Compare the2024 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 DoorVS 2024 Mercedes CLE

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’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 CLE.

Both the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door and the CLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2018, a rating granted to only 177 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CLE has not been tested, yet.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door 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. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLE.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door first among compact sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The CLE isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 29th.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The CLE doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door offers an optional 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 CLE doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door 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 CLE’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is 3 feet, 2.8 inches shorter than the CLE, making the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper Hardtop 2 Door is 5.2 inches narrower than the CLE, making the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The front grille of the Cooper Hardtop 2 Door uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CLE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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.

The MINI Cooper comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback body styles; the Mercedes CLE isn’t available as a four-door.

Consumer Reports® recommends the MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, based on reliability, safety and performance.