2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Vs Subaru WRX
Are we all up to speed and comfortable with the EcoBoost-powered Ford Mustang yet? The pony car with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine has been quite the enigma for the past year, but we’ve figured it out as a performance-oriented replacement for the old V6 Mustang. This heartily charged stallion is for the enthusiast who wants the most bang for their buck.
But there’s one other car that stands in the way of the Mustang being named the best performance bargain on the road; the one we’ve already dubbed as the best affordable sports car. With four-doors and all-wheel drive, the Subaru WRX surprised the entire AutoGuide.com crew last year, beating out six other cars in a very tight comparison that involved both a track and a road test.
Opposites attract, and at first glance, these two rides don’t seem to be direct competitors. One is a spiced up version of a compact car, while the other is an icon of American muscle. Looking at the power numbers, the Mustang holds a distinct power advantage, while the Subaru is 265 lbs lighter. The closest these two will get on paper is with their price tags, as the Subaru rings in at $27,090 as tested ($31,976 CAD) while the Mustang is $29,790 ($34,699 CAD).
Style Game
If you buy a sports car to get noticed, then the Mustang is the clear winner here. The modern design turns heads, especially with the LED headlights and sequentially blinking tail lights. The long hood and short deck help make its sporty persona obvious in a way that the WRX can’t.
While the Mustang doesn’t sound as intimidating, its powerplant is quite potent. The 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 310 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The WRX utilizes a 2.0-liter flat four that’s turbocharged to make 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
How They Feel
The behaviour of these engines is dramatically different. The Mustang’s power delivery is smooth and calm, building power gradually until you look at the speedo and realize just how fast you’re moving. The WRX is raw; it blasts you forward with a huge surge of power early on and keeps going until it’s time to change gear. I compared the WRX to a rocket ship when piloting it around the track for our under-$30,000 sports car shootout last summer. A year removed from that event and even when compared to a more powerful car, the Subaru still feels impressively fast.
Rowing through the gears in either car is satisfying. Both cars have great, tactile shift action with well-weighted clutches and notchy gearsticks. The throws in the Mustang feel slightly stiffer, requiring a bit more muscle to slot into gear.
Inside Story
Finally, the optional Recaro seats in the Mustang are noteworthy for being extra comfortable and supportive. Once you sit in it, you never want to get out.
On the road, the Mustang feels friendlier when driven over cracks and potholes. It doesn’t bounce and skip like the WRX does. A major complaint about the Mustang’s steering is how unnatural it feels. It springs back to center a little too eagerly, and there isn’t much feedback in the wheel. The WRX has a more natural, neutral feel through the wheel, and offers excellent feedback. Pushing hard into a corner, you expect the all-wheel-drive WRX to have some understeer, but the car is remarkably balanced. Despite the stiffer chassis and suspension of our Performance Package equipped Mustang, the coupe exhibited more some body roll. Fortunately, it’s nicely composed and will rotate nicely when you apply a good foot full of extra throttle.
Compare Specs
Vehicle | 2015 Ford Mustang | Advantage | 2015 Subaru WRX |
---|---|---|---|
Engine | 2.3 L Turbocharged four-cylinder | - | 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer four |
Power | 310 hp | Mustang | 268 hp |
Torque | 320 lb-ft | Mustang | 258 lb-ft |
Weight | 3,531 lbs | WRX | 3,267 |
Fuel Economy US | 22 MPG City, 31 MPG Highway | Mustang | 21 MPG City, 28 MPG Highway |
Fuel Economy CDN | 10.6 L/100 km city, 7.5 L/100 km highway | Mustang | 11.3 l/100 kms city, 8.4 l/100 kms highway |
Observed Fuel Economy | 22 MPG | WRX | 24 MPG |
Starting Price(US) | $26,125 | Mustang | $27,090 |
Starting Price (CAD) | $29,999 | Mustang | $31,976.15 |
As Tested Price (US) | $29,715 | WRX | $27,090 |
As Tested Price (CAD) | $34,699 | WRX | $31,976.15 |
Comparing features between the two cars, you can see they are pretty equally matched. Both cars have an uphill start assist that will hold the brake for you when engaging first on an incline (so you don’t roll back) and both have rear-view cameras as standard equipment. The WRX sports a touch-screen audio system and automatic climate control. While both cars feature split folding rear seats, there’s no denying the WRX’s practicality. The rear doors and extra space for passengers help give this car a real leg up over the Mustang. The final bullet in this shootout is the WRX’s all-weather capability, thanks to its all-wheel drive.
The Verdict: 2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost vs Subaru WRX
While the 2015 Mustang is a solid car, you’ll find the more powerful V8 model as the must-have version. At under $30k, this EcoBoost feels heavy and less engaging than other rivals at this price point. The Subaru WRX is fast, engaging and practical, making it the best value and better sports car in this segment.
2015 Subaru WRX, 2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
LOVE IT
- Feels fast
- Practical
- All-weather capability
- Smooth Engine
- Transmission
- Nice Interior
LEAVE IT
- Starlink infotainment system
- Bland interior
- Heavy
- Feels unengaging
- Visibility
Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.
More by Sami Haj-Assaad
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He mentions how heavy the Mustang is repeatedly, but it still has a better power to weight ratio then the Rex, so I don't see what the big deal is.
Power? Torque? "Wow, you can read the brochure" comes to mind. Are we rating tractors or towing trailers with these cars? Only thing that matters is 0-60 times, regardless of whether a sports car has 1hp or 1000hp. WRX: 5.1 seconds Ecoboost mustang : 5.6 seconds Screw your power!