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Dacia Spring vs MINI Cooper
Selected trimExpression Electric 70Change trim139 mi · 24 kWh · £11,990
Selected trimCooper EChange trim190 mi · 40.7 kWh · £26,155
At a glance
In this comparison, Dacia Spring leads on running costs and city driving, while the MINI Cooper leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Dacia Spring if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the MINI Cooper if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Cooper leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueMINI
Dacia
4.9
MINI
5.7
Motorway RangeMINI
Dacia
3.3
MINI
4.4
FamilyMINI
Dacia
2.8
MINI
4.4
ChargingMINI
Dacia
3.5
MINI
5.2
Cost Per MileDacia
Dacia
9.5
MINI
8.5
City DrivingDacia
Dacia
9.7
MINI
9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Dacia Spring
Expression Electric 70
- £14,165 cheaper
- 98 litres more boot space
- 0.8 m tighter turning circle
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
- 51 miles more WLTP range
- 35 kW faster rapid charging
- 83 kW more power
- 4.5s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £11,990 (better) | £26,155 |
| Official range | 139 miles | 190 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 308 L (better) | 210 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min | 28 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 12.3 sec | 7.8 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Dacia Spring
MINI Cooper
Length
Dacia Spring3,701mm-157mm
MINI Cooper3,858mm
Width
Dacia Spring1,583mm-173mm
MINI Cooper1,756mm
Height
Dacia Spring1,489mm
MINI Cooper1,460mm-29mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,701 mm | 3,858 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,583 mm (better) | 1,756 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,767 mm (better) | 1,944 mm |
| Height | 1,489 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.6 m (better) | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 817 mm spare (better) | 644 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | Not available |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 778 mm |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L (better) | 210 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1004 L (better) | 800 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Dacia Spring
- Uses 124 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- At 3,701 mm, shorter than 80% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.6 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our database.
MINI Cooper
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70 |  MINI Cooper Cooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.70m | 3.86m+157mm |
| Width | 1.58m | 1.76m+173mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.77m | 1.94m+177mm |
| Height | 1.49m | 1.46m-29mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.42m | 2.53m+103mm |
| Ground Clearance | 146mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L (better) | 210L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1004L (better) | 800L |
| Seats | 4 | Not available |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 778mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.6m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 984kg (better) | 1,615kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 24kWh | 40.7kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 139 mi | 190 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 40kW | 75kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £11,990 (better) | £26,155 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2026+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 139 miles | 190 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 95 miles | 158 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min | 28 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 40 kW | 75 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 124 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 24 kWh | 36.6 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 12.3 sec | 7.8 sec (better) |
| Power | 52 kW | 135 kW (better) |
| Torque | 137 Nm | 290 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Dacia Spring
Expression Electric 70
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Dacia Spring
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £10,999 | £28,900 |
| Average used price | £11,149 | £28,900 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 10 listings (better) | 2 listings |
| Saving vs RRP | £841 below new | At or above new price |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 1.3% over ~6 months | Broadly flat |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant49%
Child Occupant56%
Vulnerable Road Users39%
Safety Assist32%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - MINI Cooper Cooper E
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist77%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Dacia Spring
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Cooper
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Dacia Spring
- £10,9992026Cars2View
- £11,2992026Cars2View
MINI Cooper
- £28,9002025EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the MINI Cooper worth the extra £14,165 over the Dacia Spring?
The MINI Cooper costs £14,165 more than the Dacia Spring. For that premium it adds 51 miles more WLTP range, 35 kW faster peak rapid charging and 83 kW more power. The Dacia Spring is not just cheaper - it also offers 98 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MINI Cooper comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Dacia Spring or the MINI Cooper?
The Dacia Spring is £14,165 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Dacia Spring comes out roughly £14,205 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Dacia Spring and MINI Cooper like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 95 miles for the Dacia Spring and 158 miles for the MINI Cooper - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MINI Cooper goes roughly 63 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-29 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Dacia Spring or the MINI Cooper?
The Dacia Spring is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 173 mm narrower than the MINI Cooper. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 817 mm of total clearance for the Dacia Spring and about 644 mm of total clearance for the MINI Cooper. The Dacia Spring also turns in a 0.8 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Dacia Spring or the MINI Cooper?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Dacia Spring and 84% for the MINI Cooper. That gives the Dacia Spring a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Dacia Spring's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the MINI Cooper's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More MINI Cooper comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Dacia Spring and MINI Cooper rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Dacia Spring and MINI Cooper rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Dacia Spring and MINI Cooper rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Dacia Spring and MINI Cooper rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Dacia Spring and MINI Cooper rank among the best city EVsWhere the Dacia Spring and MINI Cooper rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Dacia Spring (2024 on): Which Motor, the Steering Recall & What to Pay
A used Dacia Spring buyer’s guide: the 45, 65, 70 and 100 versions, the steering-rack recall, the one-star safety rating, battery warranty left, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used MINI Cooper E / SE (2024 on): Which Battery, Recalls & What to Pay
A used 2024-on MINI Cooper E and Cooper SE buyer’s guide: 40.7 vs 54.2 kWh, how to tell it from the older MINI Electric, the battery and brake recalls, warranty, real-world range, what to pay against new stock and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .