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MINI Electric vs Renault 4
Selected trimLevel 1 · 2019-24Change trim145 mi · 32.6 kWh · £27,900
Selected trimElectricChange trim249 mi · 52 kWh · £27,195
At a glance
The MINI Electric was replaced by the MINI Cooper in 2024. Compare the MINI Cooper with the Renault 4
In this comparison, MINI Electric leads on city driving, while the Renault 4 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MINI Electric if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Renault 4 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
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault 4 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueRenault
MINI
4.8
Renault
6.7
Motorway RangeRenault
MINI
3.6
Renault
5.4
FamilyRenault
MINI
4.4
Renault
6.5
ChargingRenault
MINI
2.5
Renault
5.3
Cost Per MileRenault
MINI
7.5
Renault
8.9
City DrivingMINI
MINI
8.7
Renault
7.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Renault 4
Electric
- 104 miles more WLTP range
- 209 litres more boot space
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | Renault 4Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £27,900 | £27,195 (better) |
| Official range | 145 miles | 249 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 211 L | 420 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min | 30 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 8.2 sec |
Size Comparison
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MINI Electric
Renault 4
Length
MINI Electric3,845mm-299mm
Renault 44,144mm
Width
MINI Electric1,727mm-69mm
Renault 41,796mm
Height
MINI Electric1,432mm-140mm
Renault 41,572mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | Renault 4Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,845 mm | 4,144 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,727 mm (better) | 1,796 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm (better) | 2,020 mm |
| Height | 1,432 mm | 1,572 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m (better) | 10.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 673 mm spare (better) | 604 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | Renault 4Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 164 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 211 L | 420 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 731 L | 1405 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
MINI Electric
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Renault 4
- 249 mile WLTP range, longer than 80% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- Boot space of 420 L is bigger than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  MINI Electric Level 1 |  Renault 4 Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.85m | 4.14m+299mm |
| Width | 1.73m | 1.80m+69mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.02m+21mm |
| Height | 1.43m | 1.57m+140mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.50m | 2.62m+129mm |
| Ground Clearance | 127mm | 181mm+54mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 211L | 420L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 731L | 1405L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 164mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m (better) | 10.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,365kg (better) | 1,492kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 32.6kWh | 52kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 145 mi | 249 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 100kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £27,900 | £27,195 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £27,900 (not eligible) | £23,445 (-£3,750) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2019–2024 | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | Renault 4Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 145 miles | 249 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 121 miles | 208 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 28.9 kWh | 52 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | Renault 4Electric |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 8.2 sec |
| Power | 135 kW (better) | 110 kW |
| Torque | 270 Nm (better) | 245 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | Not available |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
MINI Electric
Level 1
Renault 4
Electric
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
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | Renault 4Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £12,287 | £20,499 |
| Average used price | £13,025 | £21,478 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 35 listings (better) | 12 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 3.3% over ~6 months | Up 9.6% 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 - MINI Electric Level 1
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant79%
Child Occupant73%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist56%
Euro NCAP - Renault 4 Electric
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant79%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users73%
Safety Assist68%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | MINI ElectricLevel 1 | Renault 4Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
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.
Renault 4
Electric
Owners love
- Owners and test drivers like the design, which stands out from other small electric SUVs.
- The boot has a low, flat sill that makes loading easy, and it is bigger than the Renault 5's.
- Rear legroom is better than in the Renault 5.
Watch out for
- Heated seats, a heated steering wheel and the powered tailgate come only on the top trims.
- Owners report a winter range drop of around 20%, with some seeing about 130 miles.
- Some owners report the car's own charge scheduling and the app failing to start a timed charge after it has gone to sleep.
Owner tips
- If you charge on a smart tariff, let the tariff or charger app control the schedule and check a charge has actually started.
- Use the Perso button by the steering wheel to set your preferred driver-assist settings in one press.
Buying options
Get a quote
MINI Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault 4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MINI Electric
- £17,8682023Car360View
- £12,5712020Car360View
- £27,9732025Car360View
Renault 4
- £22,4572026Cars2View
- £20,4992025Cars2View
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the MINI Electric or the Renault 4?
The Renault 4 is £705 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 Renault 4 comes out roughly £745 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the MINI Electric and Renault 4 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 121 miles for the MINI Electric and 208 miles for the Renault 4 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault 4 goes roughly 86 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 MINI Electric or the Renault 4?
The MINI Electric is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 69 mm narrower than the Renault 4. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 673 mm of total clearance for the MINI Electric and about 604 mm of total clearance for the Renault 4.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MINI Electric or the Renault 4?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MINI Electric and 84% for the Renault 4. 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 MINI Electric comparisons
More Renault 4 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 MINI Electric and Renault 4 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the MINI Electric and Renault 4 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MINI Electric and Renault 4 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the MINI Electric and Renault 4 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MINI Electric and Renault 4 rank among the best city EVsWhere the MINI Electric and Renault 4 rank among the cheapest EVs to run
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
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.
GuideBuying a Used Renault 4 E-Tech (2025-on): Trims, Range & What to Pay
A used Renault 4 E-Tech buyer’s guide: Evolution, Techno and Iconic compared, the Plein Sud roof, real-world range, warranty left, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .