Alpina B3 vs Subaru WRX Sportswagon
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Wagons compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 31 Aug 2026, price 10 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Alpina B3: we're still completing price, width, seat count, transmission and warranty, plus 2 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
No price
- no option data for this car
$52,290RRP
- with the Alpina B3's standard kit: $52,290 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Alpina B3
None open on our record
Subaru WRX Sportswagon
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Alpina B3 lines up producing 364kW and 730Nm of torque, sent through its transmission to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds.
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon responds with a Petrol making 202kW and 350Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Alpina B3 has the clear power advantage at 364kW vs 202kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Alpina B3 is 2.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Alpina B3 measures 4,723mm long on a 2,851mm wheelbase, 32mm shorter than the Subaru WRX Sportswagon at 4,755mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Alpina B3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 500L in the Alpina B3 and 492L in the Subaru WRX Sportswagon, giving the Alpina B3 a 8L advantage.
For towing, the Alpina B3 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 800kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m diameter
Good
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.6 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,879/year for the Alpina B3 and $2,423/year for the Subaru WRX Sportswagon. That is a $456 annual difference in favour of the Subaru WRX Sportswagon.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Alpina B3 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Alpina's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru WRX Sportswagon if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (47 vs 66). The Alpina B3 and Subaru WRX Sportswagon trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Subaru WRX Sportswagon will save you roughly $456 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Alpina B3 and Subaru WRX Sportswagon?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon is the cheapest at $52,290 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon uses the least fuel at 8.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Alpina B3 and Subaru WRX Sportswagon carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Alpina B3 has the largest boot at 500L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Alpina B3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Alpina B3 makes the most power at 364kW. The Alpina B3 is quickest to 100km/h in 3.7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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