Compare the2025 Porsche 718 BoxsterVS 2025 MINI Cooper Convertible

Both the 718 Boxster and the Cooper Convertible have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and blind spot warning systems.

There are over 2 times as many Porsche dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 718 Boxster’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than MINI vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, MINI is rated lower.

The 718 Boxster has more powerful engines than the Cooper Convertible:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Boxster lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0/Spyder’s fuel efficiency. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 718 Boxster’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Convertible (14.2 vs. 11.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 718 Boxster’s optional fuel tank has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cooper Convertible (16.9 vs. 11.6 gallons).

The 718 Boxster’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Cooper Convertible are solid, not vented.

The 718 Boxster Spyder RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the 718 Boxster has larger standard tires than the Cooper Convertible (F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18 vs. 205/45R17). The 718 Spyder RS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cooper Convertible (F:245/35R20 & R:295/30R20 vs. 215/45R17).

The 718 Spyder RS’ 245/35R20 front and 295/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cooper Convertible’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Boxster has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Cooper Convertible. The 718 Boxster’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Cooper Convertible.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 718 Boxster is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Cooper Convertible.

The 718 Boxster is 7 inches shorter in height than the Cooper Convertible, making the 718 Boxster much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The 718 Boxster has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Cooper Convertible with its top down (9.7 vs. 5.2 cubic feet). The 718 Boxster has a much larger trunk than the Cooper Convertible with its top up (9.7 vs. 5.7 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 718 Boxster’s available trunk can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The engine in the 718 Boxster is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Cooper Convertible. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than MINI. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 10% lower rating, MINI is ranked fourth.

The 718 Boxster’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Cooper Convertible does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 718 Boxster has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Cooper Convertible’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 718 Boxster’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 718 Boxster keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Cooper Convertible doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to the MINI Cooper Convertible, the Porsche 718 Boxster eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the overhead console.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche 718 Boxster, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The 718 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 19 more times in the last 20 years. The Cooper Convertible has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.