2021 head-to-head · Compact Car
2021 Mazda 3 vs Subaru WRX
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2021 Mazda 3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,500 a year to fuel (31 MPG), versus $2,576 for the 2021 Subaru WRX (23 MPG). That's roughly $1,076 a year, or about $5,380 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Mazda 3
- Subaru WRX
Side by side
| Mazda 3 | Subaru WRX | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,576 |
| 31 MPG | Combined efficiency | 23 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 20 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 27 MPG |
| 93 cu ft | Passenger volume | 97 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| 287 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 390 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| FWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Mazda 3 vs Subaru WRX across model years
- Mazda 3
- Subaru WRX
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Subaru WRX has more passenger space (97 vs. 93 cu ft); the Mazda 3 has more cargo space (13 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 37 2021 compact cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 13th and the Subaru WRX 33rd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Mazda 3 or the 2021 Subaru WRX?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 is rated 31 MPG combined and the Subaru WRX 23 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Mazda 3 vs. the Subaru WRX per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,500 for the Mazda 3 and $2,576 for the Subaru WRX.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mazda 3, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Mazda 3 vs Subaru WRX in other years
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