Compare the2023 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2021 MINI John Cooper Works GP

The Camaro (except LS) offers an optional collision warning system, which detects an impending crash through forward mounted sensors and flashes a bright light and sounds a loud, distinctive tone to warn the driver to brake or maneuver immediately to avoid a collision. The John Cooper Works GP doesn't offer a collision warning system.

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 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 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 John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Camaro 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, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The Chevrolet Camaro weighs 477 to 1296 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.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Camaro 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than MINI covers the John Cooper Works GP. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the John Cooper Works GP 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 John Cooper Works GP’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’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 34 more horsepower (335 vs. 301) than the John Cooper Works GP’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Camaro LT1/SS’ standard 6.2 V8 produces 154 more horsepower (455 vs. 301) and 124 lbs.-ft. more torque (455 vs. 331) than the John Cooper Works GP’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Camaro ZL1’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 349 more horsepower (650 vs. 301) and 319 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 331) than the John Cooper Works GP’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Road and Track the Chevrolet Camaro is faster than the MINI John Cooper Works GP (automatics tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the MINI John Cooper Works GP 2.0 (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 John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Camaro has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the John Cooper Works GP (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 John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

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 John Cooper Works GP.

For better stopping power the Camaro ZL1’s brake rotors are larger than those on the John Cooper Works GP:

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 John Cooper Works GP are solid, not vented.

The Camaro stops much shorter than the John Cooper Works GP:

For better traction, the Camaro has larger standard tires than the John Cooper Works GP (245/50R18 vs. 225/35R18). The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the John Cooper Works GP (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. 225/35R18).

The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’s 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 Camaro SS has standard 20-inch wheels. The John Cooper Works GP’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Camaro can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Camaro 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 Camaro’s wheelbase is 12.5 inches longer than on the John Cooper Works GP (110.7 inches vs. 98.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camaro is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the John Cooper Works GP.

The Camaro’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the John Cooper Works GP’s (66% to 34%). This gives the Camaro more stable handling and braking.

The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe handles at 1.18 G’s, while the John Cooper Works GP pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Road and Track skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Camaro RS Coupe is quieter than the John Cooper Works GP (91 vs. 93 dB).

The Camaro has standard seating for 4 passengers; the John Cooper Works GP can only carry 2.

The Camaro Coupe has 44 cubic feet more passenger volume than the John Cooper Works GP (93 vs. 49).

The Camaro Coupe has 2.5 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room and 4.4 inches more front shoulder room than the John Cooper Works GP.

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

The engine in the Camaro 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.

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 John Cooper Works GP 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 John Cooper Works GP 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 John Cooper Works GP 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 John Cooper Works GP John Cooper Works does not have a temperature gauge.

The Camaro (except LS/LT1) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, turn signal 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 Camaro’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.

Keyless Access standard on the Camaro 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.

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 John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Camaro’s optional (except LS/LT1) 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 Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the MINI John Cooper Works GP isn’t available as a convertible.

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

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