Vehicle comparison
Fiat 500e vs MINI Cooper SE
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Fiat 500e wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Fiat 500e costs about $549 per year, roughly $33 less than the MINI Cooper SE. Over 5 years, that's about $166 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Fiat 500e | MINI Cooper SE |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EV | EV |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| City MPG/MPGe | 121 | 115 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 108 | 100 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 116 | 108 |
| Battery (kWh) | 42 kWh | 32.6 kWh |
| Energy cost | $0.16/kWh | $0.16/kWh |
| Cost per mile | $0.046 | $0.048 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly charging spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Fiat 500e | MINI Cooper SE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $366/yr · $30/mo | $388/yr · $32/mo | $22 (Fiat 500e) |
| 12,000 | $549/yr · $46/mo | $582/yr · $48/mo | $33 (Fiat 500e) |
| 15,000 | $686/yr · $57/mo | $727/yr · $61/mo | $42 (Fiat 500e) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Fiat 500e
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Fiat 500eBest for road trips
Fiat 500e
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Fiat 500eBest for families
Fiat 500e
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Fiat 500eBest for lowest running cost
Fiat 500e
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Fiat 500eHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Fiat 500e or MINI Cooper SE?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Fiat 500e costs about $549 per year vs $582 for the MINI Cooper SE — roughly $33 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Fiat 500e and MINI Cooper SE?
The Fiat 500e is rated around 116 combined MPGe versus 108 MPGe for the MINI Cooper SE. Highway figures are 108 vs 100.
How much will I spend on charging over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $2743 for the Fiat 500e and $2909 for the MINI Cooper SE, a difference of roughly $166.
Is the Fiat 500e or MINI Cooper SE better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Fiat 500e wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Fiat 500e is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.