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MINI Electric vs VW e-Golf
Selected trimLevel 1 · 2019-24Change trim145 mi · 32.6 kWh · £27,900
Selected trim24kWh · 2014-17Change trim118 mi · 24.2 kWh · £30,845
At a glance
The MINI Electric was replaced by the MINI Cooper in 2024. Compare the MINI Cooper with the VW e-Golf
In this comparison, MINI Electric leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving, while the VW e-Golf leads on family practicality and charging speed.
Best value
Too close to call
Range & charging
Too close to call
Practicality
Too close to call
Which should you choose?
Choose the MINI Electric if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the VW e-Golf if...
- 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 MINI Electric leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
MINI
4.8
VW
4.4
Too close to call
Motorway RangeMINI
MINI
3.6
VW
2.8
FamilyVW
MINI
4.4
VW
6.7
ChargingVW
MINI
2.5
VW
3.4
Cost Per MileMINI
MINI
7.5
VW
5.8
City DrivingMINI
MINI
8.7
VW
7.3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
MINI Electric
Level 1
- £2,945 cheaper
- 27 miles more WLTP range
- 50 kW more power
- 3.1s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.3 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £27,900 (better) | £30,845 |
| Official range | 145 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Boot space | 211 L | 341 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min | 22 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 10.4 sec |
Size Comparison
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MINI Electric
VW e-Golf
Length
MINI Electric3,845mm-425mm
VW e-Golf4,270mm
Width
MINI Electric1,727mm-72mm
VW e-Golf1,799mm
Height
MINI Electric1,432mm-50mm
VW e-Golf1,482mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,845 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,727 mm (better) | 1,799 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm (better) | 2,027 mm |
| Height | 1,432 mm | 1,482 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m (better) | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 673 mm spare (better) | 601 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 211 L | 341 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 731 L | 1231 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  MINI Electric Level 1 |  VW e-Golf 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.85m | 4.27m+425mm |
| Width | 1.73m | 1.80m+72mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.03m+28mm |
| Height | 1.43m | 1.48m+50mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.50m | 2.63m+136mm |
| Ground Clearance | 127mm | 127mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 211L | 341L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 731L | 1231L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m (better) | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,365kg (better) | 1,585kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 32.6kWh (better) | 24.2kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 145 mi (better) | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 40kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £27,900 (better) | £30,845 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2019–2024 | 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 ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 145 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 121 miles (better) | 71 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | 22 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 40 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 3.6 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 28.9 kWh (better) | 20.5 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 10.4 sec |
| Power | 135 kW (better) | 85 kW |
| Torque | 270 Nm | 270 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
MINI Electric
Level 1
VW e-Golf
24kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £12,287 | £9,795 |
| Average used price | £13,025 | £9,795 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 35 listings (better) | 7 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 37.5% over ~6 months | 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 Electric Level 1
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant79%
Child Occupant73%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist56%
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 ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
MINI Electric
Level 1
Owners love
- Owners consistently say it is huge fun to drive, with instant acceleration, sharp handling and the feel of a MINI.
- It is very efficient on local roads, with owners reporting 4 to 6 miles per kWh or more and tiny running costs on an off-peak tariff.
- Servicing is cheap and simple, mostly checks and software updates.
Watch out for
- Range is the big compromise: owners typically report 100 to 140 miles in summer and 60 to 100 in winter, and far less at 70 mph.
- The range estimate is widely described as pessimistic and unreliable.
- It is small inside, with three doors, a small boot and tight rear seats.
Owner tips
- Buy one only if your regular trips are well under 100 miles, with home charging.
- Use one charging scheduler (the car's or the charger's, not both) to avoid conflicts.
VW e-Golf
24kWh
Owners love
- Owners like that it drives like a normal Golf: refined, comfortable, well built and with physical controls rather than touchscreens.
- Owners report very good efficiency, around 4 to 5 miles per kWh in mild weather, which gives the 35.8 kWh car roughly 120 to 140 miles.
- The battery pack has a good reliability record, with very few reported failures.
Watch out for
- Winter range drops sharply: owners of the 35.8 kWh car report around 90 to 100 miles in cold weather, and less without a heat pump.
- Rapid charging is slow by current standards (40 kW peak, tapering above about 80%), so long trips need long stops.
- Several owners report the charge-port lock actuator wearing out, clicking after charging or stopping the car from charging.
Owner tips
- Check whether the car has the optional heat pump before buying; it is not on every car.
- On rapid chargers stop at about 80%, because the last 20% takes disproportionately long.
Buying options
Get a quote
MINI Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Golf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MINI Electric
- £17,8682023Car360View
- £12,5712020Car360View
- £27,9732025Car360View
VW e-Golf
- £9,7952017Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW e-Golf worth the extra £2,945 over the MINI Electric?
The VW e-Golf costs £2,945 more than the MINI Electric. For that premium it adds 130 litres more boot space and 1 more seat (5 versus 4). The MINI Electric is not just cheaper - it also offers 27 miles more WLTP range, 50 kW more power and a 3.1s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MINI Electric comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the MINI Electric or the VW e-Golf?
The MINI Electric is £2,945 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the MINI Electric comes out roughly £3,025 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 Electric and VW e-Golf like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 121 miles for the MINI Electric 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 Electric goes roughly 50 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 31 minutes in the MINI Electric and 22 in the VW e-Golf, so the VW e-Golf loses less time at each stop. So the MINI Electric stops less often while the VW e-Golf stops for less time - pick on which you would rather do.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the MINI Electric or the VW e-Golf?
The MINI Electric is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 72 mm narrower than the VW e-Golf. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 673 mm of total clearance for the MINI Electric and about 601 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Golf. The MINI Electric also turns in a 0.3 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MINI Electric or the VW e-Golf?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MINI Electric 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.
More MINI Electric comparisons
More VW e-Golf 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 Electric and VW e-Golf rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MINI Electric and VW e-Golf rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MINI Electric and VW e-Golf rank among the best city EVsWhere the MINI Electric and VW e-Golf rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MINI Electric and VW e-Golf rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the MINI Electric and VW e-Golf 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.
GuideUsed MINI Electric buyer's guide (2020-2024)
Buying a used MINI Electric (Cooper SE): one battery, three trims, realistic range, what owners report, recalls and what to pay in 2026, and how it differs from the new Cooper E.
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 .