MINI Cooper vs Abarth 500e
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 Abarth 500e opens at $60,500. That makes the MINI Cooper the more affordable entry point by $18,510.
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 $66,550 respectively.
The Abarth 500e qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The MINI Cooper, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
The MINI Cooper holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Abarth 500e.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The MINI Cooper packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 1 in the Abarth 500e.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the MINI Cooper and 6 in the Abarth 500e.
Feature Showdown
The MINI Cooper features a 9.4-inch touchscreen, while the Abarth 500e gets a 10.3-inch display. 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 Abarth 500e. The Abarth 500e counters with JBL 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 Abarth 500e offers leather & alcantara. Climate control is 2-zone in the MINI Cooper and 1-zone in the Abarth 500e.
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 Abarth 500e responds with a Electric making 113kW and 235Nm, paired to a single-speed automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The MINI Cooper has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 113kW. In the real-world sprint, the Abarth 500e is 0.9s 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, 203mm longer than the Abarth 500e at 3,673mm (2,322mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MINI Cooper generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 210L in the MINI Cooper and 185L in the Abarth 500e, giving the MINI Cooper a 25L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m 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 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (MINI Cooper) vs 3 years / 150,000km (Abarth 500e). The MINI Cooper has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MINI Cooper if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer MINI's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Abarth 500e if: You or prefer Abarth's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The MINI Cooper takes 6 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The MINI Cooper adds peace of mind with a longer 5-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 and Abarth 500e?
The MINI Cooper is the cheapest at $41,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Abarth 500e by $18,510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MINI Cooper uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The MINI Cooper has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The MINI Cooper has the largest boot at 210L.
Which has the best warranty?
The MINI Cooper has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The MINI Cooper makes the most power at 115kW. The Abarth 500e is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
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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