4-Car Comparison

Compact Performance Showdown

2026 Acura Integra A-Spec vs 2026 Subaru Impreza RS vs 2025 Subaru WRX vs 2004 Mazda3 2.3Current

From economy to performance: comparing your options

Starting Price

$40,395
Integra
$30,690
Impreza RS
$36,920
WRX
$16,615
Mazda3 '04

Horsepower

200
Integra
180
Impreza RS
271
WRX
160
Mazda3 '04

Cargo Space

24.3
Integra (cu ft)
20.4
Impreza (cu ft)
12.5
WRX (cu ft)
11.4
Mazda3 (cu ft)

Drivetrain

FWD
Integra
AWD
Impreza RS
AWD
WRX
FWD
Mazda3 '04
💰

Pricing

Specification Integra A-Spec w/Tech Impreza RS WRX Premium (6MT) Mazda3 s (2004)
MSRP $40,395 $30,690 $36,920 $16,615 (original)
Transmission Options 6-speed Manual or CVT CVT Only 6-speed Manual or CVT 5-speed Manual or 4-sp Auto
Body Style 5-door Hatchback 5-door Hatchback 4-door Sedan 4-door Sedan

Engine & Drivetrain

Specification Integra A-Spec w/Tech Impreza RS WRX Premium Mazda3 s (2004)
Engine 1.5L Turbo I4 VTEC 2.5L Boxer H4 2.4L Turbo Boxer H4 2.3L DOHC I4
Aspiration Turbocharged Naturally Aspirated Turbocharged Naturally Aspirated
Horsepower 200 @ 6,000 rpm 180 @ 5,800 rpm 271 @ 5,600 rpm 160 @ 6,500 rpm
Torque 192 lb-ft @ 1,800-5,000 178 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm 258 lb-ft @ 2,000-5,200 150 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
Redline 6,500 rpm ~6,600 rpm ~6,000 rpm 6,500 rpm
Transmission (as compared) 6-speed Manual CVT w/8-Speed Mode 6-speed Manual 5-speed Manual
Drivetrain Front-Wheel Drive Symmetrical AWD Symmetrical AWD Front-Wheel Drive
Limited-Slip Differential ✓ Helical LSD ✗ Open Diff ✓ Viscous Center + Torque Vectoring ✗ Open Diff
Required Fuel Premium 91 Octane Regular Unleaded Premium 91 Octane Regular Unleaded
0-60 mph ~7.0 sec 7.8 sec 5.5 sec ~7.4-8.0 sec

Fuel Economy

Specification Integra A-Spec (6MT) Impreza RS WRX Premium (6MT) Mazda3 s (2004)
City MPG 26 mpg 26 mpg 19 mpg 22 mpg
Highway MPG 36 mpg 33 mpg 26 mpg 29 mpg
Combined MPG 30 mpg 29 mpg 22 mpg 25 mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity 12.4 gallons 16.6 gallons 16.6 gallons 14.5 gallons
Est. Highway Range ~446 miles ~548 miles ~432 miles ~421 miles
📐

Dimensions & Capacity

Specification Integra A-Spec Impreza RS WRX Premium Mazda3 s (2004)
Wheelbase 107.7 in 105.1 in 105.2 in 103.9 in
Overall Length 186.4 in 176.2 in 183.8 in 178.7 in
Width 72.4 in 70.1 in 71.9 in 69.1 in
Height 55.5 in 58.3 in 57.8 in 57.7 in
Ground Clearance ~5.0 in 5.1 in 5.4 in 5.7 in
Curb Weight ~3,062 lbs ~3,286 lbs ~3,351 lbs ~2,762 lbs
Cargo Space (Seats Up) 24.3 cu ft 20.4 cu ft 12.5 cu ft 11.4 cu ft
Cargo Space (Seats Down) ~47 cu ft 56.0 cu ft N/A (sedan) N/A (sedan)
Passenger Volume 95.8 cu ft 100.5 cu ft 97.5 cu ft 105.7 cu ft
Regulation Lobster Capacity* ~175 lobsters 🦞 ~145 lobsters 🦞 ~90 lobsters 🦞 ~80 lobsters 🦞

*Based on regulation-size lobsters (3.25" minimum carapace, ~9" total length) at approximately 65% packing efficiency. Results may vary based on lobster cooperation and local fishing regulations.

