Compare the2022 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 DoorVS 2021 Volvo V60

The MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 Door has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The V60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door and the V60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door first among compact sporty cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The V60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 16th in initial quality. With 36 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 17th in reliability. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door gets better mileage than the V60 running its gasoline engine:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Volvo only offers a regenerative brake system on the V60 T8.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 Door higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo V60 (5 to 7). This means the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the V60 every 15,000 miles.

The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The V60 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The V60 doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door S Auto’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The V60 doesn’t offer launch control.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The V60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For better maneuverability, the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the V60’s (36.2 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

The MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 Door may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1250 pounds less than the Volvo V60.

The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door is 2 feet, 4.9 inches shorter than the V60, making the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The V60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s rear seats recline. The V60’s rear seats don’t recline.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks MINI 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 11th.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the V60.

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door has a standard extendable sun visor. The V60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Cooper Iconic has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The V60 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The MINI Cooper comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Volvo V60 isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or four door.

Insurance will cost less for the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door with a number “5” insurance rate while the V60 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door will retain 46.36% to 47.58% of its original price after five years, while the V60 only retains 37.51% to 39.2%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door is less expensive to operate than the V60 because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door than the V60, including $20 less for a water pump, $50 less for a muffler, $18 less for front brake pads, $199 less for fuel injection and $274 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 Door will be $14496 to $36496 less than for the Volvo V60.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door first among compact sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The V60 isn’t in the top three.