2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Subaru Impreza

The 2021 Subaru Impreza showcased a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, which had featured bold styling elements like large round headlights and box fender flares. The current generation, while not immediately recognizable as a Subaru, was still considered a handsome design. Both the sedan and hatchback versions sported sleek headlights and taillights, enhancing the car's width impression, along with a nicely-tapered front end. The body sides featured some scalloping for visual flair, and the previously awkward wheel arch sheet metal was toned down. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models came with 16-inch steel wheels.

Built on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy, Outback, Forester, and Ascent, the Impreza benefited from improved overall refinement. Inside, the design was typical of compact cars, with the infotainment touchscreen splitting the dashboard and various forms of plastic throughout. The Impreza Sport featured contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the top-tier Impreza Limited boasted standard leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series lineup included the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3, with base prices ranging from $41,450 to $73,000, excluding a $995 destination charge. Each model had a distinct powertrain, with the 330i and 330e featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the latter paired with plug-in hybrid technology for an estimated 23 miles of electric driving range. The M340i offered a turbocharged six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology and dynamic tuning for enhanced handling. The high-performance M3 topped the lineup.

The M340i test vehicle featured Barbera Red special-order paint, Cognac-color SensaTec simulated leather upholstery, and an optional SensaTec dashboard wrap. It included the Driving Assistance and Driving Assistance Pro packages, the Premium package, the Cooling and High-Performance Tire package, and an Adaptive M Suspension, totaling $67,390 with the destination charge.

The M340i's exterior design included an M Performance treatment with exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline trim, and blue brake calipers. The Cooling and High-Performance Tire package added 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires. Inside, the SensaTec upholstery mimicked leather, and the Cognac color provided a trendy contrast against the dark cabin. The 3 Series boasted quality materials and a technical design focused on driving enjoyment.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine's unique design allowed it to be mounted lower in the chassis, lowering the car's center of gravity. Most models came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual transmission was available on the base sedan and hatchback, and the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport model also featured specific suspension tuning and a torque vectoring feature for the AWD system.

The Impreza was a solid and refined daily driver, though it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport's suspension tuning balanced ride quality and handling, while torque vectoring provided a neutral balance. However, the steering was noncommunicative, and the engine's power was insufficient for a true driver's car experience.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, producing 382 horsepower between 5,800 rpm and 6,500 rpm and 368 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode, paddle shifters, and launch control, the power flowed to the rear wheels through an M Sport differential. The M340i xDrive offered AWD, but the test vehicle did not have it.

The M340i included M Sport four-wheel ventilated-disc brakes, variable sport steering, and a standard M Sport suspension. The optional Adaptive M Suspension enhanced the car's driving dynamics. BMW claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds, and the car delivered impressive performance, with the transmission behaving flawlessly. The M340i excelled in handling, providing a thrilling driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback offered reasonable legroom, though headroom was below average. The sedan had 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the smallest among compact sedans, but a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat accommodated longer items. The hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, more than the Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla hatchback but less than the Honda Civic hatchback. With the rear seats folded, the Impreza offered 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Higher trim levels included an All-Weather Package with heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, while the Limited featured a six-way power driver’s seat and automatic climate control. A power moonroof was available on most trims.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats with ample support and a perfect driving position. The rear seat offered enough legroom for four relatively tall passengers, though the center rear seat was likely to go unused. The back seat was comfortable, with good thigh support, but the rigid plastic panels on the front seatbacks could be problematic for knees. The M340i included a three-zone automatic climate control system, with the Premium package adding a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. Heated rear seats were available, but ventilated front seats were not.

Interior storage space was decent, and the 17 cubic-foot trunk provided roomy cargo space. The back seat had a 40/20/40-split folding design with a center armrest pass-through for added utility. However, a BMW M340i sports wagon would have been preferable, but Americans' preference for SUVs meant it was not available.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza's base and Premium trims featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth, while higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. The top Limited trim offered an option package with TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display housed in a hood over the main touchscreen showed information like estimated range, but it seemed redundant given the small LCD display in the gauge cluster. Overall, the infotainment system was easy to use, with large touchscreen icons and minimal menu digging for important functions.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series came standard with Live Cockpit Professional, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and navigation. While the traditional round analog gauges were missed, the infotainment technology package worked well. BMW iDrive 7.0 was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a center console knob, touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. Gesture control was available but had mixed success. The 3 Series included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. Connected Package Pro technology was standard, with BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant for conversational voice recognition. A head-up display was available but challenging to read with polarized sunglasses. The Driving Assistance Professional package added a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and autonomous parking capability.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” award, with the highest “Good” score in all crash tests. However, they missed the “Top Safety Pick+” award due to “Marginal” standard headlights, though the Limited trim's headlights received a “Good” score. The NHTSA gave both body styles a five-star overall safety rating. The Impreza included Subaru’s EyeSight safety tech on CVT-equipped models, with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. A rear-seat reminder was standard, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights were optional.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard, with forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driving Assistance package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driving Assistance Professional package further included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, evasive-steering assist, Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, and Emergency Stop Assistant. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with models equipped with adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight qualifying for the accolade. The NHTSA awarded the 3 Series five-star ratings across the board.