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MINI Cooper vs VW e-Golf
Selected trimCooper EChange trim190 mi · 40.7 kWh · £26,155
Selected trim24kWh · 2014-17Change trim118 mi · 24.2 kWh · £30,845
At a glance
In this comparison, MINI Cooper leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed, while the VW e-Golf leads on family practicality.
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 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 VW e-Golf if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
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
VW
4.4
Motorway RangeMINI
MINI
4.4
VW
2.8
FamilyVW
MINI
4.4
VW
6.7
ChargingMINI
MINI
5.2
VW
3.4
Cost Per MileMINI
MINI
8.5
VW
5.8
City DrivingMINI
MINI
9
VW
7.3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
- £4,690 cheaper
- 72 miles more WLTP range
- 35 kW faster rapid charging
- 50 kW more power
- 2.6s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.5 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £26,155 (better) | £30,845 |
| Official range | 190 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Boot space | 210 L | 341 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min | 22 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec (better) | 10.4 sec |
Size Comparison
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MINI Cooper
VW e-Golf
Length
MINI Cooper3,858mm-412mm
VW e-Golf4,270mm
Width
MINI Cooper1,756mm-43mm
VW e-Golf1,799mm
Height
MINI Cooper1,460mm-22mm
VW e-Golf1,482mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,858 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,756 mm (better) | 1,799 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,944 mm (better) | 2,027 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,482 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 644 mm spare (better) | 601 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 778 mm | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 210 L | 341 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 800 L | 1231 L (better) |
| Frunk | 0 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  MINI Cooper Cooper E |  VW e-Golf 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.86m | 4.27m+412mm |
| Width | 1.76m | 1.80m+43mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.94m | 2.03m+83mm |
| Height | 1.46m | 1.48m+22mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.53m | 2.63m+105mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 127mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 210L | 341L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 800L | 1231L (better) |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 778mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,615kg | 1,585kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 40.7kWh (better) | 24.2kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 190 mi (better) | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 75kW (better) | 40kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £26,155 (better) | £30,845 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2024+ | 2014–2017 |
* VW e-Golf: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 190 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 158 miles (better) | 71 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min | 22 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 75 kW (better) | 40 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 3.6 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 36.6 kWh (better) | 20.5 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec (better) | 10.4 sec |
| Power | 135 kW (better) | 85 kW |
| Torque | 290 Nm (better) | 270 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
VW e-Golf
24kWh
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 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £28,900 | £9,795 |
| Average used price | £28,900 | £9,795 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 2 listings | 7 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Up 3.2% 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 - VW e-Golf 24kWh
Tested 2012
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist71%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
MINI Cooper
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Golf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MINI Cooper
- £28,9002025EV ExpertsView
VW e-Golf
- £9,7952017Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW e-Golf worth the extra £4,690 over the MINI Cooper?
The VW e-Golf costs £4,690 more than the MINI Cooper. For that premium it adds 131 litres more boot space. The MINI Cooper is not just cheaper - it also offers 72 miles more WLTP range, 35 kW faster peak rapid charging and 50 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 VW e-Golf?
The MINI Cooper is £4,690 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 £4,810 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 VW e-Golf like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 158 miles for the MINI Cooper and 71 miles for the VW e-Golf - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MINI Cooper goes roughly 88 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 22-28 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the MINI Cooper or the VW e-Golf?
The MINI Cooper is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 43 mm narrower than the VW e-Golf. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 644 mm of total clearance for the MINI Cooper and about 601 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Golf. The MINI Cooper 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 MINI Cooper or the VW e-Golf?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MINI Cooper and 84% for the VW e-Golf. 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.
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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 MINI Cooper and VW e-Golf rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MINI Cooper and VW e-Golf rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MINI Cooper and VW e-Golf rank among the best city EVsWhere the MINI Cooper and VW e-Golf rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MINI Cooper and VW e-Golf rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the MINI Cooper and VW e-Golf rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
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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.
GuideUsed VW e-Golf buyer's guide (2014-2020)
Buying a used Volkswagen e-Golf: the 24.2 and 35.8 kWh versions, the battery warranty running out, realistic range, the charge-port fault owners report, recalls and what to pay in 2026.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .