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BYD Dolphin vs MINI Cooper
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
Selected trimCooper EChange trim190 mi · 40.7 kWh · £26,155
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the MINI Cooper leads on running costs and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Dolphin 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 most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the MINI Cooper if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Dolphin leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBYD
BYD
6.7
MINI
5.7
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
MINI
4.4
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
MINI
4.4
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
MINI
5.2
Cost Per MileMINI
BYD
7.2
MINI
8.5
City DrivingMINI
BYD
8.5
MINI
9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
- 75 miles more WLTP range
- 154 litres more boot space
- 35 kW faster rapid charging
- 1.0 m tighter turning circle
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 | £26,155 (better) |
| Official range | 265 miles (better) | 190 miles |
| Boot space | 364 L (better) | 210 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 28 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 7.8 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
MINI Cooper
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm
MINI Cooper3,858mm-432mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm
MINI Cooper1,756mm-14mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm
MINI Cooper1,460mm-110mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 3,858 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm | 1,756 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm | 1,944 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare | 644 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 778 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L (better) | 210 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L (better) | 800 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BYD Dolphin
- 265 mile WLTP range, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 110 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
MINI Cooper
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  MINI Cooper Cooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 3.86m-432mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.76m-14mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 1.94m-68mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.46m-110mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.53m-174mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L (better) | 210L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L (better) | 800L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 778mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg | 1,615kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 40.7kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi (better) | 190 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW (better) | 75kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 | £26,155 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles (better) | 190 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 158 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 28 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW (better) | 75 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 36.6 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 7.8 sec |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 135 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 290 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
7.2/10
average across 6 reviews
- DrivingElectric4/5
- Auto Express4/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BYD Dolphin
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 | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,646 | £28,900 |
| Average used price | £18,844 | £28,900 |
| Saving vs RRP | £11,351 below new | At or above new price |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 16.2% 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 - BYD Dolphin Comfort
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users85%
Safety Assist79%
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 | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Cooper
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BYD Dolphin
No active listings.
MINI Cooper
- £28,9002025EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the BYD Dolphin worth the extra £4,040 over the MINI Cooper?
The BYD Dolphin costs £4,040 more than the MINI Cooper. For that premium it adds 75 miles more WLTP range, 35 kW faster peak rapid charging and 154 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BYD Dolphin comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Dolphin or the MINI Cooper?
The MINI Cooper is £4,040 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 £4,080 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BYD Dolphin and MINI Cooper like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 158 miles for the MINI Cooper - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 62 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the MINI Cooper?
The two are within 14 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 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 1.0 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Dolphin or the MINI Cooper?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 84% for the MINI Cooper. That gives the BYD Dolphin a modest edge in retained real-world range. The BYD Dolphin's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the MINI Cooper's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. 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 BYD Dolphin comparisons
More MINI Cooper 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 BYD Dolphin and MINI Cooper rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and MINI Cooper rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and MINI Cooper rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and MINI Cooper rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and MINI Cooper rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BYD Dolphin and MINI Cooper rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 BYD Dolphin (2023 on): 44.9 vs 60.4 kWh & What to Pay
A used BYD Dolphin buyer’s guide: the 60.4 kWh Comfort and Design, the later 44.9 kWh Active and Boost, BYD’s 8-year battery warranty, slow rapid charging, real-world range, what owners report 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 .