The sportier option would be the 2010 Mazda3, but for practicality and utility, the Impreza 2.5i is a good choice. Even in its non-‘Speed version, the Mazda3 is a joy to take around a racetrack. The Impreza 2.5i, on the other hand, is practical for its all-wheel drive, additional cargo space and lower entry-level price.
Mazda’s hatchback 3 is a more expensive trim level on the 3 lineup, starting at $19,230 not including a $750 destination charge; a Mazda3 sedan starts at $15,045. The Impreza hatchback 2.5i starts at $17,995, not including the $695 destination charge.
Gas mileage isn’t a strong suit for either of these hatches. The Mazda3’s 21/29 mpg city/highway rating for the manual and 22/29 mpg for the optional automatic are low for the compact class; it comes with a more-powerful four-cylinder compared with the Mazda3 sedan. The Impreza is even less efficient, thanks in part to all-wheel drive, at 20/27 mpg with the manual and 20/26 with the optional automatic.
Another worthy option is the previous 2009 Mazda3, which for $18,625 is still a very good car, and it currently has a bunch of incentives to make room on lots for the 2010. These offers include up to $1,500 cash back on a 2009 sedan or hatchback, or financing rates as low as 1.9 percent for 36 months to qualified buyers.
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Having test driven both of those, the Mazda3 handles and accelerates a lot better, at least where I live and drive (SE US, urban and suburban environments). The 2010 version is built a lot better than the 2009 version or the Subaru Impreza. I really wanted to like the Subaru, but left the dealership feeling disappointed in the comparison. We actually ended up picking up the Mazda 3 hatch (grand touring) instead of an 09' Acura TSX, though it was a tough decision. Fuel economy for us is pretty much the same as the EPA estimate, and we typically get 25 - 26 mpg, mixed.
jn - how come you didn't like the acura? or, why did you pick the mazda over the acura? thanks.
Sweet video review of the Mazda3: http://tinyurl.com/knn94m
With the 2010 mazdaspeed 3 I typical get 21-22 in city (which includes using the turbo for brief fast accels, 10% of time). I have gotten 29 max on long distance highway never going above 70mph. Majority highway/some mixed with no turbo use I have gotten about 27 mpg.
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I can tell you I get much better mpg than listed for the mazda3, and I have a speed to boot. I get about 23/34 generally speaking, and I live in Boston, so the city is real city. Without the turbo, and with judicious driving (which I'm also bad at), I'm sure you could get much better numbers with the mazda3. And there's no way you're going to get better mileage with the auto in real life.