Head-to-head
Mini Cooper Electric vs Abarth 500e
Just $1,510 separates the Mini Cooper Electric and Abarth 500e on starting price, but the Mini Cooper Electric goes 130 km further on a charge. Here's where the rest of the spec sheets pull apart.
Option A · Hatch
Mini Cooper Electric
The new Mini Cooper Electric — built initially in China through the Spotlight Automotive joint venture, with UK production from 2026. Two electric variants (Cooper E and Cooper SE) replace the petrol Mini hatch in many markets.
- From
- $58,990
- Range
- 400 km
- Battery
- 54.2 kWh
Option B · Hatch
Abarth 500e
Abarth-flavoured Fiat 500e with more power, sharper chassis tuning, and an artificial 'engine note' speaker. A genuinely fun small EV with niche appeal.
- From
- $60,500
- Range
- 270 km
- Battery
- 42 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Mini Cooper Electric and Abarth 500e, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage Mini Cooper Electric
The Mini Cooper Electric goes 130 km further on a charge (400 vs 270 km WLTP).
- 2
Power · advantage Mini Cooper Electric
The Mini Cooper Electric puts down 76.3 kW more (190 vs 113.7 kW).
- 3
Battery · advantage Mini Cooper Electric
The Mini Cooper Electric carries a 12.2 kWh larger battery (54.2 vs 42 kWh).
- 4
Warranty · advantage Mini Cooper Electric
The Mini Cooper Electric covers the vehicle for 2 more years (5 vs 3 yrs).
- 5
Price · advantage Mini Cooper Electric
The Mini Cooper Electric undercuts the Abarth 500e by $1,510 (2%) on starting price.
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Mini Cooper Electric wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $1,510
- ▸ 130 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Longer warranty (5 years)
Where the Abarth 500e wins
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (7s vs 7.3s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (85 kW vs 75 kW)
Mini Cooper Electric
What we like
- ✓ Iconic Mini design and character
- ✓ Fresh 5-star ANCAP rating from 2025
- ✓ Energetic 0–100 from the SE variant
What we don't
- ✕ Tiny 211 L boot for a hatch
- ✕ DC charging peak (75 kW) trails Korean/Chinese rivals
- ✕ China origin matters to some Mini fans
Abarth 500e
What we like
- ✓ Genuinely entertaining small EV to drive
- ✓ Iconic Abarth styling
- ✓ Distinctive simulated engine sound
What we don't
- ✕ Range under 280 km WLTP
- ✕ Tiny boot
- ✕ Premium over the standard 500e
Frequently asked: Mini Cooper Electric vs Abarth 500e
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Mini Cooper Electric or the Abarth 500e?
- The Mini Cooper Electric is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $58,990 versus $60,500 for the Abarth 500e, a $1,510 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Mini Cooper Electric has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 400 km, 130 km further than the Abarth 500e's 270 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Abarth 500e accepts a peak DC charging rate of 85 kW versus 75 kW for the Mini Cooper Electric. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which has the longer warranty?
- The Mini Cooper Electric is covered by a 5-year vehicle warranty, versus 3 years for the Abarth 500e. Both also carry separate high-voltage battery warranties — check the manufacturer's site for the latest kilometre and condition limits.
- How do they compare on safety?
- The Mini Cooper Electric has a 5-star ANCAP rating versus 4 stars for the Abarth 500e. ANCAP star ratings reflect testing under a specific protocol year — newer ratings are generally a higher bar than older ones, so always cross-check the test year.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Mini Cooper Electric
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (130 km further per charge)
- ✓ peace-of-mind warranty matters (2 more years of cover)
- ✓ you match the profile: mini loyalists
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.