Compare the2024 MINI Cooper ClubmanVS 2024 Kia Niro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Niro 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 Niro 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 Clubman offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Cooper Clubman and the Niro 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.

Warranty

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

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

Reliability

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.

Engine

The Cooper Clubman S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (189 vs. 139) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The JCW Clubman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 162 more horsepower (301 vs. 139) and 136 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Cooper Clubman and Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Cooper Clubman has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Cooper Clubman has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (13.2 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is available on the MINI Cooper Clubman, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Niro.

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 Niro doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Cooper Clubman S	JCW Clubman	Niro
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	14.2 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11 inches	13 inches	10.3 inches

The Cooper Clubman stops much shorter than the Niro:

	Cooper Clubman	Niro
60 to 0 MPH	107 feet	121 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cooper Clubman has larger standard tires than the Niro (225/45R17 vs. 205/60R16). The JCW Clubman’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro (235/35R19 vs. 225/45R18).

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 Niro’s standard 60 series tires. The JCW Clubman’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Niro Touring’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cooper Clubman S has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The JCW Clubman’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

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 Niro doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Cooper Clubman offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Niro; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Cooper Clubman 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’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 Niro doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Cooper Clubman’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58.4% to 41.6%) than the Niro’s (61% to 39%). This gives the Cooper Clubman more stable handling and braking.

The Cooper Clubman S ALL4 handles at .89 G’s, while the Niro SX pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cooper Clubman S ALL4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Niro SX (26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The Cooper Clubman is 5.5 inches shorter than the Niro, making the Cooper Clubman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

The Cooper Clubman’s front and rear power windows all 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’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Niro SX’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Cooper Clubman 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 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Cooper Clubman has a standard Comfort Access that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Niro EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Cooper Clubman’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Niro’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Niro doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

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 Niro doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

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 Niro doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

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 Niro 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 is only available on the Niro SX.

Recommendations

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