Compare the2024 MINI Cooper SEVS 2023 Mercedes EQB

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 EQB doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 EQB 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.

The Cooper SE’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the EQB.

Both the Cooper SE and the EQB have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

The Cooper SE’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the EQB’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 tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EQB.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

The Cooper SE stops much shorter than the EQB:

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 EQB’s optional 50 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Cooper SE’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the EQB’s (35.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The MINI Cooper SE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1350 to 1600 pounds less than the Mercedes EQB.

The Cooper SE is 2 feet, 8.7 inches shorter than the EQB, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper SE is 9.2 inches shorter in height than the EQB, making the Cooper SE much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The front step up height for the Cooper SE is 2.1 inches lower than the EQB (14.9” vs. 17”).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Cooper SE easier. The Cooper SE’s trunk lift-over height is 26 inches, while the EQB’s liftover is 28.5 inches.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 24% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

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 EQB 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 EQB 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 costs extra on the EQB.