⚖️

Power-to-Weight Ratios

Metric Integra A-Spec Impreza RS WRX Premium Mazda3 s (2004)
lbs per hp 15.31 18.26 12.36 17.26
hp per lb 0.065 0.055 0.081 0.058
lbs per lb-ft 15.95 18.46 12.99 18.41
🪑

Interior & Comfort

Feature Integra A-Spec Impreza RS WRX Premium Mazda3 s (2004)
Front Seat Material Microsuede Sport Cloth w/Red Sport Cloth w/Red Cloth
Driver's Seat 12-Way Power w/Lumbar 10-Way Power (optional) 6-Way Manual Manual w/Lumbar
Seat Memory ✓ 2-Position
Heated Front Seats
Climate Control Dual-Zone Auto Dual-Zone Auto Dual-Zone Auto Single-Zone Manual
Sunroof/Moonroof ✓ Power Optional Optional
Keyless Entry/Start Remote Keyless Entry
📱

Infotainment & Technology

Feature Integra A-Spec Impreza RS WRX Premium Mazda3 s (2004)
Touchscreen 9-inch 11.6-inch Portrait 11.6-inch Portrait N/A
Digital Gauge Cluster 10.2-inch 4.2-inch LCD 7-inch LCD Analog
Head-Up Display ✓ 5.3-inch
Apple CarPlay ✓ Wireless ✓ Wireless ✓ Wireless
Android Auto ✓ Wireless ✓ Wireless ✓ Wireless
Wireless Charging
Audio System ELS Studio 3D (16 spkr) Harman Kardon (10 spkr, opt) 6 Speakers 6 Speakers
Navigation Via smartphone Via smartphone Optional DVD-based
🛡️

Safety & Driver Assistance

Feature Integra A-Spec Impreza RS WRX Premium Mazda3 s (2004)
Adaptive Cruise Control ✓ EyeSight ✓ EyeSight Standard Cruise
Lane Keeping Assist
Automatic Emergency Braking
Blind-Spot Monitoring
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Backup Camera ✓ Multi-Angle
Parking Sensors ✓ Front & Rear
ABS Optional
📋

Warranty

Coverage Integra A-Spec Impreza RS WRX Premium Mazda3 s (2004)
Basic Warranty 4 yr / 50,000 mi 3 yr / 36,000 mi 3 yr / 36,000 mi 4 yr / 50,000 mi
Powertrain Warranty 6 yr / 70,000 mi 5 yr / 60,000 mi 5 yr / 60,000 mi 4 yr / 50,000 mi
Corrosion Warranty Unlimited / Unlimited 5 yr / Unlimited 5 yr / Unlimited 5 yr / Unlimited
Complimentary Maintenance 1 yr / 12,000 mi

The Bottom Line

Acura Integra A-Spec

  • Premium features & build quality
  • Manual transmission available
  • Best audio system (ELS Studio 3D)
  • Head-up display & adaptive dampers
  • Most cargo space (24.3 cu ft)
  • Best fuel economy of the new cars
  • Longest warranty coverage
  • Most expensive option

Subaru Impreza RS

  • Lowest price of the new cars
  • Standard AWD
  • Runs on regular fuel
  • Largest fuel tank (16.6 gal)
  • Best highway range (~548 mi)
  • Largest cargo w/seats down (56 cu ft)
  • No manual transmission
  • Least powerful engine

Subaru WRX

  • Most powerful (271 hp)
  • Fastest 0-60 (5.5 sec)
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • 6-speed manual + AWD
  • Rally heritage & handling
  • Worst fuel economy
  • Sedan only (smallest cargo)
  • Requires premium fuel

2004 Mazda3 (Current Car)

  • Lightest car (~2,762 lbs)
  • 20+ years proven reliability
  • Simple, no-frills ownership
  • Most passenger volume
  • Runs on regular fuel
  • No modern safety tech
  • Smallest cargo space
  • Least powerful

The WRX offers the most performance for enthusiasts who prioritize speed and AWD.
The Integra balances luxury, practicality, and driving fun with a manual option.
The Impreza RS is the budget-friendly AWD choice for daily driving.
Your Mazda3 remains a lightweight, reliable baseline for comparison.