A hatchback war continues in a world with very few of them. The 2024 Mazda3 goes up against the 2024 Subaru Impreza to give you two hatchbacks to enjoy driving.

When you want a little extra space in the rear of your car but want to drive a small car that’s built close to the ground, these two hatchbacks give you a bit of what you need. In today’s world, SUVs are often chosen to meet these needs, but if you’re looking for a vehicle that’s built closer to the ground, you’ll be glad to know there are still hatchbacks available to you.

Which car looks better?

The Subaru Impreza has been redesigned to be sportier and more aggressive. This small car wears an enlarged grille with aggressive headlights. The front ace also features scoops on the front bumper that include the fog lights on upper-trim models of the Impreza. Two of the three trims emphasize performance over practicality.

Turning to the Mazda3, you’ll find a small car with sleek styling and impressive performance. This Mazda has a low, aggressive front end with a long hood and narrow headlights that flank a large grille. The rear features a sports coupe look while maintaining the hatchback style.

Will you choose the styling of the Subaru Impreza or the Mazda3?

Going inside for impressive style

The cabin area of the Mazda3 features upscale premium materials and a minimal and sporty feeling. These materials and the styling offered give this little Mazda a better look than some sports cars. You’ll find an 8.8-inch infotainment screen with a 10.25-inch screen offered on higher trims.

If you look at what the Subaru Impreza offers, you’ll find an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. This is a step above the Mazda, which doesn’t have touchscreen capabilities for the smaller unit. The Impreza doesn’t have the attractive materials of the Mazda, but the larger screen and touch capabilities could be a better choice for some drivers.

Which car is better for passengers?

Although the Mazda3 has an attractive interior with impressive premium materials, its difficult to fit adults in the rear seats. The front seats are comfortable and give you the seating you want on either leatherette or genuine leather.

The Subaru Impreza is much more accommodating when compared to the Mazda3. This hatchback fits adults in the front and back seats and its easy to get into and out of. Every Impreza comes with cloth, heated front seats for every trim except the base model.

For comfort, the Impreza stands up tall against the Mazda hatchback.

Which hatchback carries more cargo?

One of the most important reasons to buy a hatchback is to enjoy the benefits of a large and versatile cargo area. The Impreza can hold up to 20.4 cubic feet of stuff behind the rear seats in their upright position. When folded, you’ll have 56.0 cubic feet of space for your stuff. These are essentially the same figures as the Subaru Crosstrek SUV.

The Mazda3 holds cargo as well, but not as much as the Subaru Impreza. This small hatchback holds up to 20.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 47.1 cubic feet when the seats are folded down.

Which hatchback has better handling capabilities?

The Impreza might not be the sportiest hatchback that you’ll find available to you. Even the RS model, which is supposed to be a sporty version, offers a smooth and comfortable ride, but not a sporty ride. The Impreza benefits from the standard Symmetrical AWD system. Unfortunately, when faced with a winding road, the steering and handling are light and vague, not engaged at all.

The Mazda3 is a completely different animal when put up against the Subaru Impreza. This little Mazda is made to thrill you with its incredible steering, ride, and handling that feels natural and controlled on any road. This is an incredible car with the agility you want out on the road. The only knock on the Mazda3 is the lack of AWD, which is only offered on the upper trim levels.

Which hatchback is better?

The Subaru Impreza has its redeeming qualities while being spacious, comfortable, and a solid performer. This little hatchback has standard AWD, but its not a match for the sporty Mazda3. The Mazda3 has upscale features, impressive performance, and excellent driving manners.

When it comes to the Subaru Impreza vs Mazda3 conversation, you’ll lean more toward the Mazda when you want actual driving performance. If you want a better infotainment system and more room in the cabin, the Subaru will be the right car for you.