BMW Z4 vs MINI Cooper
The MINI Cooper is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 110 mpg combined versus 28 mpg for the BMW Z4, a 82 mpg advantage and costs about $2,000 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the MINI Cooper leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW Z4 | MINI Cooper |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 28 mpg | 110 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 25 mpg | 119 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 33 mpg | 100 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,700 | $700 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 312 g/mi | 272 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, 1.6 |
| Transmissions | Manual 6-spd, Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S7) | Automatic (AM-S7), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium, Electricity |
| EPA class | Two Seaters | Subcompact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 25 | 135 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Z4 vs Cooper: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW Z4 or the MINI Cooper?
The MINI Cooper is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 110 mpg combined versus 28 mpg for the BMW Z4, a 82 mpg advantage and costs about $2,000 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the MINI Cooper runs about $700 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,700 for the BMW Z4 — a difference of roughly $2,000 per year.
What engines do the Z4 and Cooper offer?
BMW Z4: SIDI. MINI Cooper: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, 1.6.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the BMW Z4 as Two Seaters and the MINI Cooper as Subcompact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Z4 comparisons
Comparison id: bmw-z4-vs-mini-cooper