BMW i3 vs. MINI Cooper
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i3 and MINI Cooper contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW i3 and the MINI Cooper.
When comparing the BMW i3's and the MINI Cooper's specifications and ratings, the BMW i3 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The MINI Cooper has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the BMW i3's and the MINI Cooper's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2021 BMW i3 ranges from $22,900 to $33,661 while a used 2011 MINI Cooper is priced between $4,991 to $11,993.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i3’s base engine makes 168 horsepower, and the MINI Cooper base engine makes 121 horsepower. The i3 is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 197 miles. The Cooper is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. This gives the MINI Cooper the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW i3. The i3 uses electricity, premium unleaded, and the Cooper uses gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW i3 has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The MINI Cooper has the advantage in the areas of front leg room and rear head room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$48,300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$51,950
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$44,550 - $67,300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$19,400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$28,187
Price Range:
$22,900 - $33,661
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$37,708
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
$28,187 - $54,808
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
44
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
25,946
# Good or Great Deals:
24
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$7,991
Price Range:
$4,991 - $11,993
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
75
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
97,905
# Good or Great Deals:
19
BMW i3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
6.5 / 10
Reliability:
6.1 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
MINI Cooper Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
7.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
7.4 - 8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for MINI Cooper
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact Cars)
3.2 - 28.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.7
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW i3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 20Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
28 out of / 28MINI Cooper Rankings
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW i3 Trim Levels
Base, s
MINI Cooper Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
168 hp
Torque:
184 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
121 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
114 foot-lbs @ 4250 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.047 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
0.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
2
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
30 / 31 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
195 / 197 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 37 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.2 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
50.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
29.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
44.7 inches
Cargo Space:
5.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
81.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3276 lbs
Width:
80.3 inches
Height:
62.9 inches
Length:
158.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2568 lbs
Width:
75.8 inches
Height:
55.4 inches
Length:
145.6 inches
Wheelbase:
97.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 5.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
155/70R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 5.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
175/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Fluid Black w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Blue
Imperial Blue Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Gold
Galvanic Gold Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Metallic Highlight
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Silver
Cashmere Silver Metallic w/ BMW i Blue Highlight
White
Capparis White w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Horizon Blue Metallic / Ice Blue / Laser Blue Metallic
Gold
Not available
Gray
Not available
Silver
Pure Silver Metallic / Velvet Silver Metallic / White Silver Metallic
White
Pepper White
Beige
Sparkling Silver Metallic
Brown
Hot Chocolate Metallic
Green
British Racing Green II Metallic
Orange
Spice Orange Metallic
Red
Chili Red
Yellow
Interchange Yellow
Interior Colors
Brown
Tera Dark Truffle
Gray
Deka Dark / Giga Brown w/ Carum Spice Grey Wool Cloth / Mega Carum Spice Grey w/ Brown Cloth Highlight
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Toffee Leather Cross Check / Carbon Black Cloth
Gray
Not available
Beige
Polar Beige Gravity Leather
Black
Carbon Black Checkered Cloth / Carbon Black Leatherette / Carbon Black Lounge Leather / Carbon Black Punch Leather
Green
Classic Green Lounge Leather
Red
Rooster Red Leather / Carbon Black Cloth
