MINI Cooper Convertible vs Subaru WRX Sportswagon
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
Subaru WRX Sportswagon
From $52,290
Wagon
Petrol
Petrol
202kW
8.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
492L
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Price Breakdown
The MINI Cooper Convertible starts from $51,990 before on-road costs, while the Subaru WRX Sportswagon opens at $52,290. That makes the MINI Cooper Convertible the more affordable entry point by $300.
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 $57,519 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the MINI Cooper Convertible by roughly $2,710 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 MINI Cooper Convertible features a 9.4-inch touchscreen, while the Subaru WRX Sportswagon gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The MINI Cooper Convertible stands out with ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru WRX Sportswagon. 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 Subaru WRX Sportswagon offers cloth.
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 Subaru WRX Sportswagon responds with a Petrol making 202kW and 350Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 120kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Subaru WRX Sportswagon is 1.8s 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, 876mm shorter than the Subaru WRX Sportswagon at 4,755mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru WRX Sportswagon generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 215L in the MINI Cooper Convertible and 492L in the Subaru WRX Sportswagon, giving the Subaru WRX Sportswagon a 277L advantage. The Subaru WRX Sportswagon seats 5 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.1m
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m 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 $2,423/year for the Subaru WRX Sportswagon. That is a $542 annual difference in favour of the MINI Cooper Convertible.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Cooper Convertible) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru WRX Sportswagon). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
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.
Buy the Subaru WRX Sportswagon if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The MINI Cooper Convertible will save you roughly $542 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru WRX Sportswagon 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, MINI Cooper Convertible and Subaru WRX Sportswagon?
The MINI Cooper Convertible is the cheapest at $51,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru WRX Sportswagon by $300.
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?
None of MINI Cooper Convertible and Subaru WRX Sportswagon carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon has the largest boot at 492L.
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon makes the most power at 202kW. The Subaru WRX Sportswagon is quickest to 100km/h in 6.4s.
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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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