Abarth 124 Spider vs MINI Cooper Convertible
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Convertibles compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Reference image · overseas modelAbarth 124 Spider
Price TBC
Convertible
Unleaded 95 RON
—
125kW
6.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
MINI Cooper Convertible
From $51,990
Convertible
Petrol
Petrol Turbo
120kW
6.6 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
215L
Abarth 124 Spider: we're still completing price, kerb weight, ground clearance, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Abarth 124 Spider features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the MINI Cooper Convertible gets a 9.4-inch display.
The Abarth 124 Spider stands out with heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the MINI Cooper Convertible. The MINI Cooper Convertible counters with Apple CarPlay and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Abarth 124 Spider gets leather & microfibre (abarth sports seats) upholstery while the MINI Cooper Convertible offers synthetic leather / cloth.
Drivetrain
The Abarth 124 Spider lines up producing 125kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds.
The MINI Cooper Convertible responds with a Petrol Turbo making 120kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Abarth 124 Spider has the clear power advantage at 125kW vs 120kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Abarth 124 Spider is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Abarth 124 Spider measures 4,054mm long on a 2,310mm wheelbase, 175mm longer than the MINI Cooper Convertible at 3,879mm (2,495mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MINI Cooper Convertible generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.1m diameter
Average
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.7 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,824/year for the Abarth 124 Spider and $1,881/year for the MINI Cooper Convertible. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the Abarth 124 Spider.
Warranty: 3 years / 150,000km (Abarth 124 Spider) vs 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Cooper Convertible). The MINI Cooper Convertible has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Abarth 124 Spider if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Abarth's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MINI Cooper Convertible if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Abarth 124 Spider takes 3 of 4 key spec categories. The Abarth 124 Spider will save you roughly $57 a year in fuel. The MINI Cooper Convertible adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Abarth 124 Spider and MINI Cooper Convertible?
The MINI Cooper Convertible is the cheapest at $51,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Abarth 124 Spider uses the least fuel at 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Abarth 124 Spider and MINI Cooper Convertible carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the best warranty?
The MINI Cooper Convertible has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Abarth 124 Spider makes the most power at 125kW. The Abarth 124 Spider is quickest to 100km/h in 6.8s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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