BMW 4 Series vs MINI John Cooper Works: Specs Compared
Also searched as MINI John Cooper Works vs BMW 4 Series specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The BMW 4 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the MINI John Cooper Works, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the BMW 4 Series leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
MINI John Cooper Works
Subcompact Cars · 56 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW 4 Series | MINI John Cooper Works |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 31 mpg ✓ | 30 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 28 mpg ✓ | 27 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 36 mpg | 37 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,450 ✓ | $2,550 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 285 g/mi ✓ | 288 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S | SIDI & PFI, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd | Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium |
| EPA class | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 160 | 56 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
BMW 4 Series vs MINI John Cooper Works: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the BMW 4 Series burns about $2,450 of fuel annually against $2,550 for the MINI John Cooper Works. That $100 yearly gap compounds to roughly $500 over five years and $800 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the BMW 4 Series is the stronger commuter at 28 mpg city, while the MINI John Cooper Works pulls ahead on the interstate at 37 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the BMW 4 Series is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid), the MINI John Cooper Works with 2 (SIDI & PFI, SIDI). Across 160 recorded BMW 4 Series configurations and 56 for the MINI John Cooper Works, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the BMW 4 Series is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, the MINI John Cooper Works with Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Compact Cars and Subcompact Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the BMW 4 Series emits 285 g/mile of CO2 versus 288 g/mile for the MINI John Cooper Works. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
4 Series vs John Cooper Works: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW 4 Series or the MINI John Cooper Works?
The BMW 4 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the MINI John Cooper Works, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the BMW 4 Series runs about $2,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,550 for the MINI John Cooper Works — a difference of roughly $100 per year.
What engines do the 4 Series and John Cooper Works offer?
BMW 4 Series: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S. MINI John Cooper Works: SIDI & PFI, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the BMW 4 Series as Compact Cars and the MINI John Cooper Works as Subcompact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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