2012 Audi A3 vs 2012 MINI Cooper

2012 Audi A3

2012 MINI Cooper

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

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Cooper Convertible 2-Door	27	35	$22,455	$24,950
Cooper Convertible 2-Door John Cooper Works	25	33	$31,590	$35,100
Cooper Convertible 2-Door S	27	35	$25,155	$27,950
Cooper Coupe 2-Door	29	37	$19,170	$21,300
Cooper Coupe 2-Door John Cooper Works	25	33	$28,080	$31,200
Cooper Coupe 2-Door S	27	35	$22,140	$24,600
Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Coupe	29	37	$17,550	$19,500
Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Coupe John Cooper Works	25	33	$26,910	$29,900
Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Coupe S	27	35	$20,790	$23,100
Cooper Roadster 2-Door	27	35	$21,915	$24,350
Cooper Roadster 2-Door John Cooper Works	25	33	$31,050	$34,500
Cooper Roadster 2-Door S	27	35	$24,615	$27,350

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$25,361

$22,455

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$27,270

$24,950

Monthly Payment Estimate

$455 / month

$416 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.0

Read Our Full Review

8.6

Read Our Full Review

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.

More capacity, more practicality, and just as much sport and style, the 2012 MINI Cooper Clubman strikes a balance between family and fun.

TCC Likes

Excellent S tronic transmission
Versatile layout
Handling and roadholding

Excellent handling despite slightly larger size
John Cooper Works power
Comfortable ride for a small car

TCC Dislikes

Road noise
Bluetooth is a pricey option
$40k loaded

Lack of precision in electric power steering feel
Backseat access tough despite door
Prices climb quickly with added equipment

Fuel Economy

City

21 mpg

27 mpg

Highway

30 mpg

35 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small Station Wagons

Minicompact

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.4

50.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

89.0

- TBD -

Second Head Room (in)

36.9

38.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

52.8

39.2

Front Leg Room (in)

41.2

41.7

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Second Leg Room (in)

34.8

29.3

Front Head Room (in)

39.3

38.4

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

60.3

57.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.3

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

169.0

146.6

Height, Overall (in)

56.0

55.7

Track Width, Rear (in)

59.3

57.8

Wheelbase (in)

101.5

97.1

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.5

66.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

19.5

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

39.0

Trunk Volume (ft³)

9.2

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.0 x - TBD -

10.2 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.3 x - TBD -

11.0 x - TBD -

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

14.5

13.2

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.2

14.1

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.1

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

N/A

Front Tire Size

P225/45R17

P195/55R16

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

N/A

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45R17

P195/55R16

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3219

2701

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.5

16 x 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.5

16 x 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

9.1

5.5

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

140

150

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

207 @ 1800-5000

118 @ 4250

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0L/121

1.6L/97.5

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

200 @ 5100-6000

121 @ 6000

Engine Type

Turbocharged Gas I4

Gas 4-Cyl

Fuel System

Direct Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.47

1.19

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.11

0.78

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.99

3.14

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.09

1.79

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.94/3.09

4.35

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.10

0.91

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.93

0.68

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.36

3.21

Summary

Vehicle Name

Audi A3

MINI Cooper Convertible

Body Style

Hatchback

Convertible

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Four Link

Multi-link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.8

6.1

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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