Mazda 6 Grand Touring vs Subaru WRX
Verdict
The Subaru WRX is the expensive, harder-hitting choice at RM286,245, with 271 hp, 375 Nm, a manual gearbox and all-wheel drive. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring costs RM230,848 and plays a different game: wagon body, 522 litres of boot space, conventional automatic, front-wheel drive and a recorded 8.2-second 0-100 km/h time. For Malaysia, the RM55,397 gap is really a choice between WRX performance hardware and Mazda space, comfort-biased packaging and lower purchase price.
Pick the Mazda 6 Grand Touring if you want the bigger, more practical wagon with an automatic gearbox and 522 litres of boot space.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want the stronger 271 hp and 375 Nm output, manual gearbox and all-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 6 Grand Touring RM230,848; Subaru WRX RM286,245
- Power and torque: Mazda 6 Grand Touring 185 hp/250 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp/375 Nm
- Transmission and drive: Mazda 6 Grand Touring conventional automatic/FWD; Subaru WRX manual/AWD
- Size: Mazda 6 Grand Touring 4,800 mm long with 2,750 mm wheelbase; Subaru WRX 4,669 mm long with 2,672 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Mazda 6 Grand Touring 522 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres
- Road tax: Mazda 6 Grand Touring RM868 a year; Subaru WRX RM767 a year
6 Grand Touring
- Lower RM230,848 price
- Larger 522-litre boot
- Conventional automatic suits daily traffic
- Much lower output at 185 hp and 250 Nm
- Front-wheel drive, not all-wheel drive
- Higher RM868 annual road tax
WRX
- Strong 271 hp and 375 Nm outputs
- Manual gearbox with all-wheel drive
- Seven airbags versus six
- Costs RM55,397 more
- Smaller 411-litre boot
- Shorter 2,672 mm wheelbase
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 230,848✓ | RM 286,245 |
| Body type | Wagon | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Flat 4 |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 89 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.2 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 218 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,800 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,480 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,506 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable 8-way Driver's Seat with Memory, Power Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Front, tilt and slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 2 rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Touch-screen with radio, CD, MP3, AUX, USB and Bluetooth, 11 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 868 | RM 767✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
6 Grand Touring vs WRX FAQ
Is the Mazda 6 Grand Touring or Subaru WRX better?
The Subaru WRX is better for performance, with 271 hp, 375 Nm, manual transmission and AWD. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring is better for practicality, with a wagon body, automatic gearbox and a 522-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM55,397 more than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring. That gap mainly buys a lot more power and torque, all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, while the Mazda gives you more boot space for less money.
Which one has more luggage space?
The Mazda 6 Grand Touring has the larger boot at 522 litres. The Subaru WRX has 411 litres, so the Mazda is the easier choice if airport runs, balik kampung bags or family load space matter.