The Mini Cooper and Fiat 500e are two modern interpretations of classic European cars. They’re very design-centric cars, but they both offer a lot by way of practicality, and they’re more affordable than you might’ve thought. If you need a normal car for daily driving but want to stand out with some fashionable flair, one of these might be for you.
Let’s look closer at the redesigned Mini Cooper and the electric Fiat 500e and see which is better.
2025 Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper is one of those cars that you know when you see one, even if you’re not a car person. It’s fully redesigned for the 2025 model year, resurrecting the “Cooper” model name and sticking to the basics as a small, boxy hatchback (or convertible) with unmistakable aesthetics and a fun driving character, but with the latest technology.
Mini Cooper Highlights
Two doors or four?: We love to see variety in body styles. The Mini Cooper is one of the few cars on the market still offering a choice of two or four doors, and there’s even a convertible option. Meanwhile, the Fiat 500e comes exclusively as a 2-door hatchback.
Powertrain options: The Mini Cooper’s driving excitement ranges from mild to wild. The base engine is frugal, if a bit pokey, the Cooper S is more lively while still being efficient, and the JCW models deliver rip-roaring excitement while retaining the practicality of a small hatchback.
Big, round screen: The Mini Cooper is not a normal car, and that’s what people love about it. One of its many quirks is a large, round center screen handling infotainment duties. Various themes are available to change the car’s inner personality at the click of a toggle.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Mini Cooper models for sale near you.
2025 Fiat 500e
This isn’t the first all-electric Fiat 500, but it’s now electric-only in the form of the Fiat 500e. Much like the Mini Cooper, the Fiat 500e retains the unique styling that makes it famous but packs it with the latest tech and engineering. In this case, electrical engineering, with DC fast charging and a max range of up to 149 miles.
Fiat 500e Highlights
All-electric: The biggest difference between the Mini and the Fiat is that the Fiat is an EV. The Fiat runs on electrons, while all of the little engines available in the Mini require premium gas. According to EPA estimates, the average monthly fuel costs of the Fiat are about $100 cheaper than those of the Mini. The all-electric Mini Cooper SE is currently discontinued.
Italian fashion: Cuteness is a strong suit of both of these cars. The Mini looks very British, while the Fiat has distinctly Italian flair in its exterior design and subtle interior touches. This is especially true of the new-for-2025 Giorgio Armani Edition, which is as handsome as a tailored suit.
Uconnect infotainment: The dinner-plate-shaped screen in the Mini is fun, but the infotainment system in the Fiat has a more conventional 10.25-inch screen that’s feature-rich, user-friendly, and a little less distracting.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the 500e models for sale near you.
Similarities
These cars are both in the subcompact class and have distinctly European styling that’s recognizable from a mile away. They’re also both two-door hatchbacks, although the Mini has additional body styles available.
Pricing
New 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$26,125 |
TBD |
|||
$30,125 |
$28,260 |
|||
$32,525 |
$30,667 |
|||
$33,375 |
$31,309 |
|||
$35,775 |
$33,757 |
|||
$39,375 |
$36,937 |
|||
$41,775 |
$40,392 |
New 2025 FIAT 500e Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$32,495 |
TBD |
|||
$34,495 |
TBD |
|||
$37,495 |
TBD |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door vehicles and New 2025 FIAT 500e vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door | 2025 FIAT 500e | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder | Electric Motor |
| Horsepower | 201 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 117 hp |
| Torque | 221 lb-ft @ 1,450 rpm | 162 lb-ft |
| Transmission | automatic, 7-speed dual-clutch | Single-Speed Fixed Gear |
| Fuel Economy | 28 city/39 highway/32 combined mpg | N/A |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 |
| Wheelbase | 98.2 inches | 91.4 inches |
| Overall Length | 152.6 inches | 143.1 inches |
| Width | 75.9 inches | 74.1 inches |
| Height | 56.4 inches | 66.3 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.4 feet | 31.5 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.3 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 36.9 inches | 35.4 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 42.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 30.8 inches | 29.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 50.6 inches | 51.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 47.8 inches | 48.1 inches |
| Cargo capacity | 8.9 cubic feet | 7.5 cubic feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
The Fiat 500e is a good EV for city driving, as long as you can live with the modest max range of only 149 miles. For those of us who need more driving range, the new, gas-powered Mini Cooper is better than ever, and we love that it’s available with a choice of two doors or four. The Mini is simply more practical, more affordable, and equally cute.
