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BMW i3s vs MINI Electric
Selected trim120Ah · 2018-22177 mi · 42.2 kWh · £37,670
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 i3s with the MINI Cooper
In this comparison, BMW i3s leads on family practicality, while the MINI Electric leads on value for money, motorway range and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3s if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the MINI Electric 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 want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Electric wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueMINI
BMW
2.9
MINI
4.8
Motorway RangeMINI
BMW
2.1
MINI
3.6
FamilyBMW
BMW
4.9
MINI
4.4
Cost Per MileMINI
BMW
3.4
MINI
7.5
City DrivingMINI
BMW
8.1
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 | BMW i3s120Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,670 | £27,900 (better) |
| Official range | 177 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Boot space | 260 L (better) | 211 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 42 min | 31 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3s
MINI Electric
Length
BMW i3s4,006mm
MINI Electric3,845mm-161mm
Width
BMW i3s1,791mm
MINI Electric1,727mm-64mm
Height
BMW i3s1,590mm
MINI Electric1,432mm-158mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 3,845 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,791 mm | 1,727 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,028 mm | 1,999 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,590 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. | 609 mm spare | 673 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | 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 i3s 120Ah |  MINI Electric Level 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 3.85m-161mm |
| Width | 1.79m | 1.73m-64mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | 2.00m-29mm |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.43m-158mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.50m-75mm |
| Ground Clearance | 154mm | 127mm-27mm |
| 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 | 1,340kg (better) | 1,365kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh (better) | 32.6kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 177 mi (better) | 145 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,670 | £27,900 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2018–2022 | 2019–2024 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 177 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 118 miles | 121 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 42 min | 31 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 166 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.9 kWh (better) | 28.9 kWh |
| 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 i3s120Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
| Power | 135 kW | 135 kW |
| Torque | 270 Nm | 270 Nm |
| 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 i3s
120Ah
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 i3s120Ah | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £12,260 | £12,287 |
| Average used price | £15,600 | £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 i3s 120Ah
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 i3s120Ah | 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 i3s
120Ah
Owners love
- Excellent handling and engaging driving dynamics with quick steering response and instant torque, making it fun and responsive around town
- Outstanding reliability on 2019+ models, with many owners reporting 60k-100k+ miles with no major faults
- Impressive acceleration performance despite modest power output, competitive with much larger vehicles from 0-40 mph
Watch out for
- Real-world range significantly lags advertised figures, particularly in winter (100-120 miles realistic versus 150+ claimed), limiting journey flexibility
- Limited battery capacity on older models restricts longer journeys and requires careful trip planning
- Range Extender adds substantial weight, reduces EV range, and produces loud engine noise with modest fuel efficiency (34 mpg)
Owner tips
- Target 2019+ models with 42 kWh battery for better reliability and range; avoid pre-2015 models and early Range Extender variants
- Install a dedicated home fast charger rather than relying on standard sockets—essential for convenient daily charging and cost savings
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 i3s
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3s
No active listings.
MINI Electric
- £22,7992025Car360View
- £12,5712020Car360View
- £17,8682023Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3s worth the extra £9,770 over the MINI Electric?
The BMW i3s costs £9,770 more than the MINI Electric. For that premium it adds 32 miles more WLTP range. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MINI Electric comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3s or the MINI Electric?
The MINI Electric is £9,770 cheaper to buy. The MINI Electric is cheaper to charge, roughly £152 a year versus £184 for the BMW i3s, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the MINI Electric comes out roughly £9,930 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 i3s and MINI Electric like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 118 miles for the BMW i3s and 121 miles for the MINI Electric - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 42 minutes in the BMW i3s and 31 in the MINI Electric, so the MINI Electric loses less time at each stop.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3s or the MINI Electric?
The MINI Electric is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 64 mm narrower than the BMW i3s. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 673 mm of total clearance for the MINI Electric and about 609 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3s. The BMW i3s 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 i3s or the MINI Electric?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i3s and 84% for the MINI Electric. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. 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 i3s 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 i3s and MINI Electric rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3s and MINI Electric rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3s and MINI Electric rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3s and MINI Electric rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3s and MINI Electric rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3s 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 .