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DS 3 E-Tense vs MINI Cooper
Selected trimPallasChange trim248 mi · 54 kWh · £36,995
Selected trimCooper EChange trim190 mi · 40.7 kWh · £26,155
At a glance
In this comparison, DS 3 E-Tense stays competitive across the board, while the MINI Cooper leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MINI Cooper if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Cooper leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueMINI
DS
4.5
MINI
5.7
Motorway Range
DS
4.5
MINI
4.4
Too close to call
FamilyMINI
DS
1.9
MINI
4.4
ChargingMINI
DS
3
MINI
5.2
Cost Per Mile
DS
8.2
MINI
8.5
Too close to call
City DrivingMINI
DS
7.4
MINI
9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £36,995 | £26,155 (better) |
| Official range | 248 miles (better) | 190 miles |
| Boot space | 350 L (better) | 210 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 28 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 7.8 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
DS 3 E-Tense
MINI Cooper
Length
DS 3 E-Tense4,118mm
MINI Cooper3,858mm-260mm
Width
DS 3 E-Tense1,802mm
MINI Cooper1,756mm-46mm
Height
DS 3 E-Tense1,534mm
MINI Cooper1,460mm-74mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,118 mm | 3,858 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,802 mm | 1,756 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,988 mm | 1,944 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,534 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.7 m | 10.4 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 598 mm spare | 644 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 778 mm |
| Boot space (seats up) | 350 L (better) | 210 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1050 L (better) | 800 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  DS 3 E-Tense Pallas |  MINI Cooper Cooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.12m | 3.86m-260mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.76m-46mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | 1.94m-44mm |
| Height | 1.53m | 1.46m-74mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.56m | 2.53m-32mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 350L (better) | 210L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1050L (better) | 800L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 778mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.7m | 10.4m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,550kg (better) | 1,615kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 54kWh (better) | 40.7kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 248 mi (better) | 190 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW (better) | 75kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £36,995 | £26,155 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £35,495 (-£1,500) | £26,155 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 248 miles (better) | 190 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 207 miles (better) | 158 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 28 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW (better) | 75 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 50.8 kWh (better) | 36.6 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 7.8 sec (better) |
| Power | 115 kW | 135 kW (better) |
| Torque | 260 Nm | 290 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
DS 3 E-Tense
Pallas
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
MINI Cooper
Cooper E
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
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 - 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 | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI CooperCooper E |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
DS 3 E-Tense
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Cooper
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
DS 3 E-Tense
No active listings.
MINI Cooper
- £28,9002025EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the DS 3 E-Tense worth the extra £10,840 over the MINI Cooper?
The DS 3 E-Tense costs £10,840 more than the MINI Cooper. For that premium it adds 58 miles more WLTP range, 25 kW faster peak rapid charging and 140 litres more boot space. The MINI Cooper is not just cheaper - it also offers a 1.2s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MINI Cooper comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the DS 3 E-Tense or the MINI Cooper?
The MINI Cooper is £10,840 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the MINI Cooper comes out roughly £10,880 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Cooper like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 207 miles for the DS 3 E-Tense and 158 miles for the MINI Cooper - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The DS 3 E-Tense goes roughly 48 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the DS 3 E-Tense or the MINI Cooper?
The MINI Cooper is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 46 mm narrower than the DS 3 E-Tense. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 644 mm of total clearance for the MINI Cooper and about 598 mm of total clearance for the DS 3 E-Tense.
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 DS 3 E-Tense comparisons
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 DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Cooper rank among EVs under £40,000Where the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Cooper rank among the best small electric carsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Cooper rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Cooper rank among the best city EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Cooper rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Cooper rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .