MINI Cooper vs Mazda MX-5
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 | MINI Cooper | Mazda MX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 110 mpg ✓ | 30 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 119 mpg ✓ | 27 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 100 mpg ✓ | 36 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $700 ✓ | $2,550 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 272 g/mi ✓ | 298 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, 1.6 | SIDI, 2.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S7), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (A1) | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Electricity | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Two Seaters |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 135 | 25 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Cooper vs MX-5: common questions
Which is better on gas, the MINI Cooper or the Mazda MX-5?
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 Cooper and MX-5 offer?
MINI Cooper: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, 1.6. Mazda MX-5: SIDI, 2.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the MINI Cooper as Subcompact Cars and the Mazda MX-5 as Two Seaters, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Cooper comparisons
Comparison id: mini-cooper-vs-mazda-mx-5