Compare the2018 Volkswagen BeetleVS 2018 MINI Cooper Convertible

The Beetle has standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Beetle Coast/SE’s blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing safer, the Beetle Coast/SE’s cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Beetle SE has standard Car-Net, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Beetle and the Cooper Convertible have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The Beetle comes with a full 6-year/72000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Cooper Convertible’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 22000 miles sooner.

There are over 5 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Beetle’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Beetle’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Cooper Convertible’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2017 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is ranked 12th.

The Beetle’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 40 more horsepower (174 vs. 134) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 162) than the Cooper Convertible’s standard 1.5 turbo 3 cyl.

On the EPA test cycle the Beetle gets better fuel mileage than the Cooper Convertible:

The Beetle has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Convertible (14.5 vs. 11.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Volkswagen Beetle comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Cooper Convertible.

For better stopping power the Beetle’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Cooper Convertible:

For better traction, the Beetle has larger standard tires than the Cooper Convertible (215/55R17 vs. 175/65R15). The Beetle’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cooper Convertible (235/45R18 vs. 205/40R18).

The Beetle’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cooper Convertible’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Beetle has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Cooper Convertible.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Beetle’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Cooper Convertible (100 inches vs. 98.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Beetle is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Cooper Convertible.

The Beetle’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (59.3% to 40.7%) than the Cooper Convertible’s (60.6% to 39.4%). This gives the Beetle more stable handling and braking.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Beetle Dune Convertible is quieter than the Cooper Convertible S:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Beetle Convertible is rated a Subcompact car by the EPA, while the Cooper Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The Beetle Convertible has 5.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cooper Convertible (81.4 vs. 76).

The Beetle Convertible has a much larger trunk than the Cooper Convertible with its top down (7.1 vs. 5.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Beetle easier. The Beetle’s trunk lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the Cooper Convertible’s liftover is 30.4 inches.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Beetle has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer rear vents.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Beetle will be $1225 to $4469 less than for the MINI Cooper Convertible.