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MINI Electric vs VW e-Up!
Selected trimLevel 1 · 2019-24Change trim145 mi · 32.6 kWh · £27,900
Selected trim32kWh · 2020-23Change trim162 mi · 36.8 kWh · £23,195
At a glance
The MINI Electric was replaced by the MINI Cooper in 2024. Compare the MINI Cooper with the VW e-Up!
In this comparison, MINI Electric leads on motorway range and running costs, while the VW e-Up! leads on city driving.
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
Choose the VW e-Up! if...
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Electric edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
Value
MINI
4.8
VW
5.2
Too close to call
Motorway RangeMINI
MINI
3.6
VW
2.7
Family
MINI
4.4
VW
4.2
Too close to call
Cost Per MileMINI
MINI
7.5
VW
6.6
City DrivingVW
MINI
8.7
VW
9.5
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 ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £27,900 | £23,195 (better) |
| Official range | 145 miles | 162 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 211 L | 250 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min (better) | 49 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 11.9 sec |
Size Comparison
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MINI Electric
VW e-Up!
Length
MINI Electric3,845mm
VW e-Up!3,600mm-245mm
Width
MINI Electric1,727mm
VW e-Up!1,645mm-82mm
Height
MINI Electric1,432mm-60mm
VW e-Up!1,492mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,845 mm | 3,600 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,727 mm | 1,645 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | 1,910 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,432 mm | 1,492 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 9.8 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 673 mm spare | 755 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 211 L | 250 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 731 L | 923 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
MINI Electric
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
VW e-Up!
- At 3,600 mm, shorter than 90% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 1,645 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  MINI Electric Level 1 |  VW e-Up! 32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.85m | 3.60m-245mm |
| Width | 1.73m | 1.65m-82mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 1.91m-89mm |
| Height | 1.43m | 1.49m+60mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.50m | 2.42m-75mm |
| Ground Clearance | 127mm | 138mm+11mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 211L | 250L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 731L | 923L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m | 9.8m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,365kg | 1,274kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 32.6kWh | 36.8kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 145 mi | 162 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 40kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £27,900 | £23,195 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2019–2024 | 2020–2023 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 145 miles | 162 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 121 miles (better) | 116 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min (better) | 49 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 40 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 144 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 28.9 kWh | 32.3 kWh (better) |
| 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-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 11.9 sec |
| Power | 135 kW (better) | 61 kW |
| Torque | 270 Nm (better) | 212 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-Up!
32kWh
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-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £12,287 | £8,995 |
| Average used price | £13,025 | £10,348 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 35 listings (better) | 2 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 95.4% over ~6 months | Down 1.4% 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 Electric Level 1
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant79%
Child Occupant73%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist56%
Euro NCAP - VW e-Up! 32kWh
Tested 2019
Adult Occupant81%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users46%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 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-Up!
32kWh
Owners love
- Fun, responsive driving experience with excellent handling and smooth, quiet operation suited to city driving
- Compact size makes parking and maneuvering effortless, while feeling surprisingly solid and well-built
- Customizable regenerative braking with multiple selectable levels allows drivers to tailor efficiency to their preference
Watch out for
- Severely overpriced relative to petrol equivalents, with pricing that has hindered market adoption and resale values
- Limited real-world range (60-100 miles depending on model year) requires careful journey planning for longer trips
- UK home charging limited to 3.6kW on standard single-phase supply despite marketing claims of 7.2kW capability
Owner tips
- Verify actual UK charging specifications (3.6kW single-phase vs. 7.2kW three-phase) and test charging rates before purchase to avoid disappointment
- Negotiate aggressively with dealers—significant discounts from list price are routinely available on stock vehicles
Buying options
Get a quote
MINI Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Up!
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MINI Electric
- £22,7992025Car360View
- £12,5712020Car360View
- £17,8682023Car360View
VW e-Up!
- £10,4952021Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Is the MINI Electric worth the extra £4,705 over the VW e-Up!?
The MINI Electric costs £4,705 more than the VW e-Up!. For that premium it adds 74 kW more power and a 4.6s 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-Up!?
The VW e-Up! is £4,705 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 VW e-Up! comes out roughly £4,665 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-Up! like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 121 miles for the MINI Electric and 116 miles for the VW e-Up! - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 31 minutes in the MINI Electric and 49 in the VW e-Up!, so the MINI Electric loses less time at each stop.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the MINI Electric or the VW e-Up!?
The VW e-Up! is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 82 mm narrower than the MINI Electric. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 755 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Up! and about 673 mm of total clearance for the MINI Electric. The VW e-Up! also turns in a 0.8 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-Up!?
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-Up!. 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-Up! 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-Up! rank among EVs under £30,000Where the MINI Electric and VW e-Up! rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MINI Electric and VW e-Up! rank among the best small electric carsWhere the MINI Electric and VW e-Up! rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MINI Electric and VW e-Up! rank among the best city EVsWhere the MINI Electric and VW e-Up! rank among the cheapest EVs to run
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-up!, SEAT Mii Electric and Skoda Citigo e iV buyer's guide
Buying a used VW e-up! or its twins, the SEAT Mii Electric and Skoda Citigo e iV: the 18.7 and 32.3 kWh versions, the 7 kW charging setting, range, owner reports and what to pay in 2026.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .