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The engine computer on the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The Mirage’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.
To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Mirage doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.
When two different drivers share the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Mirage doesn’t offer a memory system.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mirage doesn’t offer an easy entry system.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Mirage doesn’t offer a heads-up display.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Mirage has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.
The power windows standard on both the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door and the Mirage have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mirage prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’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 Mirage’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.
If the windows are left open on the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Mirage can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door has standard start/stop switch that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Mirage SE offers FAST-Key.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’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 Mirage’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.
Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Mirage doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Mirage’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Mirage has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/SE/Black Edition.
To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Mirage doesn’t offer cornering lights.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Mirage doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Mirage’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.
When the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door with available tilt-down mirrors 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 Mirage’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’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 Mirage offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.
Both the MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 Door and Mitsubishi Mirage offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Mirage’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.
On extremely cold winter days, the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Mirage doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Mirage.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Mirage doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.
To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is standard on the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door. The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Mirage doesn’t offer a navigation system.
To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the MINI Cooper offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Mirage doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.
The Cooper Hardtop 4 Door’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Mirage doesn’t offer an automated parking system.
