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Abarth 500e vs MINI Electric
Selected trimHatchbackChange trim164 mi · 42.2 kWh · £27,995
Selected trimLevel 1 · 2019-24Change trim145 mi · 32.6 kWh · £27,900
At a glance
The MINI Electric was replaced by the MINI Cooper in 2024. Compare the Abarth 500e with the MINI Cooper
In this comparison, Abarth 500e leads on charging speed and city driving, while the MINI Electric leads on motorway range, family practicality and running costs.
Best value
Too close to call
Range & charging
Too close to call
Practicality
Too close to call
Which should you choose?
Choose the Abarth 500e if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the MINI Electric if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Electric leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Abarth
4.4
MINI
4.8
Too close to call
Motorway RangeMINI
Abarth
3.1
MINI
3.6
FamilyMINI
Abarth
0.8
MINI
4.4
ChargingAbarth
Abarth
3.3
MINI
2.5
Cost Per MileMINI
Abarth
4.2
MINI
7.5
City DrivingAbarth
Abarth
9.6
MINI
8.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £27,995 | £27,900 (better) |
| Official range | 164 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Boot space | 185 L | 211 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 35 min | 31 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
Size Comparison
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Abarth 500e
MINI Electric
Length
Abarth 500e3,673mm-172mm
MINI Electric3,845mm
Width
Abarth 500e1,683mm-44mm
MINI Electric1,727mm
Height
Abarth 500e1,518mm
MINI Electric1,432mm-86mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,673 mm | 3,845 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,683 mm (better) | 1,727 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,900 mm (better) | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,518 mm | 1,432 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 717 mm spare (better) | 673 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 185 L | 211 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 550 L | 731 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Abarth 500e
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- At 3,673 mm, shorter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.4 m turning circle, tighter than 90% of hatchback EVs in our database.
MINI Electric
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Abarth 500e Hatchback |  MINI Electric Level 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.67m | 3.85m+172mm |
| Width | 1.68m | 1.73m+44mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.90m | 2.00m+99mm |
| Height | 1.52m | 1.43m-86mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.32m | 2.50m+173mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 127mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 185L | 211L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 550L | 731L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.6m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,365kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh (better) | 32.6kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 164 mi (better) | 145 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 85kW (better) | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £27,995 | £27,900 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £24,245 (-£3,750) | £27,900 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2019–2024 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 164 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 137 miles (better) | 121 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 35 min | 31 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 85 kW (better) | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 42.2 kWh (better) | 28.9 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
| Power | 114 kW | 135 kW (better) |
| Torque | 235 Nm | 270 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Abarth 500e
Hatchback
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
MINI Electric
Level 1
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - MINI Electric Level 1
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant79%
Child Occupant73%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist56%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Abarth 500eHatchback | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Abarth 500e
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Abarth 500e
No active listings.
MINI Electric
- £22,7992025Car360View
- £12,5712020Car360View
- £17,8682023Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Abarth 500e or the MINI Electric?
The MINI Electric is £95 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the two land within £215 of each other - effectively the same to own. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Abarth 500e and MINI Electric like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 137 miles for the Abarth 500e and 121 miles for the MINI Electric - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Abarth 500e goes roughly 16 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 31-35 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Abarth 500e or the MINI Electric?
The Abarth 500e is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 44 mm narrower than the MINI Electric. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 717 mm of total clearance for the Abarth 500e and about 673 mm of total clearance for the MINI Electric. The Abarth 500e also turns in a 1.2 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Abarth 500e comparisons
More MINI Electric comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Abarth 500e and MINI Electric rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Abarth 500e and MINI Electric rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Abarth 500e and MINI Electric rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Abarth 500e and MINI Electric rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Abarth 500e and MINI Electric rank among the best city EVsWhere the Abarth 500e and MINI Electric rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .