Compare the2022 MINI Cooper SEVS 2021 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

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 Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 Clarity Fuel Cell 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 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 Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Cooper SE and the Clarity Fuel Cell 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Cooper SE comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Clarity Fuel Cell’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Cooper SE’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Clarity Fuel Cell’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cooper SE for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Clarity Fuel Cell.

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 Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 16th in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 19th.

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 Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 17th in reliability. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 27th.

The Cooper SE’s electric motor produces 7 more horsepower (181 vs. 174) than the Clarity Fuel Cell’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the MINI Cooper SE is faster than the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell:

The Cooper SE stops much shorter than the Clarity Fuel Cell:

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 Clarity Fuel Cell’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cooper SE has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Cooper SE Iconic handles at .85 G’s, while the Clarity Fuel Cell pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Cooper SE’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Clarity Fuel Cell’s (35.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The MINI Cooper SE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 pounds less than the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell.

The Cooper SE is 3 feet, 5 inches shorter than the Clarity Fuel Cell, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper SE is 5.9 inches narrower than the Clarity Fuel Cell, making the Cooper SE easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Cooper SE’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Clarity Fuel Cell’s useful trunk space.

The Cooper SE’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The Cooper SE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Clarity Fuel Cell uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Honda. J.D. Power ranks MINI 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 18% lower rating, Honda is ranked 20th.

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 Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cooper SE has a standard rear wiper. The Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Cooper SE has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Cooper SE with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Clarity Fuel Cell’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Cooper SE’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Clarity Fuel Cell has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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 Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Cooper SE’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Clarity Fuel Cell doesn’t offer an automated parking system.