Compare 2012 Audi A3 vs 2012 BMW 3-Series vs 2012 Mazda MAZDA3

2012 Audi A3
X
2012 BMW 3-Series
X
2012 Mazda MAZDA3
X
Select style
4-Door HB Manual FrontTrak 2.0T Premium
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
A3 4-Door HB Manual FrontTrak 2.0T Premium 21 30 $25,361 $27,270
A3 4-Door HB Manual FrontTrak 2.0T Premium Plus 21 30 $25,361 $27,270
A3 4-Door HB Manual FrontTrak PZEV 2.0T Premium 21 30 $25,361 $27,270
A3 4-Door HB Manual FrontTrak PZEV 2.0T Premium Plus 21 30 $25,361 $27,270
A3 4-Door HB S tronic FrontTrak 2.0 TDI Premium 30 42 $28,133 $30,250
A3 4-Door HB S tronic FrontTrak 2.0 TDI Premium Plus 30 42 $28,133 $30,250
A3 4-Door HB S tronic FrontTrak 2.0T Premium 22 28 $26,737 $28,750
A3 4-Door HB S tronic FrontTrak 2.0T Premium Plus 22 28 $26,737 $28,750
A3 4-Door HB S tronic FrontTrak PZEV 2.0T Premium 22 28 $26,737 $28,750
A3 4-Door HB S tronic FrontTrak PZEV 2.0T Premium Plus 22 28 $26,737 $28,750
A3 4-Door HB S tronic quattro 2.0T Premium 21 28 $28,691 $30,850
A3 4-Door HB S tronic quattro 2.0T Premium Plus 21 28 $28,691 $30,850
Select style
2-Door Conv 328i
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
3 Series 2-Door Conv 328i 18 28 $43,790 $47,600
3 Series 2-Door Conv 328i SULEV 18 28 $43,790 $47,600
3 Series 2-Door Conv 335i 19 28 $49,495 $53,800
3 Series 2-Door Conv 335is 18 26 $55,935 $60,800
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i RWD 18 28 $35,605 $38,700
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i RWD SULEV 18 28 $35,605 $38,700
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i xDrive AWD 17 25 $37,170 $40,400
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 328i xDrive AWD SULEV 17 25 $37,170 $40,400
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335i RWD 19 28 $41,490 $45,100
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335i xDrive AWD 19 26 $43,055 $46,800
3 Series 2-Door Coupe 335is RWD 18 26 $47,930 $52,100
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD 23 34 $32,110 $34,900
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD SULEV 23 34 $32,110 $34,900
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 328i RWD South Africa 23 34 $32,110 $34,900
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i RWD 20 30 $39,010 $42,400
3 Series 4-Door Sedan 335i RWD South Africa 20 30 $39,010 $42,400
3 Series 4-Door Sports Wgn 328i RWD 17 26 $34,500 $37,500
3 Series 4-Door Sports Wgn 328i xDrive AWD 17 25 $36,340 $39,500
M3 2-Door Conv 13 20 $63,250 $68,750
M3 2-Door Coupe 14 20 $55,290 $60,100
Select style
4-Door Sedan Automatic i Grand Touring
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Grand Touring 28 40 $21,568 $22,550
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Sport 24 33 $16,443 $17,555
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Touring 24 33 $17,749 $18,950
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Grand Touring 22 29 $21,603 $23,070
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Touring 22 29 $20,134 $21,500
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i SV 25 33 $14,771 $15,200
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Sport 25 33 $15,648 $16,705
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Touring 25 33 $16,952 $18,100
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Grand Touring 20 28 $20,854 $22,270
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Touring 20 28 $19,385 $20,700
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Grand Touring 28 39 $22,141 $23,150
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Touring 28 39 $19,274 $20,150
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Grand Touring 22 29 $22,071 $23,570
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Touring 22 29 $20,600 $22,000
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual Mazdaspeed3 Touring 18 25 $22,191 $23,700
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual i Touring 27 38 $18,462 $19,300
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Grand Touring 20 28 $21,322 $22,770
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Touring 20 28 $19,852 $21,200
Pricing
Invoice Price
$25,361
$43,790
$21,568
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$27,270
$47,600
$22,550
Monthly Payment Estimate
$455 / month
$793 / month
$376 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.0
8.4
8.2
TCC’s Bottom Line
The fashionable, versatile 2012 Audi A3 is as deft for the city commute as it is at ease on the highway. Despite the weight gain, the BMW M3's still one of the most stunning performance vehicles we've driven. With its new Skyactive powertrains, the 2012 Mazda3 is the eco-conscious choice that sure doesn't drive like one.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
21 mpg 18 mpg 28 mpg
Highway
30 mpg 28 mpg 40 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Small Station Wagons Subcompact Cars Compact
