MINI hatchback - MPG, running costs & CO2
A range of great small engines means the MINI Hatch is seriously cheap to run. There are great servicing deals, too
MINI hatchback MPG & CO2
Petrol engines don’t tend to be as economical as diesels but they’ve come a long way, and the turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol in the MINI Cooper is claimed to achieve up to 51mpg with either an automatic gearbox - although some options such as bigger wheels and a sunroof slightly increase running costs. CO2 emissions are 125-131g/km. The Cooper makes a lot of sense if you make a lot of stop-start urban journeys. The best option for business users is the MINI Electric, which has the lowest possible BiK rating - we’ve reviewed it separately.
There's no real fuel-economy penalty for choosing the 134bhp Cooper – it uses a more powerful version of the same 1.5-litre petrol engine as the now-discontinued One and returns a similar consumption figure. It does emit more CO2, however.
The 189bhp, 2.0-litre Cooper S isn't quite so frugal, with a quoted 46.3mpg best-case figure combined with CO2 emissions of up to 133g/km. That means a much higher BiK rating, but its more expensive running costs are a consequence of the extra performance on offer.
Road tax for all petrol MINI hatchbacks is the standard yearly rate and the first year’s payment is usually included in the on-the-road price. The MINI Electric has free road tax and will save company-car drivers a lot of money in tax compared to a petrol one.
Insurance groups
The MINI is a relatively small car, but it actually sits in fairly high insurance groups. The lowest rating (13) is held by the discontinued MINI One, and the Cooper sits in group 19 while the Cooper S falls into group 25 or 26, depending on trim level. John Cooper Works models fall into group 28.
MINI does offer a scheme called MINI FlexiMile Insurance, which involves your car's mileage being monitored throughout ownership. Drivers who cover less than 6,000 miles per year will qualify for a discount on their insurance if they use MINI Financial Services as the provider.
Warranty
The warranty on all new MINIs is a generous three-year, unlimited-mileage offer. But if you want something that lasts longer, you can look at Hyundai's five-year cover or Kia's seven-year deal.
Servicing
MINI's Pay Monthly Service Plan means you can spread the cost of two services into monthly instalments. An MOT, seasonal health checks and sat-nav map updates are also included in the deal. You’ll need to speak to your MINI dealer for pricing info.
