Compare the2023 Mitsubishi Outlander SportVS 2023 MINI Cooper Clubman

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 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.

The Outlander Sport has standard Active Front Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Front Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Outlander Sport SE/GT’s 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 Outlander Sport SE/GT’s standard 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 Outlander Sport and the Cooper Clubman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, roof-crush crash tests, an “Acceptable” rating in the newer small overlap frontal crash test, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outlander Sport its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2015, a rating granted to only 227 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Cooper Clubman has not been tested, yet.

The Outlander Sport comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Cooper Clubman’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander Sport 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Cooper Clubman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Cooper Clubman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Mitsubishi dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Outlander Sport’s warranty.

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 Outlander Sport’s reliability 13 points higher than the Cooper Clubman.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mitsubishi 3 places higher in reliability than MINI.

The Outlander Sport has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Clubman (15.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Outlander Sport 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.

The Outlander Sport stops shorter than the Cooper Clubman:

For better maneuverability, the Outlander Sport’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Cooper Clubman’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander Sport has a 2.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cooper Clubman (8.5 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the Outlander Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Outlander Sport has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cooper Clubman (97.5 vs. 92.5).

The Outlander Sport has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cooper Clubman.

The Outlander Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cooper Clubman with its rear seat up (21.7 vs. 17.5 cubic feet). The Outlander Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cooper Clubman with its rear seat folded (49.5 vs. 47.9 cubic feet).

The Outlander Sport’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.

The Outlander Sport offers a 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 Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

FAST-Key standard on the Outlander Sport SE/GT 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Outlander Sport owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Outlander Sport will cost $910 less than the Cooper Clubman over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Outlander Sport is less expensive to operate than the Cooper Clubman because it costs $127 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Outlander Sport than the Cooper Clubman, including $47 less for a muffler, $36 less for front brake pads, $41 less for a starter, $75 less for front struts, $297 less for a timing belt/chain and $188 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport will be $8220 to $12717 less than for the MINI Cooper Clubman.