Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2022 MINI Cooper Convertible

The Mustang’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 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 Mustang’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 Convertible doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Mustang and the Cooper Convertible have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 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 29 times as many Ford dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 1 place higher in reliability than MINI.

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the Cooper Convertible:

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Mustang (base engine) is faster than the Cooper Convertible S (manual transmissions tested):

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Cooper Convertible requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Convertible (15.5 vs. 11.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang GT/Mach 1’s standard fuel tank has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Convertible (16 vs. 11.6 gallons).

The Mustang 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 Ford Mustang, 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 Mustang’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Cooper Convertible:

The Mustang’s 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 Mustang stops much shorter than the Cooper Convertible:

For better traction, the Mustang has larger standard tires than the Cooper Convertible (235/55R17 vs. 175/65R15). The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cooper Convertible (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 205/40R18).

The Mustang’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cooper Convertible’s standard 65 series tires. The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Cooper Convertible’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Cooper Convertible. The Mustang’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Cooper Convertible.

The Mustang has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Handling Package/H.O. Package/Mach 1) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Cooper Convertible; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the Cooper Convertible don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 8.9 inches longer than on the Cooper Convertible (107.1 inches vs. 98.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 3.7 inches wider in the front and 6.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Cooper Convertible.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.6% to 45.4%) than the Cooper Convertible’s (61.9% to 38.1%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

The Mustang Convertible has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cooper Convertible (79.2 vs. 76).

The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Cooper Convertible with its top down (11.4 vs. 5.7 cubic feet). The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk than the Cooper Convertible with its top up (11.4 vs. 7.6 cubic feet).

The Mustang (except Mach 1) has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Cooper Convertible has no towing capacity.

The engine in the Mustang 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 Mustang 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 three different drivers share the Mustang Premium/Mach 1, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, suspension setting, power steering assist and outside mirror angle. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’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 Mustang’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.

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

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1 Deluxe 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 Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The Cooper Convertible has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.