GAC Aion UT vs MINI Cooper
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks 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.
Data checked: specs 20 Sep 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$31,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$41,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the GAC Aion UT & MINI Cooper
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The GAC Aion UT starts from $31,990 before on-road costs, while the MINI Cooper opens at $41,990. That makes the GAC Aion UT the more affordable entry point by $10,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $35,189 and $46,189 respectively.
The GAC Aion UT currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The MINI Cooper does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
GAC Aion UT
None open on our record
MINI Cooper
- REC-006442 · published 8 Oct 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the front passenger and/or driver seatbelts may not meet the required specifications.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006091 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2024
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
60kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 87kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (6.6kW AC, 87kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The GAC Aion UT features a 14.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.8-inch digital dash, while the MINI Cooper gets a 9.4-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The GAC Aion UT stands out with Apple CarPlay, heated front seats and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the MINI Cooper. The MINI Cooper counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the GAC Aion UT gets pvc upholstery while the MINI Cooper offers synthetic leather / cloth.
Drivetrain
The GAC Aion UT uses a Electric producing 150kW and 210Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds.
The MINI Cooper responds with a Petrol Turbo making 115kW and 230Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
The GAC Aion UT has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 115kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the GAC Aion UT is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The GAC Aion UT measures 4,270mm long on a 2,750mm wheelbase, 394mm longer than the MINI Cooper at 3,876mm (2,495mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the GAC Aion UT generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 321L in the GAC Aion UT and 210L in the MINI Cooper, giving the GAC Aion UT a 111L advantage. The GAC Aion UT seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.7m to 11.2m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 8 years / 999,999km (GAC Aion UT) vs 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Cooper). The GAC Aion UT has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the GAC Aion UT if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer GAC's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MINI Cooper if: You or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
GAC Aion UT: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 69
The GAC Aion UT comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 69), taking 6 of 7 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: safety (GAC Aion UT ahead by 21), value (GAC Aion UT ahead by 8), reliability (GAC Aion UT ahead by 4). If boot space matters, the GAC Aion UT has a clear edge. The GAC Aion UT adds peace of mind with a longer 8-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, GAC Aion UT and MINI Cooper?
The GAC Aion UT is the cheapest at $31,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the MINI Cooper by $10,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MINI Cooper uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
GAC Aion UT holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for MINI Cooper, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The GAC Aion UT has the largest boot at 321L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The GAC Aion UT has the longest warranty at 8 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The GAC Aion UT makes the most power at 150kW. The GAC Aion UT is quickest to 100km/h in 7.3s.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
