Compare the2022 MINI Cooper ClubmanVS 2021 Mazda CX-30

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-30 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.

Both the Cooper Clubman and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

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-30’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-30’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-30.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Cooper Clubman has a standard 150-amp alternator. The CX-30’s 130-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.

The Cooper Clubman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (189 vs. 186) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The JCW Clubman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (301 vs. 250) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 320) than the CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cooper Clubman S is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper Clubman gets better mileage than the CX-30:

Regenerative brakes improve the Cooper Clubman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-30 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-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Cooper Clubman offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The CX-30 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-30.

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-30 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the Cooper Clubman’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

The Cooper Clubman stops much shorter than the CX-30:

For better traction, the Cooper Clubman has larger tires than the CX-30 (225/45R17 vs. 215/65R16).

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-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires. The JCW Clubman’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cooper Clubman S has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The JCW Clubman’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Premium.

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-30 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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-30 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-30’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-30’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cooper Clubman S handles at .91 G’s, while the CX-30 Premium AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cooper Clubman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the CX-30 Premium AWD (26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The Cooper Clubman is 4.5 inches shorter than the CX-30, making the Cooper Clubman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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-30 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cooper Clubman’s available rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Cooper Clubman has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (47.9 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

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-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Cooper Clubman uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-30 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 Mazda. J.D. Power ranks MINI 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 22% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 23rd.

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-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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-30 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-30 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-30 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-30 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Cooper Clubman’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.