2024 Subaru WRX vs Competitors
Overview
The idea of sporty compact cars has existed for quite some time. Many automakers have successfully taken this approach, offering vehicles that combine thrilling driving dynamics with practical daily usability. From carving through winding roads to navigating the urban jungle, these pocket rockets promise to add excitement to every drive. That said, each brand uses a different formula to stand out and attract buyers.
With this in mind, let’s compare the Subaru WRX, one of the most loved sporty compacts, to its main rivals: the Honda Civic Type R, the Hyundai Elantra N, and the Mazda3 Turbo Sedan. Unless we mention otherwise, this match-up looks at the base trims of each vehicle for the 2024 model year.
View Inventory
Originality
Subaru’s foray into the performance-oriented compact sedan started in the 1990s with WRX-themed versions of its the Impreza. But about a decade ago, the WRX became its own full-fledged model in Subaru’s lineup, casting aside its economy-car roots. Today’s WRXs have a unique body style that isn’t shared with other Subarus.
In contrast, these competing vehicles share most of their underpinnings with less-expensive versions of the same vehicle. A casual observer may have trouble distinguishing a Honda Civic Type R from a Honda Civic LX Hatchback that costs $20,000 less. The same goes for the Hyundai Elantra N and Mazda3 Turbo.
Price
Buyers looking to maximize their performance dollars will find that the starting price of the Subaru WRX ($32,735) is noticeably less than that of the Elantra N ($33,700) and the Civic Type R ($44,795). The Mazda3 Turbo is $985 less than the WRX, but see the “Drivetrain” section later on this page for an explanation of this difference.
The Limited ramps things up with a power moonroof, Ultrasuede upholstery, steering-responsive headlights (the beams are pointed in the direction of the front wheels), and a ten-way power driver's seat. The TR trim adds a stronger performance edge to the WRX with Brembo brakes, a performance-tuned suspension, Recaro front seats, an eight-way power driver's seat, and 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires. (To save weight and lower the center of gravity, this trim skips the moonroof.) At the top of the lineup, the GT expands on the Limited’s features list by adding adaptive suspension dampers, a drive mode selector, Recaro front seats, an eight-way power driver's seat, and 18-inch wheels.
Trims
A one-size-fits-all approach to car trims doesn’t work for every buyer. Subaru recognizes this by offering the WRX in five grades, ranging from the Base edition to the top-of-the-line GT. The Mazda3 Turbo is not a distinct model but a trim level at the upper end of the Mazda3 range, which presents other choices to buyers: the lower-cost Carbon and the pricier Turbo Premium Plus. In contrast, there are singular versions of both the Elantra N and Civic Type R, meaning that Hyundai and Honda shoppers can’t make a choice with the same performance levels within their chosen brand.
Cost of Ownership
Edmunds investigates the ownership costs of many vehicles, and its analysis of the WRX and its competitors yields insightful results. These projections examine how these vehicles stack up all of the related costs over five years of operating a specific model.
Depreciation may not matter now, but it will down the road. Edmunds forecasts that the WRX will lose $13,126 in value compared to $20,163 for the Civic Type R. The Elantra N and Mazda3 Turbo also take a hit at $16,533 and $14,061, respectively. It’s also helpful to consider that a lower MSRP leads to lower borrowing costs. Edmunds reports that this adds up to $6,500 for the WRX, while a Civic Type R owner will spend $8,979. The numbers come in at $7,186 for the Elantra N and a near-matching $6,490 for the Mazda3 Turbo.
Drivetrain
For most buyers in this segment, the greatest separator among these four sporty compacts is the drivetrain. The Elantra N and Civic Type R are strictly front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicles, which presents more significant driving limitations during bad weather. FWD is fine for most daily driving, but it can fall short against slippery roadways. Another shortfall is the tendency of FWD cars with powerful engines to be vulnerable to torque steer, a condition that leads to uneven power distribution between the front wheels. Torque steer can be unsettling, especially during spirited driving.
The WRX and Mazda3 Turbo are only available with all-wheel drive. These drivetrains provide extra driver confidence when the weather is less cooperative, plus they are much less susceptible to torque steer. But let’s compare these two AWD systems. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive delivers continuous power, providing constant traction on all four corners. Mazda takes a different approach with a reactive system that only engages all four wheels when it detects slippage. The rest of the time, the Mazda3 Turbo is driving on just its front wheels.
