Compare the2022 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 DoorVS 2022 BMW 2 Series

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door 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 2 Series 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 Hardtop 2 Door’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 2 Series doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door and the 2 Series 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available front parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door the rating of “Top Pick” for 2018, a rating granted to only 180 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 2 Series has not been tested, yet.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door gets better mileage than the 2 Series:

Regenerative brakes improve the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW 2 Series (5 to 7). This means the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 2 Series every 15,000 miles.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door 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 2 Series doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door Base has a standard space-saver spare (not available on S) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 2 Series; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the 2 Series don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better maneuverability, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the 230i’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.4 feet). The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the M240i’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.2 feet).

The MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 1000 pounds less than the BMW 2 Series.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is 2 feet, 2.8 inches shorter than the 230i, making the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has .5 inches more front headroom and 1.9 inches more rear headroom than the 2 Series.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 2 Series doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has a standard rear wiper. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has a standard extendable sun visor. The 2 Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Cooper Iconic has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 2 Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The MINI Cooper comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the BMW 2 Series isn’t available as a convertible or four door.

Insurance will cost less for the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door will cost $1630 less than the 2 Series over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door will be $15164 to $15312 less than for the BMW 2 Series.