2017 head-to-head · Compact Car

2017 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.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,453/ year to fuel
32 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$2,576/ year to fuel
23 MPG

The 2017 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 $1,453 a year to fuel (32 MPG), versus $2,576 for the 2017 Subaru WRX (23 MPG). That's roughly $1,123 a year, or about $5,615 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 3Subaru WRX
$1,453 Your annual fuel cost $2,576
32 MPG Combined efficiency 23 MPG
28 MPG City 20 MPG
37 MPG Highway 27 MPG
96 cu ft Passenger volume 97 cu ft
12 cu ft Cargo volume 12 cu ft
281 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 385 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

Among 50 2017 compact cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 14th and the Subaru WRX 42nd for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Mazda 3 or the 2017 Subaru WRX?

Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 is rated 32 MPG combined and the Subaru WRX 23 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 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 $1,453 for the Mazda 3 and $2,576 for the Subaru WRX.

Mazda 3 vs Subaru WRX in other years

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