2011 Volkswagen GTI vs. 2011 BMW 3 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2011 Volkswagen GTI and 2011 BMW 3 Series contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2011 Volkswagen GTI and the 2011 BMW 3 Series.
When we compare the 2011 Volkswagen GTI's and the 2011 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2011 Volkswagen GTI has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. The 2011 BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2011 Volkswagen GTI's and the 2011 BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the 2011 Volkswagen GTI is a better car than the 2011 BMW 3 Series.
Pricing: A used 2011 Volkswagen GTI ranges from $5,991 to $12,989 while a used 2011 BMW 3 Series is priced between $6,900 to $17,983.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2011 Volkswagen GTI’s base engine makes 200 horsepower, and the 2011 BMW 3 Series base engine makes 230 horsepower. The GTI is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 450 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 419 miles. This gives the 2011 Volkswagen GTI the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2011 BMW 3 Series. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The 2011 Volkswagen GTI has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The 2011 BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and front leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23695
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
46450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
38783
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
29610 - 55900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
9148
Price Range:
5991 - 12989
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
29
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
117616
# Good or Great Deals:
8
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
11679
Price Range:
6900 - 17983
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
12114
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7098 - 39463
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
401
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
112846
# Good or Great Deals:
102
Volkswagen GTI Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2011 Volkswagen GTI
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2011 BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.117187989826462
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
67.7797583825795
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
5.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.1 - 67.8
Volkswagen GTI Rankings
Not yet available
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline
2011 Volkswagen GTI Trim Levels
Autobahn, Autobahn PZEV, Base, Base PZEV
2011 BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
328i, 328i xDrive, 335d, 335i, 335i xDrive, 335is
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
200 hp @ 5100 rpm
Torque:
207 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.066 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
230 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
200 foot-lbs @ 2750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 31 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
305 / 450 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
17 / 26 / 20
Range (city/hwy):
274 / 419 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
108.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Rear Head Room:
37 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49 inches
Cargo Space:
9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
84.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3034 lbs
Width:
70 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
165.8 inches
Wheelbase:
101.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3792 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
54.5 inches
Length:
180.6 inches
Wheelbase:
108.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl Metallic
Blue
Shadow Blue Metallic
Gray
Carbon Steel Gray Metallic / United Gray Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
White
Candy White
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Green
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Blue Water Metallic / Deep Sea Blue Metallic / Le Mans Blue Metallic / Montego Blue Metallic
Gray
Space Gray Metallic / Titanium Silver Metallic
Red
Crimson Red / Vermilion Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Beige
Mojave Metallic
Brown
Platinum Bronze Metallic
Green
Tasman Green Metallic
Interior Colors
Gray
Interlagos
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Gray Dakota Leather
Beige
Cream Beige Dakota Leather
Black
Black Dakota Leather / Black Leatherette
Brown
Saddle Brown Dakota Leather
Red
Coral Red/Black Dakota Leather
White
Cream Beige Leatherette / Oyster and Black Dakota Leather
