2017 Mini Cooper vs 2017 Fiat 500: Which is Best?

2017 Fiat 500 vs 2017 Mini Cooper exterior profile

On the surface, the 2017 Mini Cooper and the 2017 Fiat 500 might seem quite similar. They’re both small, front-wheel-drive hatchbacks with unique and deliberate retro styling. However, they each have their own distinctive personalities. And even though the term “personality” sounds a bit vague and unscientific, the differences become more apparent as we go through the various categories. We’re choosing the basic tin-top/2-door models here, although there is a kind-of-convertible version of the Fiat 500, plus more powerful variants of both cars.

Mini Cooper vs Fiat 500: Pricing and Trim Levels

The 2017 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2-Door starts at $20,950 plus $850 for destination charges. Standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, chilled glove box, 6.5-inch screen, smartphone app integration, and a 6-speed manual transmission.The 2017 FIAT 500 comes in at $14,995 plus $995 for destination charges. That's for the basic Pop trim with a 5-speed manual transmission and an amount of standard kit similar to the Cooper. The slightly lusher Lounge trim (glass roof panel, leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, from a cold, hard outlay point of view, the Fiat takes the first win. But don’t forget the old “get what you pay for” adage.

The 2017 FIAT 500 comes in at $14,995 plus $995 for destination charges. That's for the basic Pop trim with a 5-speed manual transmission and an amount of standard kit similar to the Cooper. On the slightly lusher Lounge trim (glass roof panel, leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel) from a cold, hard outlay point of view, the Fiat takes the first win. But don’t forget the old “get what you pay for” adage.

Mini Cooper vs Fiat 500: Options

A 6-speed automatic transmission for the Cooper is $1,250. The options list is long and comprehensive. A Fully Loaded bundle — costing $5,500 — includes a premium Harman Kardon audio system, panoramic moonroof, keyless entry/ignition, dynamic dampers, larger wheels, LED lighting, rearview camera, navigation, an 8.8-inch screen, and several other features.

The FIAT 500 isn’t eligible for many options. There are some smarter mats for the Pop trim level and a series of Easy Collection bundles (automatic air conditioning, satellite radio, self-dimming rearview mirror, voice control, Beats audio system). The 6-speed automatic transmission option is $995.

Despite a more expensive 2-pedal setup, the Mini wins this section easily because it has so much to offer.

Mini Cooper vs Fiat 500: Powertrains and Efficiency

A 1.5-liter/3-cylinder engine propels the Cooper with 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. With the manual transmission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) puts fuel consumption at 28 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined. Pretty impressive. Throw the automatic transmission into the mix and those numbers become 27/36/30 mpg.

The 500 gains another cylinder, but to no avail. This 1.4-liter unit can only muster up 101 hp and 97 lb-ft of torque. The EPA estimates 31/38/34 mpg with the stick shift or 27/33/29 mpg with the auto.

Although the Mini is slightly thirstier as a manual, the extra power is apparent from the driver’s seat, so it gets the nod.

Mini Cooper vs Fiat 500: Stand-out Features and Technology

The Mini also offers a self-parking feature (just apply the accelerator or brakes) as well as the many and varied opportunities for personalization like the contrasting white roof and side mirror housings. Don't forget the quick and nimble chassis, LED headlights that move with steering, and a head-up display. Plus, Mini has advanced safety aids like forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection and road sign recognition.

All this serves to highlight the more upscale neighborhood where the Mini resides. The 500 offers an appearance package, but nothing quite so sophisticated as its more powerful and well-tuned British rival.

Mini Cooper vs Fiat 500: Exterior Design

As mentioned earlier, both cars have retro styling, evoking their original inspirations. Put a first-generation (from late 2000) Mini next to a current third-generation model, and the differences should be easier to detect. But there’s continuity, a philosophy of evolution instead of revolution. As such, tributes to the 1961 classic sink ever deeper, but the short hood, the way the rear drops sharply downward and how the wheels are pushed into the corners are all Mini traits. Like the Mini, the current 500 is bigger than its 60-year-old, rear-engined predecessor. However, an uncluttered approach combined with slightly bulbous lines brings undeniable Italian charm to the modern day. No need to choose a winner. It’s all subjective.

Mini Cooper vs. Fiat 500: Interior Design

The Mini gets even busier inside, but there are some cool touches. Paying homage to the original is a huge round center display. Underneath it is a row of switches that look as if they were lifted from a Second World War-era airplane. The old Mini never had anything like those, but neither does any other car — so that’s a big plus point. The 500’s simpler exterior is echoed in its cabin, with pleasant and simple rounded-off shapes, plus a splash of color stretching across the dashboard in the same hue as the outside.The overall effect does a quick job of disguising the car’s modest dimensions. Again, there’s no real victory here. But neither interior would be a deal-breaker.

Mini Cooper vs Fiat 500: Comfort

The EPA calculates the 500’s interior volume as 84.9 cubic feet, which beats the Cooper’s 80 cubic feet. Breaking it down further, the 500’s front legroom is 40.7 inches; rear legroom is 31.7 Shoulder room is 49.4 and 46.4 inches, front, and back. Compare all that with the Mini’s front legroom of 40.3 inches, 30.8 inches of rear legroom, and 50.6 and 47.8 inches of shoulder room. The weird thing is that the Mini feels subjectively larger. We’ll put that down to the superior shoulder room. But advantage Fiat overall.

Mini Cooper vs Fiat 500: Cargo Capacity

Behind the Cooper’s rear seats is 8.7 cubic feet of “trunk” space. Those seats split and fold in 60/40 fashion for some flexibility of transporting people or stuff. When both are folded down, maximum cargo space is 34 cubic feet. The Fiat’s rear seats fold 50/50. When they’re up, there are 9.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. When they’re down, there are 30.2 cubic feet. So neither is much help if a family wants to move house, but throwing a sports bag into the back of either presents no problems. As long as the tailgate is open. But we’ll hand this small win to the Fiat, because the numbers don’t lie.

Mini Cooper vs Fiat 500: Safety Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Mini 2-Door an overall score of four out of five stars, and four stars apiece for protection in front and side impacts. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the car its top score of Good in every major category. The FIAT 500 has almost identical scores from both agencies, with the exception of the IIHS small-overlap front-impact test, where it took the worst rating of Poor. This is a relatively new test, and many cars find it tricky. Naturally, both cars have the mandatory safety features like anti-lock brakes, traction/stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and airbags.

Mini Cooper vs Fiat 500: Performance

The Mini can spring from standstill to 60 mph in a healthy 7.4 seconds. Fiat does not quote any figures, but the 500 is about five seconds slower, which feels like an eternity. The real difference is one that informs the whole driving experience. The Mini is made by BMW, a company that really knows how to produce a thrilling chassis. The more demanding enthusiast will want more power because the rest of the car is so capable. But the regular Cooper can still inspire an occasional chuckle. Despite the 500’s dearth of muscle, it’s still quite light. So the engine doesn't have to work overly hard. And the front wheels are happy to change direction. That said, the Mini aces this round.