Compare the2024 MINI Cooper ClubmanVS 2024 Dodge Hornet

The MINI Cooper Clubman 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 Hornet doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Cooper Clubman 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 Hornet 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 Clubman and the Hornet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available front parking sensors.

The Cooper Clubman comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Hornet’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Cooper Clubman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Hornet’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cooper Clubman for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Hornet.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Cooper Clubman’s reliability 40 points higher than the Hornet.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Dodge is ranked 21st.

The JCW Clubman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (301 vs. 268) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 295) than the Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper Clubman gets better mileage than the Hornet running its gasoline engine:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Cooper Clubman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Dodge only offers a regenerative brake system on the Hornet R/T.

The Cooper Clubman has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Cooper Clubman offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Hornet doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Cooper Clubman offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Hornet doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Cooper Clubman Auto’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Hornet doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the JCW Clubman’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Hornet:

The Cooper Clubman stops much shorter than the Hornet:

For better traction, the Cooper Clubman has larger standard tires than the Hornet (225/45R17 vs. 215/60R17).

The Cooper Clubman S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Hornet GT’s standard 60 series tires. The JCW Clubman’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Hornet’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Cooper Clubman can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Hornet doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Cooper Clubman 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 Hornet doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cooper Clubman’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Hornet (105.1 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

The Cooper Clubman S ALL4 handles at .89 G’s, while the Hornet GT pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cooper Clubman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Hornet GT (26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cooper Clubman’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Hornet R/T’s (37.1 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Cooper Clubman’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Hornet GT’s (37.1 feet vs. 38 feet).

The MINI Cooper Clubman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Dodge Hornet.

The Cooper Clubman is 9.5 inches shorter than the Hornet, making the Cooper Clubman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Cooper Clubman uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Hornet doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 33% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 21st.

The Cooper Clubman offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Hornet doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper Clubman to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Hornet doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Cooper Clubman offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Hornet doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To better shield the driver’s vision, the Cooper Clubman has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Hornet doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

When the Cooper Clubman is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Hornet’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Cooper Clubman’s optional 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 Hornet offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Cooper Clubman 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 Hornet.

The Cooper Clubman is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Hornet doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Cooper Clubman will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Cooper Clubman will retain 53.99% to 56.29% of its original price after five years, while the Hornet only retains 51.34% to 51.35%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the MINI Cooper Clubman, based on reliability, safety and performance.