Compare the2022 MINI Cooper ClubmanVS 2021 Mazda CX-3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The MINI Cooper Clubman 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 CX-3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Cooper Clubman 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 CX-3 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 Clubman has standard Park Distance Control to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or, optionally, in front of the vehicle. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Cooper Clubman’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 CX-3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Compared to metal, the Cooper Clubman’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-3 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Cooper Clubman and the CX-3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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.

Warranty

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

The Cooper Clubman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CX-3’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cooper Clubman for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-3.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Cooper Clubman has a standard 150-amp alternator. The CX-3’s 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 16th in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 22nd.

Engine

The Cooper Clubman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (189 vs. 148) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The JCW Clubman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 153 more horsepower (301 vs. 148) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 146) than the CX-3’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cooper Clubman S is faster than the Mazda CX-3 (automatics tested):

	Cooper Clubman	CX-3
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	8.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.1 sec	23.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.8 sec	8.3 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.3 sec	3.9 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.7 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	86 MPH
Top Speed	142 MPH	120 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the Cooper Clubman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Cooper Clubman’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be disabled at the start of a trip. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Cooper Clubman has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-3 AWD’s standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Cooper Clubman offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

An eight-speed automatic is available on the MINI Cooper Clubman, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-3.

The Cooper Clubman offers an available 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 CX-3 doesn’t offer an SMG.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Cooper Clubman’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-3:

	Cooper Clubman	CX-3	CX-3 AWD
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	11 inches	11.6 inches

The Cooper Clubman stops much shorter than the CX-3:

	Cooper Clubman	CX-3
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	181 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	107 feet	118 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cooper Clubman has larger tires than the CX-3 (225/45R17 vs. 215/60R16).

The Cooper Clubman S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-3’s standard 60 series tires. The JCW Clubman’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the CX-3’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cooper Clubman S has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the CX-3. The JCW Clubman offers optional 19-inch wheels.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Cooper Clubman can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The CX-3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the MINI Cooper Clubman has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Cooper Clubman has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Cooper Clubman flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Cooper Clubman 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 CX-3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cooper Clubman’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the CX-3 (105.1 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cooper Clubman is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-3.

The Cooper Clubman S handles at .91 G’s, while the CX-3 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cooper Clubman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the CX-3 AWD (26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Cooper Clubman uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Cooper Clubman has 4.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-3 (92.5 vs. 87.6).

The Cooper Clubman has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-3.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cooper Clubman’s available rear seats recline. The CX-3’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Cooper Clubman has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-3 with its rear seat folded (47.9 vs. 42.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Cooper Clubman easier. The Cooper Clubman’s trunk lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the CX-3’s liftover is 30.6 inches.

The Cooper Clubman’s cargo area is larger than the CX-3’s in almost every dimension:

	Cooper Clubman	CX-3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	28.9”/60.8”	30.9”/58”
Min Width	40”	39.4”
Height	30”	26.6”

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Cooper Clubman’s available cargo door can be opened just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-3 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The Cooper Clubman uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-3 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.

The Cooper Clubman has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The CX-3 doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks MINI 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 22% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Cooper Clubman, the optional memory seats make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The CX-3 doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Cooper Clubman’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The CX-3’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Cooper Clubman the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-3 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Comfort Access standard on the Cooper Clubman allows you to unlock the driver’s door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mazda CX-3’s Pushbutton Start doesn’t unlock the doors.

The Cooper Clubman’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-3’s power window (except driver window) and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper Clubman to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Cooper Clubman offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CX-3 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Cooper Clubman’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The CX-3 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Cooper Clubman’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 CX-3 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Cooper Clubman has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the CX-3.

The Cooper Clubman’s optional 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 CX-3 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Cooper Clubman and the CX-3 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Cooper Clubman has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-3 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Cooper Clubman offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The CX-3 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Cooper Clubman’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CX-3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Cooper Clubman owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Cooper Clubman with a number “5” insurance rate while the CX-3 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Cooper Clubman is less expensive to operate than the CX-3 because typical repairs cost less on the Cooper Clubman than the CX-3, including $157 less for fuel injection.

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