WRX Competition?

I was cruising the internet the other day and I can't find a equal for the WRX. Any car by any other maker does not offer the same AWD car that has enough power to play with the similarly priced sport models on the road. The Mazdaspeed 3 is a possible contender and maybe the closest the WRX is going to get. The Mazdaspeed 3 is packing a 2.3 liter 263 hp turbocharged engine. The car also is packing a astounding 280 ft lbs of torque. This car packs a serious punch as far as engine power, but what it has there, it lacks in body. The car has a front wheel drive system that is nothing compared to the 60/40 split symmetrical AWD system that the WRX has. The Mazdaspeed cruises to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds because of this downfall. The WRX kicks it in 5.7 seconds beating the Mazdaspeed off the line but in the 1/4 mile runs the car comes through in style beating the WRX barely. The cars are pretty even except for Subaru's reliability rating and the obvious AWD difference. To me being able to drive in the winter is a big deal and with 263 hp the Mazdaspeed will slip and slide and spin the tires while the WRX cruises by.

Photo Courtesy of Houstoncars.org

Another possible competitor in this race is the Audi A3 with it's two models could possibly be another option versus the Subaru. The 2.0 turbo version can go 0-60 in under 7 seconds which is pretty fast for the weight. The V6 3.2 naturally aspirated engine can go 0-60 in about 6 seconds but with a price tag of nearly 40k is not worth it and is not in the same class as the WRX. The goal of the WRX was the offer power and functionality at a low cost. The A3 is slower and far less reliable then the WRX despite what some others may think. The upside is that the A3 has Audi's amazing Quattro AWD system. This is rivaling Subaru's Symmetrical AWD system in the use and handling. It is godly in the world of cars but Audi needs to realize that they need some more power behind the drive train. Photo Courtesy of Autobytel.com

The WRX is a real killer car. The car has a insane AWD system pared with the power to handle itself and blow away V8's. The car also looks really good and has some very decent options to really make it your own, not to mention the Subaru WRX reliability. Also the functionality makes it a hot ticket for just about anyone, even the price is very reasonable for the type of car that Subaru has created. Awesome.