Compare the2023 BMW X1VS 2023 MINI Cooper Clubman

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X1 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X1. But it costs extra on the Cooper Clubman.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X1’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X1 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 X1’s 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. 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 X1’s standard Cross Traffic Warning with braking function uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and automatically engage the brakes. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the X1 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

There are over 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X1’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is rated lower.

The X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 52 more horsepower (241 vs. 189) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 206) than the Cooper Clubman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW X1 is faster than the Cooper Clubman S (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the Cooper Clubman:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW X1 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The JCW Clubman requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The X1 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Clubman (14.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (8 out of 10) than the MINI Cooper Clubman (3 to 7). This means the X1 produces up to 30 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Cooper Clubman every 15,000 miles.

The X1’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 Clubman are solid, not vented.

The X1 stops shorter than the Cooper Clubman:

For better traction, the X1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cooper Clubman (245/45R19 vs. 235/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X1 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Cooper Clubman S. The X1’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the JCW Clubman.

The X1’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56.7% to 43.3%) than the Cooper Clubman’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the X1 more stable handling and braking.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .86 G’s, while the Cooper Clubman pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Cooper Clubman (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cooper Clubman (8.1 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the BMW X1 amounts to more than styling. The X1 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Cooper Clubman (.33 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X1 get better fuel mileage.

The X1 has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cooper Clubman.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X1’s rear seats recline. The Cooper Clubman’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cooper Clubman with its rear seat up (25.7 vs. 17.5 cubic feet). The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cooper Clubman with its rear seat folded (57.2 vs. 47.9 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X1. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the X1 has a standard power cargo door, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just 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.

The X1 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The Cooper Clubman has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X1 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Cooper Clubman doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The X1 has a higher standard payload capacity than the Cooper Clubman (994 vs. 871 lbs.).

The X1 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 X1’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Cooper Clubman’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X1, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X1 outsold the MINI Cooper Clubman by almost three to one during 2022.