Compare the2023 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 DoorVS 2023 Chevrolet Camaro

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

Safety

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The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Camaro offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Camaro doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Camaro doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has standard Park Distance Control to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or, optionally, in front of the vehicle. The Camaro doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’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 Camaro doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door and the Camaro 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 and rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is safer than the Chevrolet Camaro:

	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door	Camaro
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	183	258
Neck Compression	60 lbs.	87 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	261/454 lbs.	479/694 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	238	317
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Compression	53 lbs.	129 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is safer than the Chevrolet Camaro:

	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door	Camaro
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	42 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performs roof strength tests. In that test the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door earned the top rating of “Good” because its roof supported over four times the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s weight before being crushed five inches. The Camaro was rated lower at “Acceptable.”

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2018, a rating granted to only 200 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Camaro was not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2018.

The MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has a better fatality history. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door was involved in fatal accidents at a rate 29% lower per vehicle registered than the Camaro, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Warranty

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Camaro’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Camaro’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Camaro.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Camaro.

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 Hardtop 2 Door’s reliability 59 points higher than the Camaro.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door first among compact sporty cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Camaro isn’t in the top three in its category.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door gets better mileage than the Camaro:

			MPG
Cooper Hardtop 2 Door
	Manual	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
		S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy
		JCW Hardtop 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/31 hwy
	Auto	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/38 hwy
		S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	28 city/38 hwy
		JCW 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
Camaro
	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/28 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	14 city/20 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/29 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Camaro doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Camaro doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Chevrolet Camaro (1 to 6). This means the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Camaro every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door offers an optional 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 Camaro doesn’t offer an SMG.

Brakes and Stopping

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door stops much shorter than the Camaro:

	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door	Camaro
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	170 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	118 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the Camaro.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door Base has a standard space-saver spare (not available on S) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Camaro; 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 Camaro don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

Suspension and Handling

The John Cooper Works Hardtop handles at .92 G’s, while the Camaro RS Coupe pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Camaro’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Camaro ZL1’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

Chassis

The MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 1200 pounds less than the Chevrolet Camaro.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is 3 feet shorter than the Camaro, making the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is 6.8 inches narrower on average than the Camaro, making the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has standard flush composite headlights. The Camaro has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Camaro doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door S is quieter than the Camaro SS Coupe:

	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door	Camaro
At idle	41 dB	55 dB
Full-Throttle	83 dB	94 dB
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	72 dB

Passenger Space

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear legroom than the Camaro Coupe.

Cargo Capacity

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Camaro Convertible/ZL1 1LE doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Camaro Coupe’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

If the front windows are left open on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Camaro can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Camaro doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Camaro’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Camaro doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has a standard rear wiper. The Camaro doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Camaro’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Camaro’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Camaro doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Camaro doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To better shield the driver’s vision, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Camaro doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Camaro and aren’t offered on the Camaro LS/LT1.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door offers an optional Active Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Camaro doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door Iconic’s Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Camaro doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The MINI Cooper comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Chevrolet Camaro isn’t available as a four door.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door will cost $700 less than the Camaro over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is less expensive to operate than the Camaro because it costs $337 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door than the Camaro, including $391 less for a muffler, $110 less for front brake pads, $180 less for fuel injection and $45 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door will be $4760 to $43310 less than for the Chevrolet Camaro.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Camaro isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door first among compact sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Camaro isn’t in the top three in its category.