MINI Cooper vs. Subaru WRX
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the MINI Cooper and Subaru WRX 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 MINI Cooper and the Subaru WRX.
In comparing the MINI Cooper's and the Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the MINI Cooper has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Subaru WRX has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the MINI Cooper's and the Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX is a better car than the MINI Cooper.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the MINI Cooper’s base engine makes 121 horsepower, and the Subaru WRX base engine makes 271 horsepower. The Cooper is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 462 miles. The WRX is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles. This gives the MINI Cooper the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru WRX. The Cooper uses gasoline, and the WRX uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru WRX has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The MINI Cooper has the advantage in the area of rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru WRX has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24850
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
33493 - 44163
Starting MSRP:
32735
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
26555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
17795 - 45665
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
9974
Price Range:
6510 - 14815
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
47
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
99330
# Good or Great Deals:
16
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
28855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
19171 - 47673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
150
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
9661
# Good or Great Deals:
26
MINI Cooper Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.523857 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.571573 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
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:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru WRX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
10.1 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.033
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.6546131559024944
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.628292521437344
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.0 - 18.8
MINI Cooper Rankings
Not yet available
Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 22Ranking
20 out of / 22Ranking
22 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
MINI Cooper Trim Levels
Base, John Cooper Works, S
Subaru WRX Trim Levels
Base, GT, Limited, Premium, TR
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
121 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
114 foot-lbs @ 4250 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.044 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
271 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.081 hp per pound
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):
28 / 35 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
370 / 462 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
315 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
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
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
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
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup 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
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
50.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
39.2 inches
Cargo Space:
6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
74.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.1 inches
Cargo Space:
12.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2745 lbs
Width:
75.3 inches
Height:
55.4 inches
Length:
145.6 inches
Wheelbase:
97.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3329 lbs
Width:
79.3 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
183.8 inches
Wheelbase:
105.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R17
Exterior Colors
Beige
Sparkling Silver Metallic
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Horizon Blue Metallic / Ice Blue / Laser Blue Metallic
Brown
Hot Chocolate Metallic
Green
British Racing Green II Metallic
Orange
Spice Orange Metallic
Red
Chili Red
Silver
Pure Silver Metallic / Velvet Silver Metallic / White Silver Metallic
White
Pepper White
Yellow
Interchange Yellow
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Sapphire Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Brown
Not available
Green
Not available
Orange
Solar Orange Pearl
Red
Ignition Red
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Ceramic White
Yellow
Not available
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Polar Beige Gravity Leather
Black
Carbon Black Checkered Cloth / Carbon Black Leatherette / Carbon Black Lounge Leather / Carbon Black Punch Leather
Blue
Ice Blue Leather Cross Check / Carbon Black Cloth
Brown
Hot Chocolate Lounge Leather
Gray
Satellite Gray Lounge Leather
Red
Rooster Red Leather / Carbon Black Cloth
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black with Red Stitching
Blue
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
