MINI Cooper vs Peugeot 308
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.
Price Breakdown
The MINI Cooper starts from $41,990 before on-road costs, while the Peugeot 308 opens at $48,990. That makes the MINI Cooper the more affordable entry point by $7,000.
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 $46,189 and $53,889 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Peugeot 308 by roughly $2,850 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the MINI Cooper and Peugeot 308 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the MINI Cooper and 79% for the Peugeot 308.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the MINI Cooper and 6 in the Peugeot 308.
Feature Showdown
The MINI Cooper features a 9.4-inch touchscreen, while the Peugeot 308 gets a 10-inch display and 10-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The MINI Cooper stands out with head-up display and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Peugeot 308. The Peugeot 308 counters with panoramic roof, power tailgate and Focal audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the MINI Cooper gets synthetic leather / cloth upholstery while the Peugeot 308 offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The MINI Cooper uses a Petrol Turbo producing 115kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds.
The Peugeot 308 responds with a Hybrid making 100kW and 230Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
The MINI Cooper has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 100kW. In the real-world sprint, the MINI Cooper is 1.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The MINI Cooper measures 3,876mm long on a 2,495mm wheelbase, 489mm shorter than the Peugeot 308 at 4,365mm (2,675mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Peugeot 308 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 210L in the MINI Cooper and 384L in the Peugeot 308, giving the Peugeot 308 a 174L advantage. The Peugeot 308 seats 5 vs 4.
For towing, the Peugeot 308 leads with a 1,150kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 400kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 10.7m
Based on 10.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m 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 $1,767/year for the MINI Cooper and $1,197/year for the Peugeot 308. That is a $570 annual difference in favour of the Peugeot 308.
Estimated annual total: $1,767 (MINI Cooper) vs $1,197 (Peugeot 308). The Peugeot 308 saves you roughly $570 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Cooper) vs 5 years / 200,000km (Peugeot 308). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MINI Cooper if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Peugeot 308 if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Peugeot's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The MINI Cooper and Peugeot 308 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Peugeot 308 will save you roughly $570 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Peugeot 308 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 and Peugeot 308?
The MINI Cooper is the cheapest at $41,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Peugeot 308 by $7,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Peugeot 308 uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — MINI Cooper and Peugeot 308 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Peugeot 308 has the largest boot at 384L.
Which can tow the most?
The Peugeot 308 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,150kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The MINI Cooper makes the most power at 115kW. The MINI Cooper is quickest to 100km/h in 7.9s.
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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