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BMW i3 vs MINI Cooper
Selected trim120Ah · 2018-22193 mi · 42.2 kWh · £35,180
Selected trimCooper EChange trim190 mi · 40.7 kWh · £26,155
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on family practicality, while the MINI Cooper leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the MINI Cooper if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Cooper leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueMINI
BMW
3.4
MINI
5.7
Motorway RangeMINI
BMW
2.8
MINI
4.4
FamilyBMW
BMW
4.9
MINI
4.4
ChargingMINI
BMW
2
MINI
5.2
Cost Per MileMINI
BMW
5.4
MINI
8.5
City Driving
BMW
8.7
MINI
9
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 i3120Ah | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,180 | £26,155 (better) |
| Official range | 193 miles (better) | 190 miles |
| Boot space | 260 L (better) | 210 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 42 min | 28 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 7.8 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
MINI Cooper
Length
BMW i34,006mm
MINI Cooper3,858mm-148mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
MINI Cooper1,756mm-19mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
MINI Cooper1,460mm-138mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 3,858 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,756 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | 1,944 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 644 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | Not available |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 778 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L (better) | 210 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L (better) | 800 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 120Ah |  MINI Cooper Cooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 3.86m-148mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.76m-19mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 1.94m-55mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.46m-138mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.53m-44mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L (better) | 210L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L (better) | 800L |
| Seats | 4 | Not available |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 778mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,320kg (better) | 1,615kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh (better) | 40.7kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi (better) | 190 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 75kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,180 | £26,155 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2018–2022 | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles (better) | 190 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 129 miles | 158 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 42 min | 28 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 75 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 152 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.9 kWh (better) | 36.6 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 7.8 sec |
| Power | 125 kW | 135 kW (better) |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 290 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i3
120Ah
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i3
All 3 videos
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 i3120Ah | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £10,790 | £28,900 |
| Average used price | £12,760 | £28,900 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 11 listings (better) | 2 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 142% over ~6 months | Broadly flat |
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 120Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - MINI Cooper Cooper E
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist77%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Cooper
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3
- £29,9952021EVHEROView
- £12,4992019Cars2View
- £11,1952018Drive GreenView
MINI Cooper
- £28,9002025EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £9,025 over the MINI Cooper?
The BMW i3 costs £9,025 more than the MINI Cooper. For that premium it adds 50 litres more boot space. The MINI Cooper is not just cheaper - it also offers 25 kW faster peak rapid charging. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MINI Cooper comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the MINI Cooper?
The MINI Cooper is £9,025 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the MINI Cooper comes out roughly £9,145 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 Cooper like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 129 miles for the BMW i3 and 158 miles for the MINI Cooper - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MINI Cooper goes roughly 29 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 42 minutes in the BMW i3 and 28 in the MINI Cooper, so the MINI Cooper loses less time at each stop. That makes the MINI Cooper the stronger long-distance car.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the MINI Cooper?
The two are within 19 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 644 mm of total clearance for the MINI Cooper and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3. The BMW i3 also turns in a 0.5 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 Cooper?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 88% battery health for the BMW i3 and 84% for the MINI Cooper. 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.
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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 Cooper rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and MINI Cooper rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and MINI Cooper rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and MINI Cooper rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and MINI Cooper rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and MINI Cooper 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.
GuideBuying a Used MINI Cooper E / SE (2024 on): Which Battery, Recalls & What to Pay
A used 2024-on MINI Cooper E and Cooper SE buyer’s guide: 40.7 vs 54.2 kWh, how to tell it from the older MINI Electric, the battery and brake recalls, warranty, real-world range, what to pay against new stock and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .