Compare the2023 Subaru ForesterVS 2022 MINI Cooper Clubman

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Forester have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The MINI Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Forester 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 Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Forester are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Forester has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Forester (except Base/Premium) offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Forester. But it costs extra on the Cooper Clubman.

The Forester (except Base)’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 Clubman 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 Forester (except Base)’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 Clubman doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Forester and the Cooper Clubman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available rear parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Forester its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Cooper Clubman has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Forester 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Cooper Clubman. 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 Clubman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 6 times as many Subaru dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Forester’s warranty.

Reliability

The Cooper Clubman’s redline is at 7000 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Forester has a 6000 RPM redline.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Forester’s reliability 50 points higher than the Cooper Clubman.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 15 places higher in reliability than MINI.

Engine

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the Cooper Clubman:

			MPG
Forester
AWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy
Cooper Clubman
FWD	Manual	S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy
AWD	Auto	S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
		JCW 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

The Forester has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Clubman (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Forester higher (7 out of 10) than the MINI Cooper Clubman (3 to 7). This means the Forester produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Cooper Clubman every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Forester has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Forester	Cooper Clubman
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	12.1 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	11 inches

The Forester stops shorter than the Cooper Clubman:

	Forester	Cooper Clubman
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	169 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Forester Wilderness has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Cooper Clubman; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Forester’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Cooper Clubman’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a 3.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cooper Clubman (8.7 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Forester Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 3.6 inches higher than on the Cooper Clubman (9.2 vs. 5.6 inches).

Passenger Space

The Forester has 19.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cooper Clubman (111.6 vs. 92.5).

The Forester has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, 3.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and 4.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cooper Clubman.

Cargo Capacity

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cooper Clubman with its rear seat up (28.9 vs. 17.5 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cooper Clubman with its rear seat folded (74.2 vs. 47.9 cubic feet).

The Forester’s cargo area is larger than the Cooper Clubman’s in every dimension:

	Forester	Cooper Clubman
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	35.7”/73.1”	28.9”/60.8”
Max Width	51.5”	n/a
Min Width	43.3”	40”
Height	34.8”	30”

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Forester Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

The Forester’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Cooper Clubman’s two swing out doors impair rear visibility, need a lot of clearance, and can block loading in tight quarters.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Forester (except Base) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Towing

The Forester has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Cooper Clubman has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Forester uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

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

Ergonomics

The Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring 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 Clubman doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Forester Touring’s standard 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 Clubman doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Forester’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. MINI does not offer a locking feature on the Cooper Clubman’s standard power windows.

The Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Cooper Clubman’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Forester’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Cooper Clubman’s available power window controls are down in the center of the dashboard, away from the windows and mixed with controls for unrelated features.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s exterior PIN entry system. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Keyless Access and Start standard on the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door 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 Cooper Clubman’s Comfort Access doesn’t unlock the trunk.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Forester has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Cooper Clubman only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Cooper Clubman’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Forester’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.

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

When the Forester Touring is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Cooper Clubman’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Forester and the Cooper Clubman offer available heated front seats. The Forester Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Cooper Clubman.

On extremely cold winter days, the Forester’s optional (except Base/Premium/Sport/Wilderness) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Forester owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Forester will cost $2205 to $7200 less than the Cooper Clubman over a five-year period.

The Forester will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Forester will retain 54.16% to 57.43% of its original price after five years, while the Cooper Clubman only retains 49.17% to 51.06%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Forester is less expensive to operate than the Cooper Clubman because typical repairs cost much less on the Forester than the Cooper Clubman, including $13 less for a water pump, $105 less for a muffler, $35 less for front brake pads, $133 less for a fuel pump, $10 less for front struts, $192 less for a timing belt/chain and $863 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Forester will be $10805 to $13458 less than for the MINI Cooper Clubman.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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