Since this doesn't really exist online, I figured I'd make it so that I had something at which I could look when considering what I might buy at some point.
| 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 | 2009 Subaru WRX | |
| MSRP | $23,945 | $24,995 |
| Engine Type | 2.3L DOHC DISI turbo 4-cylinder with VVT | 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged aluminum-alloy 16-valve 4-cylinder horizontally opposed SuBaRu BOXER® engine. |
| Power | 263 hp @ 5500 rpm | 265 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm | 244 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 | 8.4:1 |
| Max Boost | 15.5 PSI | 14.2 PSI |
| Drivetrain type | Front-wheel drive (FWD) | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Transmission | 6-speed close-ratio Manual Transmission | Fully synchronized 5-speed manual with Incline Start assist |
| Turning Diameter | 36.1 ft | 35.4 ft |
| City FE | 18 | 18 |
| Hwy FE | 25 | 25 |
| Combined FE | 22.5 | 22.5 |
| Required Octane | 91 Premium | 91 Premium |
| Curb Weight | 3221 lbs | 3174 lbs |
| 0-60 | 6.1 sec (C&D says 5.6 sec) | 5.0 sec (C&D says 4.8 sec) |
| Quarter Mile | 14.4 sec. @ 99.5 mph | 13.7 sec. @ 98.7 mph |
| Breaking Distance | 113 ft. | 107 ft. |
| HP/Weight Ratio | 0.08165 | 0.08349 |
| Tire Size | P225/40R18 Y-speed rated | 225/45 R17 summer-performance |
I also read some of the reviews on each of these cars to see what professional drivers think of them.
On the Mazdaspeed 3, Edmund's noted that it's not as quick from 0-60 as the previous generation. The reason, apparently, is that Mazda tried to do something to dampen the torque steer inherent in the Mazdaspeed 3. As a result, it doesn't shift as quickly. They also say that won't rotate off-throttle. It is very stable in turns, and handles very well.
On the Subaru WRX, Edmund's says that turning is a little "doughy," but that you can rotate off-throttle and get good grip when exiting a turn. It seems from the comments that, despite not being the most precise handling, Edmund's likes it.
It's worth noting, however, that Motor Trend got wildly different numbers in some cases. They had the Mazdaspeed 3 at 5.6 seconds 0-60 mph, and the WRX at 4.8 seconds 0-60 mph.
In any case, it looks like the Mazdaspeed 3 has stiffer, more responsive suspension and costs less, whereas the WRX is faster in general, with more "give" in the drivetrain.
Configuring them to be as identical as possible, the WRX would cost $27,041 to have the same base feature set as the Mazdaspeed 3, and would not include a navigation system or a premium sound system. The Mazdaspeed 3 with the tech package includes those features, and costs $26,040, but lacks all-wheel drive. Objectively speaking, that's the difference. I haven't driven either, though, so I don't know which I would like better subjectively. The Mazdaspeed 3 has a better feature set. For $1,001 more, the WRX has all-wheel drive and is generally faster.
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