Compare the2022 Audi S4VS 2021 MINI John Cooper Works GP

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

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/05/05

The S4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi S4 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The MINI John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The S4’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The S4 has standard Pre Sense Front, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The John Cooper Works GP doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The S4 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The S4’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The S4 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Top View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The John Cooper Works GP only offers a rear monitor.

The S4’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the S4’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the S4 and the John Cooper Works GP have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Audi S4 weighs 992 pounds more than the MINI John Cooper Works GP. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Audi dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the S4’s warranty.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 9 places higher in reliability than MINI.

Engine

The S4’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 48 more horsepower (349 vs. 301) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 331) than the John Cooper Works GP’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

The S4 has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the John Cooper Works GP (15.3 vs. 11.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi S4 higher (5 out of 10) than the MINI John Cooper Works GP (3). This means the S4 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the John Cooper Works GP every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The S4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the John Cooper Works GP are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the S4 has larger standard tires than the John Cooper Works GP (245/40R18 vs. 225/35R18). The S4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the John Cooper Works GP (255/35R19 vs. 225/35R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S4 offers optional 19-inch wheels. The John Cooper Works GP’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The S4 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the John Cooper Works GP; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The S4 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 John Cooper Works GP’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S4’s wheelbase is 12.8 inches longer than on the John Cooper Works GP (111 inches vs. 98.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the S4 is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the John Cooper Works GP.

The S4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the John Cooper Works GP’s (66% to 34%). This gives the S4 more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

The design of the Audi S4 amounts to more than styling. The S4 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the John Cooper Works GP (.4) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the S4 get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The S4 has standard seating for 5 passengers; the John Cooper Works GP can only carry 2.

The S4 has 43 cubic feet more passenger volume than the John Cooper Works GP (92 vs. 49).

Cargo Capacity

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the S4 offers cargo security. The John Cooper Works GP’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the S4. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the S4’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The John Cooper Works GP 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 engine in the S4 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the John Cooper Works GP. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the S4, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a memory system.

The S4 Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The S4’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The John Cooper Works GP has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The S4’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. MINI does not offer a locking feature on the John Cooper Works GP’s standard power windows.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S4 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The John Cooper Works GP 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 S4 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer headlight washers.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the S4 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The John Cooper Works GP’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The S4 Prestige’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the S4 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the S4 Premium Plus/Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the S4’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The S4 has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the John Cooper Works GP.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the S4 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The S4 Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer an automated parking system.