2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2018 MINI Cooper vs 2018 Volkswagen Golf

2018 Mazda MAZDA3

2018 MINI Cooper

2018 Volkswagen Golf

Select style

Grand Touring Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Mazda3 4-Door Grand Touring Automatic	27	36	$23,149	$24,195
Mazda3 4-Door Grand Touring Manual	25	34	$22,144	$23,145
Mazda3 4-Door Sport Automatic	28	37	$18,321	$19,145
Mazda3 4-Door Sport Manual	28	38	$17,319	$18,095
Mazda3 4-Door Touring Automatic	27	36	$20,230	$21,140
Mazda3 4-Door Touring Manual	25	34	$19,226	$20,090
Mazda3 5-Door Grand Touring Automatic	27	36	$23,864	$24,945
Mazda3 5-Door Grand Touring Manual	25	34	$22,862	$23,895
Mazda3 5-Door Sport Automatic	28	37	$19,518	$20,395
Mazda3 5-Door Sport Manual	28	38	$18,514	$19,345
Mazda3 5-Door Touring Automatic	27	36	$20,945	$21,890
Mazda3 5-Door Touring Manual	25	34	$19,941	$20,840

Select style

Cooper FWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Convertible Cooper FWD	28	37	$24,765	$26,700
Convertible Cooper S FWD	23	32	$28,170	$30,400
Convertible John Cooper Works FWD	22	31	$33,870	$36,600
Hardtop 2 Door Cooper FWD	28	38	$20,070	$21,600
Hardtop 2 Door Cooper S FWD	23	32	$23,385	$25,200
Hardtop 2 Door John Cooper Works FWD	23	32	$29,455	$31,800
Hardtop 2 Door Oxford Edition FWD	28	38	$19,000	$21,600
Hardtop 4 Door Cooper FWD	28	37	$20,990	$22,600
Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S FWD	23	32	$24,305	$26,200

Select style

1.8T S Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Golf 1.8T S Automatic	24	33	$21,129	$22,010
Golf 1.8T S Manual	25	34	$20,073	$20,910
Golf 1.8T SE Automatic	24	33	$23,765	$24,755
Golf 1.8T SE Manual	25	34	$22,709	$23,655
Golf Alltrack 1.8T S DSG	22	30	$25,973	$27,055
Golf Alltrack 1.8T S Manual	21	30	$24,918	$25,955
Golf Alltrack 1.8T SE DSG	22	30	$29,630	$30,865
Golf Alltrack 1.8T SE Manual	21	30	$28,574	$29,765
Golf Alltrack 1.8T SEL DSG	22	30	$34,234	$35,660
Golf GTI 2.0T Automaticbahn DSG	24	32	$34,723	$36,170
Golf GTI 2.0T Automaticbahn Manual	25	33	$33,667	$35,070
Golf GTI 2.0T S DSG	24	32	$26,414	$27,515
Golf GTI 2.0T S Manual	25	33	$25,357	$26,415
Golf GTI 2.0T SE DSG	24	32	$30,308	$31,570
Golf GTI 2.0T SE Manual	25	33	$29,252	$30,470
Golf R 2.0T DSG w/DCC/Nav	22	29	$39,250	$40,885
Golf R 2.0T Manual w/DCC/Nav	21	29	$38,193	$39,785
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Automatic	24	33	$21,874	$22,785
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Automatic 4MOTION	22	29	$24,033	$25,035
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Manual	25	34	$20,818	$21,685
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Manual 4MOTION	22	31	$22,977	$23,935
Golf SportWagen 1.8T SE Automatic	24	33	$26,227	$27,320
Golf SportWagen 1.8T SEL Automatic	24	33	$29,035	$30,245

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$23,149

$24,765

$21,129

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$24,195

$26,700

$22,010

Monthly Payment Estimate

$403 / month

$445 / month

$367 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.2

Read Our Full Review

6.3

Read Our Full Review

6.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Mazda 3 adds standard active safety features to an already compelling value. Among compact cars, this is one to consider.

The 2018 Mini Cooper is an icon made better by nimble handling and infinite customization.

There's a VW Golf for everyone, and they're even better for 2018 thanks to a big tech upgrade inside.

TCC Likes

Shapely, contemporary exterior
Standard advanced safety features
Sharp manual transmission

Expressive style
Sharp handling
Varied body styles, including convertible

Functional, roomy interior
Great powertrains
Polished road manners

TCC Dislikes

Base interior isn’t very inspired
Cramped rear seat
Poor infotainment system

Only seats four in Clubman
Cramped cargo area
Options are confusing and expensive

Conservative looks
Golf R is pricey
Rear seats don't fold quite flat

Fuel Economy

City

27 mpg

28 mpg

24 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

37 mpg

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Minicompact Cars

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Front Hip Room (in)

55.5

Second Leg Room (in)

35.8

30.9

35.6

Front Head Room (in)

37.6

39.8

38.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

96.3

76.3

93.5

Second Hip Room (in)

53.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.2

55.9

Second Head Room (in)

37.5

38.1

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.4

39.7

53.9

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

41.4

41.2

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.4

59.1

59.8

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

98.2

103.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.7

70.8

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

59.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

6.1

5.4

Length, Overall (in)

180.3

151.1

167.6

Height, Overall (in)

57.3

55.7

58.2

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.4

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

53.7

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

17.4

Brakes

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

11.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.4

10.2

10.7

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

11.6

13.2

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.8

35.4

35.8

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P215/45WR18

P175/65HR15

P195/65HR15

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P215/45WR18

P175/65HR15

P195/65HR15

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3100

2855

3023

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7

15 X 5.5

15 X 6

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7

15 X 5.5

15 X 6

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

150

140

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

480

Engine

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

185 @ 3250

162 @ 1250

199 @ 1600

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

1.5 L/91

1.8 L/110

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

184 @ 5700

134 @ 4500

170 @ 4500

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.97

1.14

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Manual w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.60

0.68

0.67

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.55

3.62

4.46

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.39

3.42

3.87

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

1.24

1.56

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

0.81

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.89

3.54

3.19

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.02

1.93

2.51

Summary

Body Style

Sedan

Convertible

Hatchback

Vehicle Name

Mazda Mazda3 4-Door

MINI Convertible

Volkswagen Golf

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Emissions

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

5.8

5.5

6.3

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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