Compare the2024 MINI Cooper SEVS 2024 Fiat 500e

The MINI Cooper SE has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The 500e doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Cooper SE has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 500e doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Cooper SE and the 500e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

The Cooper SE’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the 500e’s (12 vs. 5 years).

MINI pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cooper SE for 3 years and 36,000 miles. MINI will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Fiat doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 500e.

The Cooper SE’s electric motor produces 63 more horsepower (181 vs. 118) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 162) than the 500e’s electric motor.

The MINI Cooper SE has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the 500e. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

For superior ride and handling, the MINI Cooper SE has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Fiat 500e has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Cooper SE offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The 500e’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cooper SE has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The 500e doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cooper SE’s wheelbase is 6.8 inches longer than on the 500e (98.2 inches vs. 91.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Cooper SE is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the 500e.

The Cooper SE is 9.9 inches shorter in height than the 500e, making the Cooper SE much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the MINI Cooper SE amounts to more than styling. The Cooper SE has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is lower than the 500e (.324). A more efficient exterior helps the Cooper SE go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the Cooper SE get better fuel mileage.

The Cooper SE has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 1.3 inches more rear legroom than the 500e.

The Cooper SE has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the 500e (8.7 vs. 7.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Cooper SE easier. The Cooper SE’s trunk lift-over height is 26 inches, while the 500e’s liftover is 27.4 inches.

The Cooper SE Iconic has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and infotainment readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 500e doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Cooper SE’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The 500e’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cooper SE to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 500e doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Cooper SE has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The 500e doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Cooper SE has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the 500e.

On extremely cold winter days, the Cooper SE’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The 500e doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Cooper SE Iconic’s Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The 500e doesn’t offer an automated parking system.