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MINI Cooper vs VW ID.3
Selected trimCooper EChange trim190 mi · 40.7 kWh · £26,155
At a glance
The VW ID.3 was replaced by the VW ID.3 Neo in 2026. Compare the MINI Cooper with the VW ID.3 Neo
In this comparison, MINI Cooper leads on city driving, while the VW ID.3 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MINI Cooper if...
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the VW ID.3 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
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVW
MINI
5.7
VW
6.2
Motorway RangeVW
MINI
4.4
VW
5.6
FamilyVW
MINI
4.4
VW
7.4
ChargingVW
MINI
5.2
VW
6.5
Cost Per Mile
MINI
8.5
VW
8.4
Too close to call
City DrivingMINI
MINI
9
VW
8.1
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 | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £26,155 (better) | £30,860 |
| Official range | 190 miles | 241 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 210 L | 385 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min | 25 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec (better) | 8.2 sec |
Size Comparison
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MINI Cooper
VW ID.3
Length
MINI Cooper3,858mm-406mm
VW ID.34,264mm
Width
MINI Cooper1,756mm-53mm
VW ID.31,809mm
Height
MINI Cooper1,460mm-104mm
VW ID.31,564mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,858 mm | 4,264 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,756 mm (better) | 1,809 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,944 mm (better) | 2,015 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,564 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m | 10.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 644 mm spare (better) | 591 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 778 mm | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 210 L | 385 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 800 L | 1267 L (better) |
| Frunk | 0 L | 0 L |
| 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.
VW ID.3
- Peak DC charging of 145 kW, faster than 90% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- 2,770 mm wheelbase, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  MINI Cooper Cooper E |  VW ID.3 Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.86m | 4.26m+406mm |
| Width | 1.76m | 1.81m+53mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.94m | 2.02m+71mm |
| Height | 1.46m | 1.56m+104mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.53m | 2.77m+244mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 150mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 210L | 385L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 800L | 1267L (better) |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 778mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m | 10.2m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,615kg (better) | 1,787kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 40.7kWh | 52kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 190 mi | 241 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 75kW | 145kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £26,155 (better) | £30,860 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2024+ | 2024–2026 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 190 miles | 241 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 158 miles | 201 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min | 25 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 75 kW | 145 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 36.6 kWh | 52 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.8 sec (better) | 8.2 sec |
| Power | 135 kW (better) | 125 kW |
| Torque | 290 Nm | 310 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
VW ID.3
Pure Essential
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 ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £28,900 | £20,992 |
| Average used price | £28,900 | £22,699 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 2 listings | 53 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Down 6.4% 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 ID.3 Pure Essential
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | MINI CooperCooper E | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| 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
VW ID.3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MINI Cooper
- £28,9002025EV ExpertsView
VW ID.3
- £26,2992025Car360View
- £20,9922024Car360View
- £21,6992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW ID.3 worth the extra £4,705 over the MINI Cooper?
The VW ID.3 costs £4,705 more than the MINI Cooper. For that premium it adds 51 miles more WLTP range, 70 kW faster peak rapid charging and 175 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the MINI Cooper or the VW ID.3?
The MINI Cooper is £4,705 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 £4,705 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 ID.3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 158 miles for the MINI Cooper and 201 miles for the VW ID.3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The VW ID.3 goes roughly 42 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 25-28 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the MINI Cooper or the VW ID.3?
The MINI Cooper is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 53 mm narrower than the VW ID.3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 644 mm of total clearance for the MINI Cooper and about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MINI Cooper or the VW ID.3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MINI Cooper and 87% for the VW ID.3. That gives the VW ID.3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. 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 MINI Cooper comparisons
More VW ID.3 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 VW ID.3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MINI Cooper and VW ID.3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MINI Cooper and VW ID.3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the MINI Cooper and VW ID.3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MINI Cooper and VW ID.3 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the MINI Cooper and VW ID.3 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .