Hyundai Santa Fe 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.
Hyundai Santa Fe
From $53,400
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
206kW
9.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
642L
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 Hyundai Santa Fe starts from $53,400 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 $1,410.
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 $58,740 and $57,189 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the MINI Cooper Convertible by roughly $3,565 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 Hyundai Santa Fe 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 Hyundai Santa Fe stands out with power tailgate and BOSE audio that you will not find on 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 Hyundai Santa Fe gets cloth upholstery while the MINI Cooper Convertible offers synthetic leather / cloth.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Santa Fe uses a Petrol producing 206kW and 422Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.2 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 Hyundai Santa Fe has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 120kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Santa Fe measures 4,830mm long on a 2,815mm wheelbase, 951mm longer than the MINI Cooper Convertible at 3,879mm (2,495mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Santa Fe generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 642L in the Hyundai Santa Fe and 215L in the MINI Cooper Convertible, giving the Hyundai Santa Fe a 427L advantage. The Hyundai Santa Fe seats 7 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.1m to 11.6m
Based on 11.6m 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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,594/year for the Hyundai Santa Fe and $1,881/year for the MINI Cooper Convertible. That is a $713 annual difference in favour of the MINI Cooper Convertible.
Estimated annual total: $2,594 (Hyundai Santa Fe) vs $1,881 (MINI Cooper Convertible). The MINI Cooper Convertible saves you roughly $713 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Santa Fe) vs 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Cooper Convertible). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai'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
This is genuinely close. The Hyundai Santa Fe and MINI Cooper Convertible trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The MINI Cooper Convertible will save you roughly $713 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Santa Fe and MINI Cooper Convertible?
The MINI Cooper Convertible is the cheapest at $51,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Santa Fe by $1,410.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MINI Cooper Convertible uses the least fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai Santa Fe all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the largest boot at 642L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Santa Fe makes the most power at 206kW.
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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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