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Hyundai INSTER vs MINI Electric
Selected trim01Change trim203 mi · 42 kWh · £23,755
Selected trimLevel 1 · 2019-24Change trim145 mi · 32.6 kWh · £27,900
At a glance
The MINI Electric was replaced by the MINI Cooper in 2024. Compare the Hyundai INSTER with the MINI Cooper
In this comparison, Hyundai INSTER leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the MINI Electric leads on running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai INSTER 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
Choose the MINI Electric if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Hyundai INSTER leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueHyundai
Hyundai
6
MINI
4.8
Motorway Range
Hyundai
3.8
MINI
3.6
Too close to call
FamilyHyundai
Hyundai
6
MINI
4.4
ChargingHyundai
Hyundai
3.6
MINI
2.5
Cost Per MileMINI
Hyundai
6.9
MINI
7.5
City Driving
Hyundai
8.8
MINI
8.7
Too close to call
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 | Hyundai INSTER01 | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £23,755 (better) | £27,900 |
| Official range | 203 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Boot space | 280 L (better) | 211 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min (better) | 31 min |
| 0-62 mph | 11.7 sec | 7.3 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Hyundai INSTER
MINI Electric
Length
Hyundai INSTER3,825mm-20mm
MINI Electric3,845mm
Width
Hyundai INSTER1,610mm-117mm
MINI Electric1,727mm
Height
Hyundai INSTER1,575mm
MINI Electric1,432mm-143mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai INSTER01 | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,825 mm | 3,845 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,610 mm (better) | 1,727 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,875 mm (better) | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,575 mm | 1,432 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 790 mm spare (better) | 673 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai INSTER01 | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 4 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 280 L (better) | 211 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1059 L (better) | 731 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai INSTER
- Uses 143 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Heat pump comes as standard; 15% of EVs we track within ±25% of this price include one.
- 1,610 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
MINI Electric
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Hyundai INSTER 01 |  MINI Electric Level 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.83m | 3.85m+20mm |
| Width | 1.61m | 1.73m+117mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.88m | 2.00m+124mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.43m-143mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.58m | 2.50m-85mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 127mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 280L (better) | 211L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1059L (better) | 731L |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m | 10.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,349kg (better) | 1,365kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42kWh (better) | 32.6kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 203 mi (better) | 145 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 73kW (better) | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £23,755 (better) | £27,900 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2019–2024 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai INSTER01 | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 203 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 145 miles (better) | 121 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min (better) | 31 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 73 kW (better) | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 10.5 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 143 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 42 kWh (better) | 28.9 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai INSTER01 | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.7 sec | 7.3 sec (better) |
| Power | 71 kW | 135 kW (better) |
| Torque | 147 Nm | 270 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Hyundai INSTER
01
MINI Electric
Level 1
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Hyundai INSTER
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 | Hyundai INSTER01 | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £18,900 | £12,287 |
| Average used price | £18,990 | £13,025 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 20 listings | 35 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 10.5% over ~6 months | Up 37.5% over ~6 months |
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 - Hyundai INSTER 01
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant70%
Child Occupant81%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist67%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - MINI Electric Level 1
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant79%
Child Occupant73%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist56%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Hyundai INSTER01 | MINI ElectricLevel 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Hyundai INSTER
01
Owners love
- Owners rate the rear space highly for a car under four metres long, especially the sliding rear bench on the 02.
- It is easy and relaxing to drive in town, and rides poor road surfaces better than its size suggests.
- Owners report efficient running, around 4.3 miles per kWh in everyday use.
Watch out for
- Acceleration is modest, and some owners find it slow at motorway speeds.
- The cabin is narrow: taller drivers report their knee touching the door.
- There is no wireless Apple CarPlay; owners use a plug-in adapter.
Owner tips
- Check whether a car has the Tech Pack if you want to power appliances from it.
- Look at the inner edge of the front tyres and ask when the alignment was last checked.
MINI Electric
Level 1
Owners love
- Owners consistently say it is huge fun to drive, with instant acceleration, sharp handling and the feel of a MINI.
- It is very efficient on local roads, with owners reporting 4 to 6 miles per kWh or more and tiny running costs on an off-peak tariff.
- Servicing is cheap and simple, mostly checks and software updates.
Watch out for
- Range is the big compromise: owners typically report 100 to 140 miles in summer and 60 to 100 in winter, and far less at 70 mph.
- The range estimate is widely described as pessimistic and unreliable.
- It is small inside, with three doors, a small boot and tight rear seats.
Owner tips
- Buy one only if your regular trips are well under 100 miles, with home charging.
- Use one charging scheduler (the car's or the charger's, not both) to avoid conflicts.
Buying options
Get a quote
Hyundai INSTER
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Hyundai INSTER
- £18,9902026Cars2View
- £18,9902026Cars2View
- £22,9902026Cars2View
MINI Electric
- £12,5712020Car360View
- £27,9732025Car360View
- £27,2222024Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the MINI Electric worth the extra £4,145 over the Hyundai INSTER?
The MINI Electric costs £4,145 more than the Hyundai INSTER. For that premium it adds 64 kW more power and a 4.4s quicker 0-62mph time. The Hyundai INSTER is not just cheaper - it also offers 58 miles more WLTP range and 69 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Hyundai INSTER comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Hyundai INSTER or the MINI Electric?
The Hyundai INSTER is £4,145 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Hyundai INSTER comes out roughly £4,105 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Hyundai INSTER and MINI Electric like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 145 miles for the Hyundai INSTER and 121 miles for the MINI Electric - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Hyundai INSTER goes roughly 24 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai INSTER or the MINI Electric?
The Hyundai INSTER is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 117 mm narrower than the MINI Electric. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 790 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai INSTER and about 673 mm of total clearance for the MINI Electric.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Hyundai INSTER or the MINI Electric?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Hyundai INSTER and 84% for the MINI Electric. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. 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 Hyundai INSTER comparisons
More MINI Electric 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 Hyundai INSTER and MINI Electric rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Hyundai INSTER and MINI Electric rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Hyundai INSTER and MINI Electric rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Hyundai INSTER and MINI Electric rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai INSTER and MINI Electric rank among the best city EVsWhere the Hyundai INSTER and MINI Electric 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 Hyundai INSTER (2025-on): 42 vs 49 kWh, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Hyundai INSTER buyer’s guide: the 01, 02 and Cross compared, real-world range, the coolant valve recall, the Tech Pack, warranty left, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideUsed MINI Electric buyer's guide (2020-2024)
Buying a used MINI Electric (Cooper SE): one battery, three trims, realistic range, what owners report, recalls and what to pay in 2026, and how it differs from the new Cooper E.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .