MINI Cooper vs Subaru WRX
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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.
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Price Breakdown
The MINI Cooper starts from $41,990 before on-road costs, while the Subaru WRX opens at $48,190. That makes the MINI Cooper the more affordable entry point by $6,200.
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 $53,009 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the MINI Cooper by roughly $5,275 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 features a 9.4-inch touchscreen, while the Subaru WRX gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The MINI Cooper stands out with head-up display, wireless charging and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Subaru WRX. The Subaru WRX counters with Harman Kardon 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 Subaru WRX offers cloth.
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 Subaru WRX responds with a Petrol making 202kW and 350Nm, paired to a manual driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Subaru WRX has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 115kW. In the real-world sprint, the Subaru WRX is 1.5s 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, 794mm shorter than the Subaru WRX at 4,670mm (2,675mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru WRX generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 210L in the MINI Cooper and 414L in the Subaru WRX, giving the Subaru WRX a 204L advantage. The Subaru WRX seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.7m to 11.2m
Based on 10.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m 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 $1,767/year for the MINI Cooper and $2,822/year for the Subaru WRX. That is a $1,055 annual difference in favour of the MINI Cooper.
Estimated annual total: $1,767 (MINI Cooper) vs $2,822 (Subaru WRX). The MINI Cooper saves you roughly $1,055 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 / 999,999km (Subaru WRX). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MINI Cooper 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 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The MINI Cooper and Subaru WRX trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The MINI Cooper will save you roughly $1,055 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru WRX 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 Subaru WRX?
The MINI Cooper is the cheapest at $41,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru WRX by $6,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MINI Cooper uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — MINI Cooper all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru WRX has the largest boot at 414L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru WRX makes the most power at 202kW. The Subaru WRX 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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