Mazda MX-5 vs MINI Cooper
The MINI Cooper is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 110 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the Mazda MX-5, a 80 mpg advantage and costs about $1,850 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 | Mazda MX-5 | MINI Cooper |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 30 mpg | 110 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 27 mpg | 119 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 36 mpg | 100 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,550 | $700 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 298 g/mi | 272 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, 2.0 | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, 1.6 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd, Manual 5-spd | 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.
MX-5 vs Cooper: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Mazda MX-5 or the MINI Cooper?
The MINI Cooper is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 110 mpg combined versus 30 mpg for the Mazda MX-5, a 80 mpg advantage and costs about $1,850 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 $2,550 for the Mazda MX-5 — a difference of roughly $1,850 per year.
What engines do the MX-5 and Cooper offer?
Mazda MX-5: SIDI, 2.0. MINI Cooper: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, 1.6.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Mazda MX-5 as Two Seaters and the MINI Cooper as Subcompact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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Comparison id: mazda-mx-5-vs-mini-cooper