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MINI Cooper vs Vauxhall Frontera
Selected trimCooper EChange trim190 mi · 40.7 kWh · £26,155
Selected trimDesignChange trim186 mi · 44 kWh · £23,995
At a glance
In this comparison, MINI Cooper leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Vauxhall Frontera counters with the lowest price.
Which should you choose?
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 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 1.8p 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 MINI Cooper wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueMINI
MINI
5.7
Vauxhall
5
Motorway RangeMINI
MINI
4.4
Vauxhall
3.6
FamilyMINI
MINI
4.4
Vauxhall
3
ChargingMINI
MINI
5.2
Vauxhall
2.6
Cost Per MileMINI
MINI
8.5
Vauxhall
6.2
City DrivingMINI
MINI
9
Vauxhall
6.7
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 | MINI CooperCooper E | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £26,155 | £23,995 (better) |
| Official range | 190 miles (better) | 186 miles |
| Boot space | 210 L | 460 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec (better) | 12.1 sec |
Size Comparison
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MINI Cooper
Vauxhall Frontera
Length
MINI Cooper3,858mm-527mm
Vauxhall Frontera4,385mm
Width
MINI Cooper1,756mm-39mm
Vauxhall Frontera1,795mm
Height
MINI Cooper1,460mm-200mm
Vauxhall Frontera1,660mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,858 mm | 4,385 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,756 mm (better) | 1,795 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,944 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 11.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 644 mm spare (better) | 605 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 778 mm | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 210 L | 460 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 800 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 0 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  MINI Cooper Cooper E |  Vauxhall Frontera Design |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.86m | 4.38m+527mm |
| Width | 1.76m | 1.79m+39mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.94m | Not available |
| Height | 1.46m | 1.66m+200mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.53m | 2.67m+144mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 210L | 460L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 800L | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 778mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 11.05m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,615kg | 1,573kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 40.7kWh | 44kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 190 mi (better) | 186 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 75kW | 100kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £26,155 | £23,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £26,155 (not eligible) | £22,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2025+ |
* Vauxhall Frontera: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 190 miles (better) | 186 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 158 miles (better) | 155 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 75 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 36.6 kWh | 43.8 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 | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec (better) | 12.1 sec |
| Power | 135 kW (better) | 83 kW |
| Torque | 290 Nm (better) | 125 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
Vauxhall Frontera
Design
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 | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £28,900 | £15,949 |
| Average used price | £28,900 | £15,949 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 2 listings (better) | 1 listing |
| Saving vs RRP | At or above new price | £8,046 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | 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 - 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 - Vauxhall Frontera Design
Vauxhall Frontera Design
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | Vauxhall FronteraDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
MINI Cooper
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Vauxhall Frontera
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MINI Cooper
- £28,9002025EV ExpertsView
Vauxhall Frontera
- £15,9492026Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the MINI Cooper worth the extra £2,160 over the Vauxhall Frontera?
The MINI Cooper costs £2,160 more than the Vauxhall Frontera. For that premium it adds 52 kW more power and a 4.3s quicker 0-62mph time. The Vauxhall Frontera is not just cheaper - it also offers 25 kW faster peak rapid charging and 250 litres more boot space. 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 Vauxhall Frontera?
The Vauxhall Frontera is £2,160 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 Vauxhall Frontera comes out roughly £2,080 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the MINI Cooper and Vauxhall Frontera like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 158 miles for the MINI Cooper and 155 miles for the Vauxhall Frontera - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the MINI Cooper or the Vauxhall Frontera?
The MINI Cooper is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 39 mm narrower than the Vauxhall Frontera. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 644 mm of total clearance for the MINI Cooper and about 605 mm of total clearance for the Vauxhall Frontera. The MINI Cooper 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 MINI Cooper or the Vauxhall Frontera?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MINI Cooper and 90% for the Vauxhall Frontera. That gives the Vauxhall Frontera a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Vauxhall Frontera'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 Vauxhall Frontera 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 Vauxhall Frontera rank among EVs under £30,000Where the MINI Cooper and Vauxhall Frontera rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MINI Cooper and Vauxhall Frontera rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MINI Cooper and Vauxhall Frontera rank among the best city EVsWhere the MINI Cooper and Vauxhall Frontera rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MINI Cooper and Vauxhall Frontera 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 Vauxhall Frontera Electric (2025 on): 44 or 54 kWh, Brake Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used Vauxhall Frontera Electric buyer’s guide: 44 kWh and Extended Range compared, the brake recalls on 2025-built cars, warranty, realistic range, what to pay against new with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .