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Standard Standard
Optional Optional
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2012 BMW 1-Series 2012 Volkswagen GTI 2012 Audi A3
     
Coupe
  • Coupe
  • Convertible
  • Coupe
  • Convertible
2dr HB Man
  • 2dr HB Man
  • 4dr HB Man
  • 2dr HB DSG
  • 4dr HB DSG
  • 2dr HB Man w/Conv & Sunroof
  • 4dr HB Man w/Conv & Sunroof
  • 2dr HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof
  • 2dr HB Man w/Sunroof & Navi
  • 4dr HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof
  • 4dr HB Man w/Sunroof & Navi
  • 2dr HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi
  • 4dr HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi
  • 2dr HB Man Autobahn
  • 4dr HB Man Autobahn
  • 2dr HB DSG Autobahn
  • 4dr HB DSG Autobahn
4dr HB Man FrontTrak 2.0T Premium
  • 4dr HB Man FrontTrak 2.0T Premium
  • 4dr HB Man FrontTrak 2.0T Premium Plus
  • 4dr HB S tronic FrontTrak 2.0T Premium
  • 4dr HB S tronic FrontTrak 2.0T Premium Plus
  • 4dr HB S tronic FrontTrak 2.0 TDI Premium
  • 4dr HB S tronic FrontTrak 2.0 TDI Premium Plus
  • 4dr HB S tronic quattro 2.0T Premium
  • 4dr HB S tronic quattro 2.0T Premium Plus

Prices

MSRP $31,200 $23,995 $27,270
Invoice $28,705 $23,035 $25,361
Avg. Paid N/A N/A N/A

U.S. News Scores

Overall 8.0 8.6 8.2
Critics' Rating 8.4 9.5 8.4
Performance 9.1 8.7 8.7
Interior 6.8 9.3 7.7
Safety N/A 9.8 9.9
Reliability 3.0 2.5 3.0

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Abundant power from both engines
  • Luxurious interior
  • Agile handling
  • Good balance of sport and everyday drivability
  • Top-notch fuel economy
  • Especially upscale cabin and comfy seats
  • Fun to drive
  • Optional diesel engine
  • High-quality cabin materials
  • Available all-wheel drive
Cons
  • Pricey features
  • Second row is a squeeze
  • Expensive for class
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Slower than competition
  • Confusing climate controls
  • Stereo is slow with iPod connected
  • Pricey
  • Cramped rear seat

General Specs

Transmission Manual Manual Manual
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fuel/Engine Gas I6 3.0L/183 Turbocharged Gas I4 2.0L/121 Turbocharged Gas I4 2.0L/121
MPG 18 City / 28 Hwy 21 City / 31 Hwy 21 City / 30 Hwy

Exterior

Body

Body Style 2 Door Coupe Hatchback Hatchback

Dimensions

Wheelbase(in) 104.7 101.5 101.5
Length, Overall (in) 172.2 165.8 169.0
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 68.8 70.0 78.5
Height, Overall (in) 56.0 57.8 56.0

Doors & Windows

Rear Defrost Standard Standard
Power Windows Standard Standard Standard

Exterior Features

Sun/Moon Roof Optional Optional
Panoramic Roof Optional
Power Tilt/Sliding Sunroof Optional Optional
Rear Spoiler Standard Standard

Measurements

Base Curb Weight (lbs) 3252 3034 3219

Tires & Wheels

Tires - Front Performance Standard Standard Standard
Tires - Rear Performance Standard Standard Standard
Compact Spare Tire Standard Standard
Full Size Spare Tire Standard Standard
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Standard Standard Standard
Aluminum Wheels Standard Standard Standard
Chrome Wheels Standard Standard Standard
Wheel Locks Optional
Steel Wheels Standard Standard

Interior

Convenience & Comfort

Alarm Optional Standard Standard
Auxiliary Pwr Outlet Standard Standard
Cruise Control Standard Standard Standard
Vehicle Anti-Theft System Standard Standard Standard
Fog Lamps Standard Standard Standard
Auto-Off Headlights Standard
HID headlights Optional
Interior Cargo Shade Standard
Keyless Start Standard
Luggage Rack Optional
Rear Parking Aid Optional
Front Reading Lamps Standard Standard
Rear Reading Lamps Standard
Adjustable Steering Wheel Standard Standard Standard
Steering Wheel Controls Standard
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel Standard Standard Standard
Trip Computer Standard Standard Standard
Universal Garage Door Opener Optional
Intermittent Wipers Standard Standard Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers Standard
Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers Standard Standard
Front Floor Mats Standard Standard
Keyless Entry Optional Standard Standard
Power Door Locks Standard Standard Standard
Electrochromic rearview mirror Optional
Heated Mirrors Standard Standard Optional
Mirror Memory Standard
Power Driver Mirror Standard Standard Standard
Power Folding Mirrors Optional
Driver Vanity Mirror Optional Standard Standard
Driver Illuminated Vanity Mirror Optional Standard
Passenger Vanity Mirror Optional Standard Standard
Passenger Illuminated Visor Mirror Optional Standard
Power Steering Standard Standard Standard

