Buy WIX, never go back.
I started using WIX/Napa Gold about 2 years ago for all our vehicles, including the German ones (BMW & VW). Have had no issues and after I learned that they were owned by Mann I stopped caring.
I've taken to buying made in japan mazda rx8 filters for my 2015 impreza.
Wix XP for over 100k. I used to work at a NAPA auto care center and we never had issues with the Napa gold’s
The Mazda filter has a higher capacity and larger design compared to the OEM Subaru filter. So, it will hang down slightly lower than OEM. The anti-drain back pressure seems to be similar, but I have never verified myself. I ran this filter on my 2005 Impreza WRX STi for a few years.
Wix probably beats oem. They a great brand.
I’d high recommend doing an oil change with 10w30, putting on a factory oil filter (they’re about $10 at the dealer and come with a crush washer), and seeing how it behaves then. I recommend factory filters because for some very odd reason, I had less (or no) lifter tick when I used factory filters vs. aftermarket.
My L5P gets better mileage than my 16 5.3. I do my own oil changes. Cost me about 80$ for full synthetic and wix filter.
I'll say the only issue I've ever encountered with Wix filters when they come into the shop (dealer) is that they seem more prone to cavitate/collapse in the center of the filter than OEM; that's it. Most of the time they are completely fine. I've yet to see an OEM filter collapse in the same way. I'm not sure if the sidewalls of the pleats are not as stiff for some reason, but yeah. That's my anecdotal experience with them over the years of oil changes.
I have a 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L with a fresh oil change and properly torqued filter. When it gets below zero and I cold start it, my oil filter loosens itself enough to where oil leaks out when starting. I have to crawl underneath and tighten it by hand every time. This has never happened until this year.
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If choosing oil filter across many manufacturers, check the part ranking. If your choice is down to two brands, the PartReview part comparisons help.
We compare oil filter across these categories:
In March 2026 on PartReview, oil filter Wix were overall better than OEM Mazda.
In March 2026 on PartReview, oil filter Wix were overall more popular than OEM Mazda.
By vote balance, oil filter Wix surpassed OEM Mazda:
By number of reviews, oil filter Wix surpassed OEM Mazda:
In March 2026, according to PartReview, oil filter Wix led more car-specific ratings than OEM Mazda:
Wix are chosen by owners of cars such as: Subaru Outback, Hyundai Sonata, Subaru Forester, Toyota Camry, and others.
OEM Mazda are chosen by owners of cars such as: Mazda 3, and others.
If this comparison didn’t fully answer your question, there are many others on PartReview.
For example, comparisons of oil filter Wix with: Fram, Mann, Mobil, K&N, Bosch, OEM Toyota, Motorcraft, OEM Volkswagen, OEM Honda, AMSOIL.
Also available: comparisons of oil filter OEM Mazda with: Fram, Mann, Mobil, K&N, Bosch, OEM Toyota, Motorcraft, OEM Volkswagen, OEM Honda, AMSOIL.
You can also see who is better among other oil filter manufacturers: Fram or Mann, Fram or Wix, Fram or Mobil, Fram or K&N, Mann or Wix.
