Compare 2018 Audi A3 vs 2018 Buick Cascada vs 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2018 Audi A3
X
2018 Buick Cascada
X
2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata
X
Select style
2.0 TFSI Premium FWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium FWD 25 33 $35,666 $38,350
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus FWD 25 33 $35,666 $38,350
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro AWD 22 30 $38,178 $41,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro AWD 22 30 $38,178 $41,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Prestige FWD 25 33 $35,666 $38,350
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro AWD 22 30 $38,178 $41,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium FWD 25 33 $37,248 $40,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus FWD 25 33 $37,248 $40,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus quattro AWD 22 30 $39,758 $42,750
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium quattro AWD 22 30 $39,758 $42,750
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium FWD 26 35 $29,714 $31,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus FWD 26 35 $29,714 $31,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro AWD 24 31 $32,504 $34,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro AWD 24 31 $32,504 $34,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Prestige FWD 26 35 $29,714 $31,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro AWD 24 31 $32,504 $34,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium FWD 26 35 $31,296 $33,650
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus FWD 26 35 $31,296 $33,650
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus quattro AWD 24 31 $34,086 $36,650
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium quattro AWD 24 31 $34,086 $36,650
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Premium N/A N/A $36,736 $39,500
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Premium Plus N/A N/A $36,736 $39,500
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Prestige N/A N/A $36,736 $39,500
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Tech Premium N/A N/A $37,806 $40,650
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Tech Premium Plus N/A N/A $37,806 $40,650
RS 3 2.5 TFSI S Tronic 19 28 $51,058 $54,900
S3 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus 22 28 $40,596 $43,650
S3 2.0 TFSI Prestige 22 28 $40,596 $43,650
S3 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus 22 28 $42,362 $45,550
S3 2.0 TFSI Tech Prestige 22 28 $42,362 $45,550
Select style
2-Door Conv
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Cascada 2-Door Conv 21 29 $32,899 $33,065
Cascada 2-Door Conv Premium 21 29 $34,627 $36,070
Cascada 2-Door Conv Sport Touring 21 29 $35,587 $37,070
Select style
Club Automatic
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
MX-5 Miata Club Automatic 26 35 $28,134 $29,755
MX-5 Miata Club Manual 26 33 $27,568 $29,155
MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Automatic 26 35 $29,564 $31,270
MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Manual 26 33 $28,548 $30,195
MX-5 Miata Sport Automatic 26 35 $25,195 $26,645
MX-5 Miata Sport Manual 26 33 $23,921 $25,295
MX-5 Miata RF Club Automatic 26 35 $30,737 $32,510
MX-5 Miata RF Club Manual 26 33 $30,169 $31,910
MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring Automatic 26 35 $31,977 $33,825
MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring Manual 26 33 $30,964 $32,750
Pricing
Invoice Price
$35,666
$32,899
$28,134
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$38,350
$33,065
$29,755
Monthly Payment Estimate
$639 / month
$551 / month
$496 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.2
5.6
6.4
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2018 Audi S3 is a blast to drive, but it suffers from a tiny rear seat and the Volkswagen Golf R offers the same performance with more room for less. As a sedate, stylish droptop, the Buick Cascada is an excellent choice; it’s also the only choice. The 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the quintessential modern sports car.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
25 mpg 21 mpg 26 mpg
Highway
33 mpg 29 mpg 35 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Subcompact Cars Compact Car Two-Seaters
Number of Passenger Doors
- 2 -
EPA Air Pollution Score
- - TBD - -
Interior Dimensions
Front Shoulder Room (in)
54.8 54.6 52.2
Second Leg Room (in)
31.9 32.8 -
Passenger Capacity
4 4 2
Front Leg Room (in)
41.2 42.2 43.1
Second Head Room (in)
36.3 36.1 -
Second Shoulder Room (in)
45.7 45.8 -
Front Head Room (in)
37.4 37.8 37.4
Passenger Volume (ft³)
- 82 -
Second Hip Room (in)
- - TBD - -
Front Hip Room (in)
- - TBD - 52
Exterior Dimensions
Length, Overall (in)
174.1 184.9 154.1
Height, Overall (in)
55.5 56.8 48.8
Track Width, Rear (in)
60.1 62.5 59.2
Wheelbase (in)
102.2 106.1 90.9
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
70.7 72.4 68.3
Track Width, Front (in)
61.2 62.5 58.9
Min Ground Clearance (in)
- - TBD - 5.3
Liftover Height (in)
- - TBD - -
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
9.9 9.8 4.6
Brakes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA - TBD - NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.7 11.5 x - TBD - 11
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc Pwr 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA - TBD - NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.3 12.6 x - TBD - 11
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
13.2 14.3 11.9
Steering
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Electric Rack & Pinion Rack-Pinion
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
36.1 38.7 30.8
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- NA -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
- 15.3 -
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
- - TBD - -
Tires
Front Tire Size
P225/45HR17 P245/40R20 P205/45WR17
Spare Tire Size
Compact RUA NA
Front Tire Order Code
NA RAL NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA RUA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/45HR17 P245/40R20 P205/45WR17
Rear Tire Order Code
NA RAL NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3428 3979 2381
Wheels
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact 17 x - TBD - NA
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7.5 20 x - TBD - 17 X 7
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel NA
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7.5 20 x - TBD - 17 X 7
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
320 - TBD - -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
140 140 100
Engine
Engine Type
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 Gas I4 Premium Unleaded I-4
Fuel System
Gasoline Direct Injection Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
221 @ 1600 207 @ 1800-4500 148 @ 4600
Engine Order Code
NA LWC NA
Displacement
2.0 L/121 1.6L 2.0 L/122
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
186 @ 4400 200 @ 5500 155 @ 6000
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
25 21 26
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
28 24 29
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
33 29 35
Transmission
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.93 1.45 1.00
Trans Description Cont.
Auto-Shift Manual w/OD Automatic w/OD Automatic w/OD
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Rear Wheel Drive
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.76 0.75 0.58
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.40 4.58 3.54
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
4.77 3.53 3.45
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.77 1.91 1.40
Trans Type
7 6 6
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
0.64 - -
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.70 1.00 0.71
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
2.90 2.94 3.17
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.75 2.96 2.06
Trans Order Code
NA MH7 NA
Clutch Size (in)
- NA -
Summary
Vehicle Name
Audi A3 Cabriolet Buick Cascada Mazda MX-5 Miata
Body Style
Cabriolet Convertible Convertible
Suspension
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut NA Double Wishbone
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Compound Crank Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-Link NA Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut HiPer Strut Double Wishbone
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- - TBD - -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- - TBD - -
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- - TBD - -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- - TBD - -
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.3 7.4 6.1
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
- 5 -
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
- - TBD - -
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
- - TBD - -
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
- - TBD - -
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
- - TBD - -
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- NA -
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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