Dimensions

Passenger Capacity 4 5 5
Passenger Volume (cu. ft.) 86.0 93.5 89.0
Front Head Room (in) 37.9 39.3 39.3
Front Leg Room (in) 41.4 41.2 41.2
Front Shoulder Room (in) 54.0 54.6 54.4
Front Hip Room (in) - TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Second Head Room (in) 37.1 38.5 36.9
Second Leg Room (in) 32.0 35.5 34.8
Second Shoulder Room (in) 53.4 53.1 52.8
Second Hip Room (in) - TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (cu. ft.) 46.0 39.0
Trunk Volume (cu. ft.) 10.0

Entertainment

AM/FM Stereo Standard Standard Standard
Auxiliary Audio Input Standard Standard Standard
CD Player Standard Standard Standard
HD Radio Standard
MP3 Player Standard Standard Standard
Satellite Radio Optional Standard Standard
Premium Sound System Optional Standard
Hard Disk Drive Optional

Heating & Cooling

Climate Control Standard Standard Standard
Dual Zone A/C Standard Standard
A/C Standard Standard Standard

Navigation & Communication

Navigation System Optional
Onboard Hands-Free Communications System Optional
Wireless Cell Phone Hookup Optional Standard Optional

Seats

Cloth Seats Standard Standard Standard
Leather Seats Standard Standard Standard
Premium Synthetic Seats Standard Standard Standard
Vinyl Seats Standard Standard Standard
Heated Driver Seat Optional Standard Optional
Driver Lumbar Optional Standard Optional
Passenger Lumbar Optional Standard
Seat Memory Optional
Power Driver Seat Optional Optional
Power Passenger Seat Optional
Pass-Through Rear Seat Standard Standard Standard
2nd Row Bench Seat Standard Standard Standard
Fixed Bench Seat Optional Standard Optional
Split Bench Seat Optional Standard Optional
Bucket Seats Optional Standard Optional

Safety

Airbags

Driver Air Bag Standard Standard Standard
Passenger Air Bag Standard Standard Standard
Side Head Air Bag Standard Standard Standard
Rear Head Air Bag Standard Standard Standard
Side Air Bag Standard Standard Standard
Rear Body Air Bag Optional

Brakes

4-Wheel ABS Standard Standard Standard
4-Wheel Disc Brakes Standard Standard Standard
Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes Standard Standard

Safety Features

Brake Assist Standard Standard
Electronic Stability Control Standard Standard Standard
Daytime Running Lights Standard Standard Standard
Child Safety Locks Standard Standard
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors Standard Standard
Traction Control Standard Standard Standard
Emergency Trunk Release Standard

Mechanical

Engine & Performance

Front Wheel Drive Standard Standard
Rear Wheel Drive Standard
4 Cylinder Engine Standard Standard
Straight 6 Cylinder Engine Standard
Turbocharged Standard Standard
Engine Type Gas I6 Turbocharged Gas I4 Turbocharged Gas I4
Displacement 3.0L/183 2.0L/121 2.0L/121
Horsepower (Net @ RPM) 230 @ 6500 200 @ 5100-6000 200 @ 5100-6000
Torque (Net @ RPM) 200 @ 2750 207 @ 1800-5000 207 @ 1800-5000
Transmission Manual Manual Manual
Turning diameter 35.1 35.8 35.1

Fuel

Gasoline Fuel Standard Standard Standard
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG) 18 21 21
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG) 28 31 30
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal) 14. 14.5 14.5

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front Double-Pivot MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut
Suspension Type - Rear Multi-link Multi-Link Four Link
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.) Fully Independent

Transmission

Automatic Standard Standard
Automatic Transmission w/Manual Mode Optional
6-Speed Automatic Optional
Manual Standard Standard Standard
6-Speed Manual Standard Standard Standard