Compare the2026 MINI Cooper ConvertibleVS 2026 Mercedes CLE

Both the Cooper Convertible and the CLE 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Cooper Convertible’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cooper Convertible for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLE.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in long-term dependability. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the Cooper Convertible gets better mileage than the CLE Cabriolet:

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

The Cooper Convertible offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The CLE doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Cooper Convertible’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CLE doesn’t offer launch control.

For better maneuverability, the Cooper Convertible’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the CLE’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The MINI Cooper Convertible may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1300 pounds less than the Mercedes CLE.

The Cooper Convertible is 3 feet, 2.2 inches shorter than the CLE, making the Cooper Convertible easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 14th.

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 CLE.

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 CLE’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The MINI Cooper comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Mercedes CLE 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 CLE isn’t in the top three in its category.