Compare the2023 MINI Cooper ClubmanVS 2023 Audi Q3

The Cooper Clubman’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 Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Cooper Clubman and the Q3 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available front parking sensors.

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cooper Clubman for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q3.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Cooper Clubman has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Q3’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Cooper Clubman’s reliability 36 points higher than the Q3.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 71 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in long-term dependability. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The JCW Clubman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 73 more horsepower (301 vs. 228) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 258) than the Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cooper Clubman S is faster than the Audi Q3 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper Clubman gets better mileage than the Q3:

Regenerative brakes improve the Cooper Clubman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Cooper Clubman offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Q3 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Cooper Clubman offers an available 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 Q3 doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Cooper Clubman Auto’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Q3 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the JCW Clubman’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Q3:

The Cooper Clubman stops much shorter than the Q3:

The Cooper Clubman S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q3’s standard 55 series tires. The JCW Clubman’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Q3’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Cooper Clubman can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Cooper Clubman 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 Q3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cooper Clubman S ALL4 handles at .89 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cooper Clubman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Q3 (26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cooper Clubman’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Q3’s (37.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The MINI Cooper Clubman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 600 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The Cooper Clubman is 8.1 inches shorter than the Q3, making the Cooper Clubman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Cooper Clubman uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cooper Clubman has 8.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (92.5 vs. 84).

The Cooper Clubman has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear headroom than the Q3.

The front step up height for the Cooper Clubman is 1.8 inches lower than the Q3 (15.7” vs. 17.5”). The Cooper Clubman’s rear step up height is 3 inches lower than the Q3’s (15” vs. 18”).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With an 8% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The Cooper Clubman offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Cooper Clubman’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper Clubman to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Cooper Clubman offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Q3 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To better shield the driver’s vision, the Cooper Clubman has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Q3 doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

When the Cooper Clubman 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 Q3’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

On extremely cold winter days, the Cooper Clubman’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Cooper Clubman’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Q3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Cooper Clubman is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Q3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Cooper Clubman owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Cooper Clubman with a number “5” insurance rate while the Q3 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Cooper Clubman is less expensive to operate than the Q3 because it costs $55 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Cooper Clubman than the Q3, including $181 less for a water pump, $175 less for a starter, $197 less for fuel injection and $315 less for front struts.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cooper Clubman first among compact cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Q3 isn’t in the top three in its category.