Interior Dimensions
Second Hip Room (in)
- TBD - - TBD - 52.2
Front Shoulder Room (in)
54.4 55.3 54.9
Passenger Volume (ft³)
89.0 84.2 94.1
Second Head Room (in)
36.9 36.5 37.5
Second Shoulder Room (in)
52.8 49.3 54.0
Front Leg Room (in)
41.2 42.0 42.0
Passenger Capacity
5 4 5
Front Hip Room (in)
- TBD - - TBD - 53.7
Second Leg Room (in)
34.8 32.0 36.2
Front Head Room (in)
39.3 38.0 38.9
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Front (in)
60.3 59.1 60.4
Min Ground Clearance (in)
4.3 5.4 4.7
Length, Overall (in)
169.0 181.9 180.9
Height, Overall (in)
56.0 54.5 57.9
Track Width, Rear (in)
59.3 59.6 59.8
Wheelbase (in)
101.5 108.7 103.9
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
78.5 71.5 69.1
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)
19.5 - -
Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)
39.0 - -
Trunk Volume (ft³)
- 9.0 11.8
Brakes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.0 x - TBD - 11.8 x - TBD - 10.4 x - TBD -
Brake Type
Pwr Pwr Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.3 x - TBD - 12.3 x - TBD - 10.9 x - TBD -
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
14.5 16.1 14.5
Steering
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
16.2 16.0 16.2
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
35.1 36.1 34.2
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
- TBD - - TBD - 2.94
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD - 35.8
Tires
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Front Tire Size
P225/45R17 225/45R17 P205/50VR17
Spare Tire Size
Compact NA T125/70D16
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/45R17 225/45R17 P205/50VR17
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA - TBD -
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA - TBD -
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3219 3825 2950
Wheels
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x 7.5 17 x 8.0 17 x 7.0
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact NA 16 x - TBD -
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Alloy Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 x 7.5 17 x 8.0 17 x 7.0
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Alloy Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel NA Steel
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
9.1 - TBD - 7.9
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
140 - TBD - 100
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
207 @ 1800-5000 200 @ 2750 148 @ 4100
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
2.0L/121 3.0L/183 2.0L/122
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
200 @ 5100-6000 230 @ 6500 155 @ 6000
Engine Type
Turbocharged Gas I4 Gas I6 Gas I4
Fuel System
Direct Injection Direct Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
30 28 40
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
21 18 28
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
24 22 33
Transmission
Clutch Size (in)
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.47 1.70 1.45
Trans Type
6 6 6
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Rear Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.11 1.00 0.70
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.99 3.94 - TBD -
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.09 2.46 2.02
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.94/3.09 3.23 3.89
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.10 1.23 1.00
Trans Description Cont.
Manual Manual Automatic
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.93 0.85 0.59
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.36 4.32 3.55
Summary
Vehicle Name
Audi A3 BMW 3 Series Mazda Mazda3
Body Style
Hatchback Convertible 4 Door Sedan
Suspension
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
NA NA - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
Four Link 5-Link Multi-link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
NA NA w/Coil Springs
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
NA NA - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA NA w/Coil Springs
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
5 5 -
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.8 9.3 4.5
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
-
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
-
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
-
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
-
Overall Side Crash Rating
-
Side Barrier Rating
-
Side Barrier Rating Driver
-
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
-
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
-
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
-
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
-
Rollover Rating
-

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