Compare the2026 MINI Cooper ConvertibleVS 2025 Porsche 718 Boxster

The Cooper Convertible has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Cooper Convertible offers optional Rear Collision Prevention that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Cooper Convertible’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Cooper Convertible offers an optional 360-degree camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 718 Boxster only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Cooper Convertible’s optional Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Brake Intervention automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Cooper Convertible’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Cooper Convertible and the 718 Boxster 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 and available blind spot warning systems.

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cooper Convertible for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the 718 Boxster (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

The 718 Boxster’s redline is at 7500 to 9000 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Cooper Convertible has a 6000 to 6500 RPM redline.

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper Convertible gets better mileage than the 718 Boxster:

			MPG
Cooper Convertible
	Auto	C 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
		S 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
		JCW 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
718 Boxster
	Manual	2.0 turbo flat-4	20 city/25 hwy
		2.5 turbo flat-4	19 city/24 hwy
		4.0 DOHC flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo flat-4	21 city/27 hwy
		2.5 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy
		GTS 4.0 DOHC flat-6	19 city/24 hwy
		718 Spyder RS 4.0 DOHC flat-6	14 city/19 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the MINI Cooper Convertible uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The 718 Boxster requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the MINI Cooper Convertible higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Porsche 718 Boxster (1 to 4). This means the Cooper Convertible produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 718 Boxster every 15,000 miles.

The MINI Cooper Convertible comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the 718 Boxster.

The Cooper Convertible is 1 foot, 7.6 inches shorter than the 718 Boxster, making the Cooper Convertible easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cooper Convertible has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 718 Boxster can only carry 2.

The Cooper Convertible has 27.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Boxster (76.9 vs. 49).

The Cooper Convertible has .5 inches more front headroom and .4 inches more front hip room than the 718 Boxster.

The Cooper Convertible offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Cooper Convertible 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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the Cooper Convertible the driver can close all of them 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 718 Boxster can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Cooper Convertible has standard start/stop switch that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Porsche Entry and Drive costs extra on the 718 Boxster.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper Convertible to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 718 Boxster doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Cooper Convertible’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the 718 Boxster’s standard xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

The Cooper Convertible’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The 718 Boxster’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

The MINI Cooper Convertible has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the 718 Boxster.

The Cooper Convertible has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the 718 Boxster.

The Cooper Convertible offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 718 Boxster.

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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Cooper Convertible’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 718 Boxster doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The MINI Cooper comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Porsche 718 isn’t available as a four door.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cooper Convertible second among compact sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 718 Boxster isn’t in the top three in its category.