Performance
Regarding horsepower, the Pontiac Solstice packs quite a wallop and will knock the MINI down a few rungs. On the other hand, keep in mind that high horsepower engines often command higher insurance premiums.
The Cooper is likely to feel a tad sluggish because of its high horsepower-to-weight ratio compared to the Pontiac Solstice.
Handling
The MINI Cooper's front-wheel drive layout likely gives it better traction in rain, snow or ice than the Pontiac Solstice; on the other hand, the Pontiac Solstice's rear-wheel drive layout likely provides better weight distribution.
Really small tires, like the ones on the MINI Cooper, might provide better handling in deep snow but could also provide poor traction.
With their similar turning radiuses, the MINI Cooper and the Pontiac Solstice very likely handle about the same into and out of tight spots.
Drivetrain
The MINI's engine is markedly smaller than the Pontiac Solstice's. Remember that a smaller engine usually has to work a little harder; on the flip side, smaller engines are often cheaper to fix.
Torque equals pickup, and the Pontiac Solstice will have picked up and gone by the time the MINI Cooper finally gets moving.
Torque is roughly equivalent to acceleration, and in this respect, the Pontiac is quite a bit more powerful than the MINI Cooper.
Utility
The MINI's more massive trunk will accommodate more massive objects than the Pontiac.
The MINI will indubitably prove friendlier than the Pontiac Solstice for those of you with frequent child-cargo.
Convenience
The Pontiac's fuel tank will need to be replenished more often than the unit in the MINI Cooper.
You will doubtless have to visit your friendly gas station more often with the Solstice than with the Cooper.
Comfort
While the front cabin in the Pontiac Solstice offers a bit more head room than the MINI Cooper, there really isn't much of a difference.
Dimensions
The MINI is likely to feel somewhat slow because of its high horsepower-to-weight ratio compared to the Solstice.
The Pontiac's tank is about the same size as the MINI Cooper's, though the MINI Cooper's is somewhat bigger.
The MINI Cooper and the Pontiac Solstice compete for the same parking spaces.
Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs approximately the same to get the MINI Cooper to the dealership as the Solstice.
The Pontiac Solstice consumes a lot of gasoline compared to the MINI Cooper.
Producing an accurate gas mileage evaluation is so difficult that some think not even the federal government can do it, but it looks as though the Cooper is the winner when it comes to gas mileage.
The MINI Cooper isn't much more expensive than the Solstice with respect to MSRP.
The MINI is considerably more expensive than the Pontiac Solstice regarding purchase price.
The Solstice will cost you a bunch of money in gas every year compared to the MINI Cooper.
Overview
The basic after-sale protection that comes with the Pontiac Solstice isn't quite as generous as the MINI Cooper's.
