BMW M3 vs Subaru WRX
What's the difference?

BMW M3

$124,800 - $179,990

2023 price

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Subaru WRX

$48,190 - $63,990

2026 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-AMG E63

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2023 BMW M3

2026 Subaru WRX

By Andrew Chesterton

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 6, 3.0L

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Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

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Fuel Efficiency

10.4L/100km (combined)

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Seating

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Likes

Brutal acceleration
Surprisingly compliant in the city
Boot space for days

Drive modes
Performance car you can live with
Manual gearbox

Dislikes

Carbon pack a little (a lot) silly
Thirsty as all get out
Design a little polarising (though I like it)

Thirsty engine
No extra power over rest of range
No rear parking sensors

2023 BMW M3 Summary

There’s no point waxing too lyrical here, because the facts surrounding the M3 Touring are more than exciting enough.

It’s a (kind of) family friendly wagon with oodles of space and practicality. It’s also an unhinged performance weapon with a thumping 3.0-litre twin-turbo-petrol inline six-cylinder engine.

And it has been years — decades, even — in the making. So, has it been worth the wait? Let’s strap in and find out.

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2026 Subaru WRX Summary

The Subaru WRX – do we even need to introduce this iconic beastie at all? With its rally winning roots to being a legend in its own suburb, the ‘Rex’ is a sports car that’s affordable and fun – although the one we’re testing here is one of the pricier versions: the WRX tS Spec B.

So what is a tS Spec B? Well, the old king of the WRX world – the STI – was retired at the end of the previous generation. Now this new grade – the tS Spec B – is the new WRX monarch.

So does this mean the tS Spec B has more superpower than the rest of the line-up? Does it have a bigger engine? How much more does it cost? Does it have a manual gearbox? So many questions – the answers are below.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 BMW M3 2026 Subaru WRX

Verdict

Long live the mighty wagon. The BMW M3 Touring is treat to look at, and an even bigger treat to drive.

If you want one, act fast. We waited a long time for a wagon-shaped M3, and with electrification increasing in the automotive industry, this will likely be your last chance.

Verdict

Possibly one of the most perfect performance cars you can drive daily for the price. Dynamic and fun to drive, but also easy to live with thanks to the drive modes for extra comfort, the high ground clearance and the practicality that comes with four doors, lots of storage and a big boot.

The tS Spec B is the priciest WRX in the range, but compared to rivals it's also great value. A car I would buy with my own money for sure.

BMW M3 vs Subaru WRX What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BMW M3 vs Subaru WRX
What's the difference?