Loading comparison
BMW i3 (94Ah) vs MINI Electric
Selected trim94Ah · 2016-18158 mi · 33.2 kWh · £33,070
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 BMW i3 with the MINI Cooper
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on family practicality, charging speed and running costs, while the MINI Electric leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 (94Ah) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the MINI Electric if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueMINI
BMW
3.5
MINI
4.8
Motorway Range
BMW
3.3
MINI
3.6
Too close to call
FamilyBMW
BMW
4.9
MINI
4.4
ChargingBMW
BMW
3.5
MINI
2.5
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
8.1
MINI
7.5
City Driving
BMW
9.1
MINI
8.7
Too close to call
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 | BMW i394Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,070 | £27,900 (better) |
| Official range | 158 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Boot space | 260 L (better) | 211 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min (better) | 31 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec | 7.3 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
BMW i3
MINI Electric
Length
BMW i34,006mm
MINI Electric3,845mm-161mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
MINI Electric1,727mm-48mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
MINI Electric1,432mm-166mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 3,845 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,727 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,432 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 673 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L (better) | 211 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L (better) | 731 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 94Ah |  MINI Electric Level 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 3.85m-161mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.73m-48mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.00m |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.43m-166mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.50m-75mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | 127mm-33mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L (better) | 211L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L (better) | 731L |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,300kg (better) | 1,365kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 33.2kWh (better) | 32.6kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 158 mi (better) | 145 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,070 | £27,900 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2016–2018 | 2019–2024 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 158 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 104 miles | 121 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min (better) | 31 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 136 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 27.2 kWh | 28.9 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Standard (better) |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec | 7.3 sec |
| Power | 125 kW | 135 kW (better) |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 270 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | 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.
BMW i3
94Ah
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
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £8,610 | £12,287 |
| Average used price | £9,740 | £13,025 |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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 - BMW i3 94Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
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 | BMW i394Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i3
94Ah
Owners love
- Excellent efficiency and range for a compact EV, with owners achieving 115-143 miles on electric power and 250+ miles combined with Range Extender
- Innovative, well-engineered design with lightweight carbon fiber construction and clever packaging that feels spacious inside despite compact exterior
- Fun, responsive driving dynamics with excellent handling, strong regenerative braking enabling one-pedal driving, and rear-wheel-drive traction
Watch out for
- Winter heating system significantly reduces real-world range by 20-25%, making 60Ah models marginal for UK winter commuting
- Range Extender adds weight causing tail-heavy handling, reduces overall efficiency to ~36mpg, makes unpleasant engine noise, and requires regular fuel use for engine maintenance
- High-voltage component failures (EME/inverter) reported in some cases with extremely expensive repairs (£10,000+) unavailable outside BMW dealers
Owner tips
- Choose 94Ah battery over 60Ah for significantly better winter range and usability; target 2016+ model year for improved reliability, ideally 2018+ for LED headlights
- Install home 7kW charging and use smart tariffs like Octopus Go for cost-effective daily charging; use InstaVolt or Osprey for reliable public rapid charging
MINI Electric
Level 1
Owners love
- Owners consistently say it is huge fun to drive, with instant acceleration, sharp handling and the feel of a MINI.
- It is very efficient on local roads, with owners reporting 4 to 6 miles per kWh or more and tiny running costs on an off-peak tariff.
- Servicing is cheap and simple, mostly checks and software updates.
Watch out for
- Range is the big compromise: owners typically report 100 to 140 miles in summer and 60 to 100 in winter, and far less at 70 mph.
- The range estimate is widely described as pessimistic and unreliable.
- It is small inside, with three doors, a small boot and tight rear seats.
Owner tips
- Buy one only if your regular trips are well under 100 miles, with home charging.
- Use one charging scheduler (the car's or the charger's, not both) to avoid conflicts.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3
No active listings.
MINI Electric
- £22,7992025Car360View
- £12,5712020Car360View
- £17,8682023Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £5,170 over the MINI Electric?
The BMW i3 costs £5,170 more than the MINI Electric. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the MINI Electric?
The MINI Electric is £5,170 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 MINI Electric comes out roughly £5,170 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and MINI Electric like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 104 miles for the BMW i3 and 121 miles for the MINI Electric - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MINI Electric goes roughly 17 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the MINI Electric?
The MINI Electric is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 48 mm narrower than the BMW i3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 673 mm of total clearance for the MINI Electric and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3. The BMW i3 also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the MINI Electric?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 84% for the MINI Electric. That gives the BMW i3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
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 BMW i3 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 BMW i3 and MINI Electric rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and MINI Electric rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and MINI Electric rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and MINI Electric rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and MINI Electric rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and MINI Electric rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i3 (2013-2022): 60Ah vs 94Ah vs 120Ah, REx, Warranty & What to Check
A used BMW i3 buyer’s guide: the three battery sizes, i3 vs i3s, the range extender explained, battery warranty left, the motor electronics fault to ask about, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideUsed MINI Electric buyer's guide (2020-2024)
Buying a used MINI Electric (Cooper SE): one battery, three trims, realistic range, what owners report, recalls and what to pay in 2026, and how it differs from the new Cooper E.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .