Compare the2024 MINI Cooper SEVS 2025 Polestar 2

The MINI Cooper SE 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 Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Cooper SE and the Polestar 2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

There are over 3 times as many MINI dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Cooper SE’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 134 more problems per 100 vehicles, Polestar is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper SE gets better mileage than the Polestar 2 Performance Pack (119 city/100 hwy vs. 95 city/87 hwy MPGe).

The Cooper SE has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Polestar 2 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better maneuverability, the Cooper SE’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Polestar 2’s (35.1 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The MINI Cooper SE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1350 to 1550 pounds less than the Polestar 2.

The Cooper SE is 2 feet, 5.6 inches shorter than the Polestar 2, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper SE is 5.2 inches narrower than the Polestar 2, making the Cooper SE easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Cooper SE Iconic has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and infotainment readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cooper SE has a standard rear wiper. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To better shield the driver’s vision, the Cooper SE has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.

The Cooper SE Iconic’s Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Cooper SE owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Cooper SE will cost $3145 to $9075 less than the Polestar 2 over a five-year period.

The Cooper SE will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Cooper SE will retain 55.8% to 56.49% of its original price after five years, while the Polestar 2 only retains 30.2% to 35.13%.