Compare the2022 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2021 MINI John Cooper Works GP

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
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The 718 Cayman Auto offers optional Porsche Active Safety, 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 718 Cayman’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.

Both the 718 Cayman 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Warranty

There are over 84 percent more Porsche dealers than there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 718 Cayman’s warranty.

Reliability

The battery on the 718 Cayman is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 718 Cayman’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The John Cooper Works GP’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 718 Cayman second among compact premium sporty cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The John Cooper Works GP isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, MINI is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 14 places higher in reliability than MINI.

Engine

The 718 Cayman S’ standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (350 vs. 301) than the John Cooper Works GP’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman GTS 4.0’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder produces 93 more horsepower (394 vs. 301) than the John Cooper Works GP’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman GT4’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder produces 113 more horsepower (414 vs. 301) than the John Cooper Works GP’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder produces 192 more horsepower (493 vs. 301) than the John Cooper Works GP’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 718 Cayman is faster than the MINI John Cooper Works GP (automatics tested):

	718 Cayman 2.0	718 Cayman S	John Cooper Works GP
Zero to 60 MPH	3.9 sec	3.6 sec	4.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	9.6 sec	n/a	10.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.1 sec	n/a	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	12.4 sec	12 sec	13.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	113 MPH	n/a	110 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the 718 Cayman GT4 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder is faster than the MINI John Cooper Works GP 2.0 (automatics tested):

	718 Cayman	John Cooper Works GP
Zero to 60 MPH	3.3 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	11.6 sec	13.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	121 MPH	110 MPH

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 was clocked 13.5 seconds faster than the MINI John Cooper Works GP (170.3 sec. vs. 183.8 sec.).

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Cayman lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 718 Cayman GT4/GTS 4.0’s fuel efficiency. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the 718 Cayman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the John Cooper Works GP (14.2 vs. 11.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 718 Cayman’s optional fuel tank has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the John Cooper Works GP (16.9 vs. 11.6 gallons).

Transmission

The 718 Cayman offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The 718 Cayman offers an optional 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 John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer an SMG.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 718 Cayman GT4 CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the John Cooper Works GP:

	718 Cayman GT4 CCB	John Cooper Works GP
Front Rotors	16.1 inches	14.2 inches
Rear Rotors	15.4 inches	10.2 inches

The 718 Cayman’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.

The 718 Cayman offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the John Cooper Works GP:

	718 Cayman	John Cooper Works GP
70 to 0 MPH	132 feet	156 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 718 Cayman has larger standard tires than the John Cooper Works GP (F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18 vs. 225/35R18). The 718 Cayman GT4’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the John Cooper Works GP (F:245/35R20 & R:295/30R20 vs. 225/35R18).

The 718 Cayman GT4’s 295/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the John Cooper Works GP’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Cayman offers optional 20-inch wheels. The John Cooper Works GP’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The 718 Cayman 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 better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 718 Cayman is .2 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the John Cooper Works GP.

The 718 Cayman’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (44.7% to 55.3%) than the John Cooper Works GP’s (66% to 34%). This gives the 718 Cayman more stable handling and braking.

The 718 Cayman GT4 handles at 1.10 G’s, while the John Cooper Works GP pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Road and Track skidpad test.

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 718 Cayman is quieter than the John Cooper Works GP:

	718 Cayman	John Cooper Works GP
At idle	53 dB	53 dB
Full-Throttle	84 dB	93 dB
70 MPH Cruising	71 dB	77 dB

Passenger Space

The 718 Cayman has .8 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more front shoulder room than the John Cooper Works GP.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 718 Cayman. 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 718 Cayman’s available trunk can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the trunk, 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 718 Cayman 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than MINI. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 6% lower rating, MINI is ranked fourth.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the 718 Cayman, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 718 Cayman’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 718 Cayman’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The John Cooper Works GP John Cooper Works does not have a temperature gauge.

The 718 Cayman’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. 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.

Porsche Entry and Drive optional on the 718 Cayman allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The MINI John Cooper Works GP’s Start/Stop Switch doesn’t unlock the doors or the trunk.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 718 Cayman 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 available for the 718 Cayman 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 718 Cayman’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.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 718 Cayman 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 718 Cayman’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.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 718 Cayman (except Manual) offers an optional 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.

Model Availability

The Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the MINI John Cooper Works GP isn’t available as a convertible.

Recommendations

The 718 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 17 of the last 18 years. The John Cooper Works GP has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 718 Cayman was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 3 of the last 9 years. The John Cooper Works GP has never been an “All Star.”

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