MINI Cooper vs BMW 4 Series
The MINI Cooper is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 110 mpg combined versus 31 mpg for the BMW 4 Series, a 79 mpg advantage and costs about $1,750 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 | MINI Cooper | BMW 4 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 110 mpg ✓ | 31 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 119 mpg ✓ | 28 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 100 mpg ✓ | 36 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $700 ✓ | $2,450 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 272 g/mi ✓ | 285 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, 1.6 | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S7), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (A1) | Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Electricity | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 135 | 160 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Cooper vs 4 Series: common questions
Which is better on gas, the MINI Cooper or the BMW 4 Series?
The MINI Cooper is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 110 mpg combined versus 31 mpg for the BMW 4 Series, a 79 mpg advantage and costs about $1,750 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 $2,450 for the BMW 4 Series — a difference of roughly $1,750 per year.
What engines do the Cooper and 4 Series offer?
MINI Cooper: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, 1.6. BMW 4 Series: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the MINI Cooper as Subcompact Cars and the BMW 4 Series as Compact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Cooper comparisons
Comparison id: mini-cooper-vs-bmw-4-series