Compare the2022 MINI Cooper SEVS 2021 BMW i3

The MINI Cooper SE 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 i3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Cooper SE has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The i3 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 Cooper SE’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The i3 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Cooper SE’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The i3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Cooper SE and the i3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available front parking sensors.

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 BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 16th in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 18th.

The Cooper SE’s electric motor produces 13 more horsepower (181 vs. 168) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 184) than the i3 REx’s standard 0.6 2-cylinder hybrid.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the MINI Cooper SE higher (10 out of 10) than the BMW i3 (7 to 10). This means the Cooper SE produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the i3 every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Cooper SE has larger standard tires than the i3 (195/55R16 vs. 155/70R19). The Cooper SE Signature Plus/Iconic’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the i3 (205/45R17 vs. 175/55R20).

The Cooper SE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the i3’s standard 70 series front and 60 series rear tires. The Cooper SE Signature Plus/Iconic’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the i3s’ 55 series front and 50 series rear tires.

The Cooper SE has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Cooper SE flat and controlled during cornering. The i3’s suspension doesn’t offer stabilizer bars.

The Cooper SE offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The i3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cooper SE Iconic handles at .85 G’s, while the i3 pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cooper SE is 6.4 inches shorter than the i3, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper SE has .7 inches more front headroom and .9 inches more front legroom than the i3.

The Cooper SE has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The i3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper SE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The i3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Cooper SE detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The i3 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the Cooper SE has a standard extendable sun visor. The i3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

On extremely cold winter days, the Cooper SE’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The i3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Cooper SE’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The i3 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Cooper SE Iconic has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The i3 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.