Compare the2023 Buick Encore GXVS 2023 MINI Cooper Clubman

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Buick Encore GX 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.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Encore GX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Encore GX Select/Essence offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Cooper Clubman only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Encore GX’s optional 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 Encore GX’s optional Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Encore GX and the Cooper Clubman 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Encore GX the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 174 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Cooper Clubman has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

Buick’s powertrain warranty covers the Encore GX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Cooper Clubman. 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 Clubman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 19 times as many Buick dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Encore GX’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Encore GX first among small suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Cooper Clubman isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is ranked 13th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is ranked 11th.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Encore GX gets better mileage than the Cooper Clubman:

			MPG
Encore GX
FWD	Auto	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/32 hwy
AWD	Auto	1.3 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/29 hwy
Cooper Clubman
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/23 hwy
	Auto	S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/35 hwy
AWD	Auto	JCW 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

The Encore GX 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 Clubman doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Encore GX higher (7 out of 10) than the MINI Cooper Clubman (3 to 7). This means the Encore GX produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Cooper Clubman every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Buick Encore GX 1.3 turbo 3-cylinder AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Cooper Clubman.

The Encore GX 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.

Brakes and Stopping

The Encore GX stops shorter than the Cooper Clubman:

	Encore GX	Cooper Clubman
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Encore GX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Cooper Clubman S.

The Encore GX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The Encore GX Essence AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Cooper Clubman pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Encore GX has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cooper Clubman (7.5 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the Encore GX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Buick Encore GX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the MINI Cooper Clubman.

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

Passenger Space

The Encore GX has .7 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cooper Clubman.

Cargo Capacity

The Encore GX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cooper Clubman with its rear seat up (23.5 vs. 17.5 cubic feet). The Encore GX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cooper Clubman with its rear seat folded (50.2 vs. 47.9 cubic feet).

The Encore GX’s cargo area is larger than the Cooper Clubman’s in almost every dimension:

	Encore GX	Cooper Clubman
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	31.8”/60.8”	28.9”/60.8”
Max Width	53”	n/a
Min Width	40.7”	40”
Height	32”	30”

The Encore GX’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.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Encore GX offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a power cargo door, so its cargo door has to be closed manually.

Towing

The Encore GX has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Cooper Clubman has no towing capacity.

The Encore GX AWD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Encore GX can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Cooper Clubman can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Ergonomics

The Encore GX 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 climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Encore GX Essence’s standard 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 Clubman doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Encore GX’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. MINI does not offer a locking feature on the Cooper Clubman’s standard power windows.

The Encore GX’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Cooper Clubman’s available power window controls are down in the center of the dashboard, away from the windows and mixed with controls for unrelated features.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Encore GX’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Keyless Access standard on the Encore GX allows you to unlock the doors, 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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Encore GX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Cooper Clubman only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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

When the Encore GX Essence is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Cooper Clubman’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Encore GX Essence has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Encore GX Essence’s optional Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The Cooper Clubman’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Encore GX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Encore GX will cost $2080 to $6700 less than the Cooper Clubman over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Buick Encore GX will be $8145 to $13428 less than for the MINI Cooper Clubman.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Buick Encore GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Buick Encore outsold the MINI Cooper Clubman by over 19 to one during 2022.

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