Compare the2023 MINI Cooper SEVS 2023 Mazda MX-30

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 MX-30 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 MX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The MX-30’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Cooper SE’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the MX-30’s (12 vs. 5 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. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the MX-30.

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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated lower.

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 Mazda 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, Mazda is rated lower.

The Cooper SE’s electric motor produces 38 more horsepower (181 vs. 143) than the MX-30’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the MINI Cooper SE is faster than the Mazda MX-30:

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper SE gets better mileage than the MX-30 (119 city/100 hwy vs. 98 city/85 hwy MPGe).

The Cooper SE can travel longer on a full charge than the MX-30 (114 miles vs. 100 miles).

The Cooper SE Signature Plus/Iconic’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MX-30’s 55 series tires.

For superior ride and handling, the MINI Cooper SE has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda MX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Cooper SE has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Cooper SE flat and controlled during cornering. The MX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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 MX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cooper SE has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The MX-30 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Cooper SE Iconic handles at .85 G’s, while the MX-30 Premium Plus pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MINI Cooper SE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 pounds less than the Mazda MX-30.

The Cooper SE is 1 foot, 9.6 inches shorter than the MX-30, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper SE has 1.8 inches more front headroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the MX-30.

The Cooper SE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The MX-30 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 17% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

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 MX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 MX-30 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 MX-30 doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

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 MX-30 Premium Plus.

The Cooper SE’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The MX-30 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Cooper SE Iconic has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The MX-30 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Cooper SE’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The MX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.