Compare the2023 Dodge ChallengerVS 2023 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door

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

Safety

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The Challenger has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Challenger offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Challenger’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 Hardtop 2 Door 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 Challenger’s optional Rear Cross Path Detection uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Challenger and the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The Dodge Challenger weighs 890 to 1770 pounds more than the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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

	Challenger	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	100	183
Neck Injury Risk	28%	36%
Neck Stress	195 lbs.	318 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	60 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	67/568 lbs.	261/454 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	209	238
Neck Injury Risk	29%	37%
Neck Stress	180 lbs.	225 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 flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Challenger is safer than the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door:

	Challenger	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	145	293
Chest Movement	1.1 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	174 lbs.	181 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	307	704
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	80 G’s
Hip Force	262 lbs.	935 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	176	315
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	565 lbs.	912 lbs.

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

Warranty

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Challenger 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than MINI covers the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door. 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 Hardtop 2 Door ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 23 times as many Dodge dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Challenger’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Challenger has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - Challenger optional and 220 392/Hellcat). The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 25 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 long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, MINI is rated lower.

Engine

The Challenger has more powerful engines than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door:

	Horsepower	Torque
Challenger 3.6 DOHC V6	303 HP	268 lbs.-ft.
Challenger R/T automatic 5.7 V8	372 HP	400 lbs.-ft.
Challenger R/T manual 5.7 V8	375 HP	410 lbs.-ft.
Challenger R/T Scat Pack 6.4 V8	485 HP	475 lbs.-ft.
Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8	717 HP	656 lbs.-ft.
SRT Hellcat Redeye 6.2 supercharged V8	797 HP	707 lbs.-ft.
Challenger SRT Super Stock 6.2 supercharged V8	807 HP	707 lbs.-ft.
Challenger SRT Demon 170 6.2 supercharged V8	1025 HP	945 lbs.-ft.
Cooper Hardtop 2 Door 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder	134 HP	162 lbs.-ft.
Cooper Hardtop 2 Door S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	189 HP	206 lbs.-ft.
John Cooper Works Hardtop 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	228 HP	235 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Challenger is faster than the John Cooper Works Hardtop 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (manual transmissions tested):

	Challenger R/T Scat Pack	Challenger SRT Hellcat	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	3.9 sec	6 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	6.9 sec	n/a	9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10.2 sec	8.1 sec	13.7 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	11.9 sec	14.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	113 MPH	124 MPH	102 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the John Cooper Works Hardtop 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (manual transmissions tested):

	Challenger	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door
Zero to 60 MPH	3.9 sec	6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	8.1 sec	13.7 sec
Quarter Mile	11.9 sec	14.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	124 MPH	102 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Challenger 5.7/6.4 V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Challenger has 6.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door (18.5 vs. 11.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The Dodge Challenger comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door.

All wheel drive, available in the Challenger, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Challenger’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door:

	Challenger SXT	Challenger Hellcat/Redeye	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door	John Cooper Works Hardtop
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	15.7 inches	11.1 inches	13.2 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	13.8 inches	10.2 inches	10.2 inches

The Challenger R/T/GT’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 Hardtop 2 Door are solid, not vented.

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

	Challenger	Cooper Hardtop 2 Door
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	102 feet	113 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Challenger has larger standard tires than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door (235/55R18 vs. 195/55R16). The Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door (315/40R18 vs. 205/40R18).

The Challenger Widebody’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Challenger SRT Demon 170 has standard 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door. The Challenger’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 17.8 inches longer than on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door (116 inches vs. 98.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Challenger is 5.5 inches wider in the front and 5.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door.

The Challenger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s (62.3% to 35.1%). This gives the Challenger more stable handling and braking.

The SRT Hellcat Redeye handles at .98 G’s, while the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door S pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The SRT Widebody Hellcat Redeye executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door (24.3 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Challenger Scat Pack is quieter than the John Cooper Works Hardtop (85 vs. 87 dB).

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Challenger a Compact car, while the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is rated a Subcompact.

The Challenger has standard seating for 5 passengers; the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door can only carry 4.

The Challenger has 13.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door (93.7 vs. 80.3).

The Challenger has .6 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 7.9 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 6.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door.

Cargo Capacity

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door with its rear seat up (16.2 vs. 8.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Challenger. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Challenger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Challenger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Challenger Automatic 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 Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Challenger, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer a memory system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Challenger has standard extendable sun visors. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Challenger keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Challenger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Challenger has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Challenger has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door doesn’t offer rear vents.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Challenger owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Challenger with a number “1” insurance rate while the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Challenger is less expensive to operate than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door because it costs $291 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Challenger than the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, including $207 less for a water pump, $273 less for a starter, $3 less for fuel injection, $95 less for front struts and $141 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

The Dodge Challenger outsold the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door by over five to one during 2022.