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MINI Cooper vs Smart #1
Selected trimCooper EChange trim190 mi · 40.7 kWh · £26,155
At a glance
In this comparison, MINI Cooper leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the Smart #1 leads on family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MINI Cooper if...
- 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
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Smart #1 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Cooper leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
MINI
5.7
Smart
5.9
Too close to call
Motorway RangeMINI
MINI
4.4
Smart
1.9
FamilySmart
MINI
4.4
Smart
5.4
ChargingMINI
MINI
5.2
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileMINI
MINI
8.5
Smart
1.9
City DrivingMINI
MINI
9
Smart
6
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 | MINI CooperCooper E | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £26,155 (better) | £29,960 |
| Official range | 190 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 210 L | 313 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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MINI Cooper
Smart #1
Length
MINI Cooper3,858mm-412mm
Smart #14,270mm
Width
MINI Cooper1,756mm-66mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
MINI Cooper1,460mm-176mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,858 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,756 mm (better) | 1,822 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,944 mm (better) | 2,025 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 644 mm spare (better) | 578 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Rear legroom | 778 mm | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 210 L | 313 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 800 L | 976 L (better) |
| Frunk | 0 L | 15 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
MINI Cooper
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Smart #1
- At 4,270 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  MINI Cooper Cooper E |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.86m | 4.27m+412mm |
| Width | 1.76m | 1.82m+66mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.94m | 2.02m+81mm |
| Height | 1.46m | 1.64m+176mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.53m | 2.75m+224mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 210L | 313L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 800L | 976L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L (better) |
| Seats | Not available | Not available |
| Rear Legroom | 778mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,615kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 40.7kWh | 49kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 190 mi | 193 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 75kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £26,155 (better) | £29,960 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 190 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 158 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 75 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 36.6 kWh | 49 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec | Not available |
| Power | 135 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 290 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
Smart #1
Pure
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
MINI Cooper
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 | MINI CooperCooper E | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £28,900 | £22,900 |
| Average used price | £28,900 | £23,771 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 2 listings | 10 listings (better) |
| Saving vs RRP | At or above new price | £6,189 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Up 4.3% over ~6 months |
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 - MINI Cooper Cooper E
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist77%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Smart #1 Pure
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant96%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist88%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 201,168 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
MINI Cooper
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MINI Cooper
- £28,9002025EV ExpertsView
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #1 worth the extra £3,805 over the MINI Cooper?
The Smart #1 costs £3,805 more than the MINI Cooper. For that premium it adds 55 kW faster peak rapid charging, 103 litres more boot space and 65 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MINI Cooper comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the MINI Cooper or the Smart #1?
The MINI Cooper is £3,805 cheaper to buy. The MINI Cooper is cheaper to charge, roughly £144 a year versus £200 for the Smart #1, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the MINI Cooper comes out roughly £4,085 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the MINI Cooper and Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 158 miles for the MINI Cooper and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MINI Cooper goes roughly 25 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the MINI Cooper or the Smart #1?
The MINI Cooper is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 66 mm narrower than the Smart #1. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 644 mm of total clearance for the MINI Cooper and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1. The MINI Cooper also turns in a 0.6 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MINI Cooper or the Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MINI Cooper and 90% for the Smart #1. That gives the Smart #1 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Smart #1'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 MINI Cooper comparisons
More Smart #1 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 MINI Cooper and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the MINI Cooper and Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MINI Cooper and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MINI Cooper and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the MINI Cooper and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MINI Cooper and Smart #1 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 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.
GuideBuying a Used Smart #1 (2023 on): Pro+, Premium or BRABUS & What to Pay
A used Smart #1 buyer’s guide: the 66 kWh Pro+, Premium and BRABUS and the later 49 kWh Pure and Pro, the seat belt recall, the short car warranty but 8-year battery cover, real-world range, what owners report and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .