MINI Cooper Convertible vs Kia Sorento
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.
MINI Cooper Convertible
From $51,990
Convertible
Petrol
Petrol Turbo
120kW
6.6 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
215L
Kia Sorento
From $54,380
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
148kW
6 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
179L
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Price Breakdown
The MINI Cooper Convertible starts from $51,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia Sorento opens at $54,380. That makes the MINI Cooper Convertible the more affordable entry point by $2,390.
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 $57,189 and $59,818 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
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 MINI Cooper Convertible features a 9.4-inch touchscreen, while the Kia Sorento gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The MINI Cooper Convertible stands out with Apple CarPlay and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Sorento. The Kia Sorento counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the MINI Cooper Convertible gets synthetic leather / cloth upholstery while the Kia Sorento offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the MINI Cooper Convertible and 1-zone in the Kia Sorento.
Drivetrain
The MINI Cooper Convertible uses a Petrol Turbo producing 120kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds.
The Kia Sorento responds with a Diesel making 148kW and 440Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
The Kia Sorento has the clear power advantage at 148kW vs 120kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the MINI Cooper Convertible is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The MINI Cooper Convertible measures 3,879mm long on a 2,495mm wheelbase, 936mm shorter than the Kia Sorento at 4,815mm (2,815mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sorento generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 215L in the MINI Cooper Convertible and 179L in the Kia Sorento, giving the MINI Cooper Convertible a 36L advantage. The Kia Sorento 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 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m 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 $1,881/year for the MINI Cooper Convertible and $1,710/year for the Kia Sorento. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Kia Sorento.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Cooper Convertible) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sorento). The Kia Sorento has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MINI Cooper Convertible if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Sorento if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The MINI Cooper Convertible and Kia Sorento trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Kia Sorento will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the MINI Cooper Convertible has a clear edge. The Kia Sorento 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, MINI Cooper Convertible and Kia Sorento?
The MINI Cooper Convertible is the cheapest at $51,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia Sorento by $2,390.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Sorento uses the least fuel at 6L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia Sorento 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 has the most boot space?
The MINI Cooper Convertible has the largest boot at 215L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Sorento has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Sorento has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Sorento makes the most power at 148kW. 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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