GWM Cannon Alpha vs MINI Cooper Convertible
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
GWM Cannon Alpha
From $52,990
Ute
Diesel
2.4L 4-cylinder Turbo Diesel
135kW
8.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
—
MINI Cooper Convertible
From $51,990
Convertible
Petrol
Petrol Turbo
120kW
6.6 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
215L
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Price Breakdown
The GWM Cannon Alpha starts from $52,990 before on-road costs, while the MINI Cooper Convertible opens at $51,990. That makes the MINI Cooper Convertible the more affordable entry point by $1,000.
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 $58,289 and $57,189 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the MINI Cooper Convertible by roughly $3,280 in fuel alone.
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 GWM Cannon Alpha features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the MINI Cooper Convertible gets a 9.4-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The GWM Cannon Alpha stands out with power tailgate — features our data doesn't list for the MINI Cooper Convertible. The MINI Cooper Convertible counters with ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the GWM Cannon Alpha gets synthetic leather upholstery while the MINI Cooper Convertible offers synthetic leather / cloth.
Drivetrain
The GWM Cannon Alpha uses a 2.4L 4-cylinder Turbo Diesel producing 135kW and 480Nm of torque, sent through a 9-speed automatic to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.5 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 GWM Cannon Alpha has the clear power advantage at 135kW vs 120kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the MINI Cooper Convertible is 2.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The GWM Cannon Alpha measures 5,445mm long on a 3,350mm wheelbase, 1566mm longer than the MINI Cooper Convertible at 3,879mm (2,495mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the GWM Cannon Alpha generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.1m to 13.0m
Based on 13.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.1m 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
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,537/year for the GWM Cannon Alpha and $1,881/year for the MINI Cooper Convertible. That is a $656 annual difference in favour of the MINI Cooper Convertible.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (GWM Cannon Alpha) vs 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Cooper Convertible). The GWM Cannon Alpha has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the GWM Cannon Alpha if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer GWM's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MINI Cooper Convertible if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The MINI Cooper Convertible takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The MINI Cooper Convertible will save you roughly $656 a year in fuel. The GWM Cannon Alpha adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, GWM Cannon Alpha and MINI Cooper Convertible?
The MINI Cooper Convertible is the cheapest at $51,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the GWM Cannon Alpha by $1,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MINI Cooper Convertible uses the least fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
GWM Cannon Alpha holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for MINI Cooper Convertible, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The GWM Cannon Alpha has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The GWM Cannon Alpha has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The GWM Cannon Alpha makes the most power at 135kW. The MINI Cooper Convertible is quickest to 100km/h in 8.2s.
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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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