2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs 2012 MINI Cooper

2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2012 MINI Cooper

Select style

2-Door Conv Automatic Grand Touring

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Automatic Grand Touring	21	28	$26,655	$28,200
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Automatic Sport	21	28	$24,322	$25,730
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Automatic Touring	21	28	$25,454	$26,930
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Hard Top Automatic Grand Touring	21	28	$28,403	$30,050
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Hard Top Automatic Special Edition	21	28	$29,937	$31,675
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Hard Top Automatic Touring	21	28	$27,071	$28,640
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Hard Top Manual Grand Touring	21	28	$27,364	$28,950
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Hard Top Manual Special Edition	21	28	$29,511	$31,225
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Hard Top Manual Touring	21	28	$26,031	$27,540
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Manual Grand Touring	21	28	$25,617	$27,100
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Manual Sport	22	28	$22,188	$23,470
MX-5 Miata 2-Door Conv Manual Touring	21	28	$24,415	$25,830

Select style

2-Door

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Cooper Convertible 2-Door	27	35	$22,455	$24,950
Cooper Convertible 2-Door John Cooper Works	25	33	$31,590	$35,100
Cooper Convertible 2-Door S	27	35	$25,155	$27,950
Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Coupe	29	37	$17,550	$19,500
Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Coupe John Cooper Works	25	33	$26,910	$29,900
Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Coupe S	27	35	$20,790	$23,100

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$26,655

$22,455

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$28,200

$24,950

Monthly Payment Estimate

$470 / month

$416 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.2

Read Our Full Review

8.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 Mazda MX-5 is a true sports roadster with great handling and fun at any speed, and more practical than you might think.

If you're looking for style with a dash of sport and a handful of practicality, the MINI Cooper Coupe is a great choice.

TCC Likes

Peppy engine
Quick-shifting gearbox
Direct, quick handling

Great handling
Good gas mileage, even in sportier models
More practicality than you'd expect

TCC Dislikes

Lack of crash-test data
Smallish cockpit
Noisy on the highway

Ultimately still a front-drive sports car
Can be pricey when well-equipped
Some of the interior materials are sub-par

Fuel Economy

City

21 mpg

27 mpg

Highway

28 mpg

35 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Two Seater

Minicompact

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room (in)

37.4

38.4

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.2

50.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

Front Leg Room (in)

43.1

41.7

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

50.6

- TBD -

Second Leg Room (in)

29.3

Second Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Second Head Room (in)

38.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

39.2

Exterior Dimensions

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.6

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

157.3

146.6

Height, Overall (in)

49.0

55.7

Track Width, Rear (in)

58.9

57.8

Wheelbase (in)

91.7

97.1

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

67.7

66.3

Track Width, Front (in)

58.7

57.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

5.3

9.2

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.4 x - TBD -

11.0 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.0 x - TBD -

10.2 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

12.7

13.2

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

32.8

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.0

14.1

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

30.8

35.1

Steering Type

Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.7

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P205/45R17

P195/55R16

Rear Tire Order Code

N/A

Front Tire Size

P205/45R17

P195/55R16

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

N/A

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2542

2701

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

16 x 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

16 x 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

7.9

5.5

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

150

Engine

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

140 @ 5000

118 @ 4250

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0L/122

1.6L/97.5

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

158 @ 6700

121 @ 6000

Engine Type

Gas I4

Gas 4-Cyl

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.58

0.68

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.54

3.21

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.40

1.19

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

0.78

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.17

3.14

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.06

1.79

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.10

4.35

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.91

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Manual

Summary

Vehicle Name

Mazda MX-5 Miata

MINI Cooper Convertible

Body Style

2 Door Convertible

Convertible

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Independent

MacPherson Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

8.0

6.1

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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