Compare the2023 MINI Cooper SEVS 2023 Hyundai Nexo

The MINI Cooper SE has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Nexo doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Cooper SE 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 Nexo 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.

Both the Cooper SE and the Nexo have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 front parking sensors.

The Cooper SE’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Nexo’s (12 vs. 7 years).

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

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated below average.

The Cooper SE’s electric motor produces 20 more horsepower (181 vs. 161) than the Nexo’s electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper SE gets better mileage than the Nexo:

			MPGe
Cooper SE
		Electric Motor	119 city/100 hwy
Nexo
		Blue Electric Motor	65 city/58 hwy
		Limited Electric Motor	59 city/54 hwy

The Cooper SE’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 Nexo’s standard 60 series tires.

The Cooper SE 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 Nexo’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Cooper SE’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Nexo’s (35.1 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

The MINI Cooper SE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 950 pounds less than the Hyundai Nexo.

The Cooper SE is 2 feet, 8.2 inches shorter than the Nexo, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper SE is 5.2 inches narrower than the Nexo, making the Cooper SE easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Cooper SE is 7.8 inches shorter in height than the Nexo, making the Cooper SE much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the MINI Cooper SE amounts to more than styling. The Cooper SE has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is lower than the Nexo (.32). A more efficient exterior helps the Cooper SE go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the Cooper SE get better fuel mileage.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Cooper SE easier. The Cooper SE’s trunk lift-over height is 25.4 inches, while the Nexo’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

A Service Interval Indicator is standard on the Cooper SE to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspection and based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Hyundai doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Nexo.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 42% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

The Cooper SE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, 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 Nexo doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

The Cooper SE’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 Nexo’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Cooper SE’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 Nexo’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

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

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

When the Cooper SE with available tilt-down mirrors 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 Nexo’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Cooper SE’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Nexo has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Cooper SE has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Nexo Limited.