Compare the2024 MINI Cooper SEVS 2024 Kia Niro EV

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 Niro EV 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 Niro EV 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 Niro EV 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

The Cooper SE’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the Niro EV’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

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. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro EV.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 10th.

The Cooper SE’s electric motor produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 188) than the Niro EV’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the MINI Cooper SE is faster than the Kia Niro EV:

The Cooper SE stops much shorter than the Niro EV:

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 Niro EV’s 55 series tires.

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 Niro EV’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 Niro EV doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The MINI Cooper SE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 pounds less than the Kia Niro EV.

The Cooper SE is 1 foot, 10.3 inches shorter than the Niro EV, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 39% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

The Cooper SE’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Niro EV’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Niro EV Wave’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

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 Niro EV can only close 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 Niro EV doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Cooper SE’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro EV’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Cooper SE has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Niro EV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Niro EV doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

The Cooper SE Signature/Iconic’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Niro EV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Niro EV.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Cooper SE Iconic has a standard Active Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Niro EV doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.