2011 MINI Cooper vs 2011 Volkswagen Golf

2011 MINI Cooper

2011 Volkswagen Golf

Select style

2-Door

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Cooper Convertible 2-Door	28	35	$22,365	$24,850
Cooper Convertible 2-Door John Cooper Works	25	33	$30,870	$34,300
Cooper Convertible 2-Door S	27	35	$25,065	$27,850
Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Coupe	29	37	$17,460	$19,400
Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Coupe John Cooper Works	25	33	$26,190	$29,100
Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Coupe S	27	36	$20,700	$23,000

Select style

2-Door HB DSG

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
GTI 2-Door HB DSG	24	32	$23,803	$24,795
GTI 2-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn	24	32	$29,113	$30,325
GTI 2-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn PZEV	24	32	$29,113	$30,325
GTI 2-Door HB DSG PZEV	24	32	$23,803	$24,795
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof	24	32	$25,819	$26,895
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi	24	32	$27,168	$28,300
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV	24	32	$27,168	$28,300
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof PZEV	24	32	$25,819	$26,895
GTI 2-Door HB Manual	21	31	$22,747	$23,695
GTI 2-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn	21	31	$28,057	$29,225
GTI 2-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn PZEV	21	31	$28,057	$29,225
GTI 2-Door HB Manual PZEV	21	31	$22,747	$23,695
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof	21	31	$24,763	$25,795
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi	21	31	$26,112	$27,200
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV	21	31	$26,112	$27,200
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof PZEV	21	31	$24,763	$25,795
GTI 4-Door HB DSG	24	32	$24,379	$25,395
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn	24	32	$29,688	$30,925
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn PZEV	24	32	$29,688	$30,925
GTI 4-Door HB DSG PZEV	24	32	$24,379	$25,395
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof	24	32	$26,395	$27,495
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi	24	32	$27,744	$28,900
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV	24	32	$27,744	$28,900
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof PZEV	24	32	$26,395	$27,495
GTI 4-Door HB Manual	21	31	$23,323	$24,295
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn	21	31	$28,633	$29,825
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn PZEV	21	31	$28,633	$29,825
GTI 4-Door HB Manual PZEV	21	31	$23,323	$24,295
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof	21	31	$25,339	$26,395
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi	21	31	$26,688	$27,800
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV	21	31	$26,688	$27,800
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof PZEV	21	31	$25,339	$26,395
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic	24	31	$18,331	$19,095
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic PZEV	24	31	$18,331	$19,095
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI	30	42	$23,353	$24,325
Golf 2-Door HB Manual	23	33	$17,275	$17,995
Golf 2-Door HB Manual PZEV	23	33	$17,275	$17,995
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI	30	42	$22,297	$23,225
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic	24	31	$18,965	$19,755
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic PZEV	24	31	$18,965	$19,755
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI	30	42	$23,986	$24,985
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI	30	42	$22,930	$23,885

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$22,365

$23,803

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$24,850

$24,795

Monthly Payment Estimate

$414 / month

$413 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.6

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2011 MINI Cooper/Convertible runs the gamut from smart econobox to thrusty sports convertible--all with unmatched driving feel and expertly interpreted styling heritage.

A punchy turbo engine, crisp handling, and a dual-clutch gearbox give the 2011 Volkswagen GTI a performance profile that's anything but stodgy.

TCC Likes

Joyous to drive
MINI authenticity, inside and out
Built-in sunroof in convertible model

Spirited handling
Absorbent ride
Dual-clutch transmission is a best-in-class piece

TCC Dislikes

Very small rear seats
Over-assisted, numb steering
Odd, often cheap-feeling controls

A bit frumpy outside
Three-door, back-seat entry and exit
It's one costly round of Golf, if you grab all the options

Fuel Economy

City

28 mpg

24 mpg

Highway

35 mpg

32 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Minicompact

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Second Leg Room (in)

29.3

35.5

Front Head Room (in)

38.4

39.3

Second Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Front Shoulder Room (in)

50.3

54.6

Passenger Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

93.5

Second Head Room (in)

38.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

39.2

53.1

Front Leg Room (in)

41.7

41.2

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

57.8

59.7

Wheelbase (in)

97.1

101.5

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

66.3

70.0

Track Width, Front (in)

57.4

60.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

5.0

Length, Overall (in)

146.6

165.8

Height, Overall (in)

55.7

57.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

9.2

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

46.0

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.1

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.2 x - TBD -

11.26 x 0.47

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.0 x - TBD -

12.28 x 0.98

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

14.5

Steering

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

3.01

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

14.1

15.6

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.1

35.8

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P195/55R16

225/45HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P195/55R16

225/45HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2701

3151

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x 6.5

17 x 7.0

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x 6.5

17 x 7.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

- TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

5.5

8.4

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

120

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

480

Engine

Engine Type

Gas 4-Cyl

Gas Turbocharged I4

Fuel System

EFI

Electronic Fuel Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

114 @ 4250

207 @ 1800-5000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

1.6L/97.5

2.0L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

121 @ 6000

200 @ 5100-6000

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.14

3.99

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.79

2.15

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.35

4.06/3.14

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.91

1.08

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

Automatic w/manual shift

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.68

0.92

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.21

3.46

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.19

1.46

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.78

1.09

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Body Style

2 Door Convertible

2 Door HB

Vehicle Name

MINI Cooper Convertible

Volkswagen GTI

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-link

4-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Emissions

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

6.0

6.9

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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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