Subaru Impreza vs MINI Cooper
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.
Data checked: specs 31 Aug 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$36,490RRP
- no option data for this car
$41,990RRP
- with the Subaru Impreza's standard kit: $41,990 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Subaru Impreza starts from $36,490 before on-road costs, while the MINI Cooper opens at $41,990. That makes the Subaru Impreza the more affordable entry point by $5,500.
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 $40,139 and $46,189 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the MINI Cooper by roughly $1,855 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.
Recalls on our record
Subaru Impreza
- REC-001603 · published 2 Jun 2021Due to improper Engine Control Module (ECM) programming, the ignition coil may overheat, creating a short circuit which may blow the ignition coil fuse.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2020
- REC-001222 · published 4 Nov 2019Over time the aluminium positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may fracture, allowing the engine to draw an increased amount of engine oil.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2019
- REC-001223 · published 1 Nov 2019Due to improper Engine Control Module (ECM) programming, the ignition coil may overheat, creating a short circuit and blowing the fuse.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2019
- 6 more on the model page.
MINI Cooper
- REC-006442 · published 8 Oct 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the front passenger and/or driver seatbelts may not meet the required specifications.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006091 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2024
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Subaru Impreza features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the MINI Cooper gets a 9.4-inch display.
The MINI Cooper counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Subaru Impreza gets cloth upholstery while the MINI Cooper offers synthetic leather / cloth.
Drivetrain
The Subaru Impreza uses a Petrol I4 Boxer producing 115kW and 196Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout.
The MINI Cooper responds with a Petrol Turbo making 115kW and 230Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru Impreza measures 4,490mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 614mm longer than the MINI Cooper at 3,876mm (2,495mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Impreza generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 291L in the Subaru Impreza and 210L in the MINI Cooper, giving the Subaru Impreza a 81L advantage. The Subaru Impreza seats 5 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 10.7m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.7m 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 $2,138/year for the Subaru Impreza and $1,767/year for the MINI Cooper. That is a $371 annual difference in favour of the MINI Cooper.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Impreza) vs 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Cooper). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru Impreza if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MINI Cooper if: You want lower running costs, or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (63 vs 69). The Subaru Impreza and MINI Cooper trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The MINI Cooper will save you roughly $371 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru Impreza has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Subaru Impreza and MINI Cooper?
The Subaru Impreza is the cheapest at $36,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the MINI Cooper by $5,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MINI Cooper uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Subaru Impreza holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for MINI Cooper, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru Impreza has the largest boot at 291L with the seats up.
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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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