Compare the2023 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible

The Camaro (except LS/LT1)’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 Cooper Convertible 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 Camaro (except LS/LT1)’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 Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Camaro and the Cooper Convertible 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, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems and rear parking sensors.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Camaro is 1.8% less likely to roll over than the Cooper Convertible.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Camaro 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Cooper Convertible. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Cooper Convertible ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 28 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Camaro’s warranty.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 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 Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 6 places higher in reliability than MINI.

The Camaro has more powerful engines than the Cooper Convertible:

As tested in Car and Driver the Chevrolet Camaro turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Cooper Convertible S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Chevrolet Camaro V6 is faster than the MINI Cooper Convertible turbo 3 cyl. (automatics tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the MINI Cooper Convertible 1.5 (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Camaro uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The Cooper Convertible requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Camaro has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Convertible (19 vs. 11.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Camaro has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Chevrolet Camaro, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Cooper Convertible.

For better stopping power the Camaro’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Cooper Convertible:

The Camaro SS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Cooper Convertible are solid, not vented.

The Camaro stops much shorter than the Cooper Convertible:

For better traction, the Camaro has larger standard tires than the Cooper Convertible (245/50R18 vs. 175/65R15). The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cooper Convertible (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. 205/40R18).

The Camaro’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cooper Convertible’s standard 65 series tires. The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’s tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Cooper Convertible’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Cooper Convertible. The Camaro SS’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Cooper Convertible.

The Camaro has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 12.5 inches longer than on the Cooper Convertible (110.7 inches vs. 98.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camaro is 4.6 inches wider in the front and 4.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Cooper Convertible.

The Camaro’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the Cooper Convertible’s (61.9% to 38.1%). This gives the Camaro more stable handling and braking.

The Camaro SS Convertible handles at .96 G’s, while the Cooper Convertible pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Camaro Convertible a Subcompact car, while the Cooper Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The Camaro Convertible has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cooper Convertible (85 vs. 76).

The Camaro Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Cooper Convertible with its top down (7.3 vs. 5.7 cubic feet).

The engine in the Camaro is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Cooper Convertible. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Camaro Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Camaro (except LS/LT1), 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 Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Camaro (except LS/LT1)’s optional easy entry system 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 Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Camaro’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 Cooper Convertible does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Camaro’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Cooper Convertible 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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Camaro has standard extendable sun visors. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Camaro (except LS/LT1) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Camaro was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 7 years. The Cooper Convertible has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The Cooper Convertible has never been chosen.