirated 2.5-liter SKYACTIV four-cylinder produces 191 horsepower and 189 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version of this engine makes 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.
A SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission with manual and sport modes is fitted, sending power to the front wheels or a Mazda iACTIV AWD, depending on trim level.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
The 2025 Subaru Impreza achieved a 5-Star National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Overall Vehicle rating.
A generous list of safety equipment is standard, and Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance technology offers features that include lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, vehicle dynamics control, plus more.
The Mazda3 offers a comprehensive suite of standard and available safety features, including Mazda's i-Activsense technology..
The 2025 Mazda3 sedan won an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award plus an NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating.
Purchase the 2025 Subaru Impreza at Granite Subaru
Visit or make contact with the dedicated team at the Granite Subaru Dealership to test drive and discover more about the 2025 Subaru Impreza lineup.
Granite Subaru offers its customers hassle-free new and pre-owned vehicle shopping along with exceptional professional after-sales service and repairs, ensuring you the best Subaru driving experience.
