MINI Cooper vs the field
Every head-to-head WhichTrim has scored for the Cooper: 8 comparisons against 4 rivals across the 2021–2026 model years, each on price, fuel, safety, space, performance, tech and warranty from EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer data — the weights yours to change on any of them.
By rival
4 rivals · verdicts at default weightsClear win 6+ points · Edge 2–6 · Toss-up under 2. Open any pair for the scorecard, the biggest gaps in words and the sliders.
Where the Cooper wins and loses
8 scored head-to-headsThe Cooper trails on space & cargo in 6 of 6, fuel & range in 6 of 8. Category scores are 0–100 from the data on each pair page; a lead here means the Cooper scored higher in that category, whatever the weights.
| Category | Cooper leads | Trails | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel & range | 2 of 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Safety | 4 of 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Space & cargo | 0 of 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Performance | 1 of 2 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions about the MINI Cooper head-to-heads
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the MINI Cooper or the Nissan Rogue Sport?
The MINI Cooper wins clearly, 93.6 to 71, on fuel & range, safety. The Nissan Rogue Sport is ahead on space & cargo. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2022 MINI Cooper comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2022 Nissan Rogue Sport vs 2022 MINI Cooper). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the MINI Cooper or the Nissan Ariya?
The Nissan Ariya wins clearly, 100 to 66, on fuel & range, safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Nissan Ariya comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Nissan Ariya vs 2026 MINI Cooper). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the MINI Cooper or the Nissan Leaf?
The Nissan Leaf wins clearly, 85.9 to 64.1, on fuel & range, performance, space & cargo. The MINI Cooper is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Nissan Leaf comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Nissan Leaf vs 2026 MINI Cooper). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the MINI Cooper or the Nissan Kicks?
Too close to call: Nissan Kicks 88.1 vs MINI Cooper 88 with these weights. The MINI Cooper is ahead on safety and performance. Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.2 and it flips. Too close to call at default weights: the 2026 Nissan Kicks is nominally ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Nissan Kicks vs 2026 MINI Cooper). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Where does the MINI Cooper win and lose against its rivals?
The Cooper trails on space & cargo in 6 of 6, fuel & range in 6 of 8. Every count comes from the category scores on the pair pages linked above, which use EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press-kit data.
How does WhichTrim decide which vehicle wins?
Each of seven categories — price, fuel and range, safety, space and cargo, performance, tech and comfort, warranty — is scored 0–100 from the data on the page. Relative measures give 100 to the better vehicle and a proportional share to the other; NHTSA stars and the Safety Signal use their own scales. The overall score is the weighted mean at the default weights (price 4, safety 4, fuel 3, tech 3, space 2, performance 2, warranty 2). A margin of 6 points or more is a clear win, 2 to 6 an edge, under 2 a toss-up. Every pair page has sliders to set your own weights.