Compare the2025 BMW i4VS 2024 MINI Cooper SE

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The i4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The i4 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The i4 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The i4 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Cooper SE only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The i4’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the i4’s standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the i4 and the Cooper SE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The BMW i4 weighs 1410 to 1886 pounds more than the MINI Cooper SE. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

There are over 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are MINI dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the i4’s warranty.

Engine

The i4 eDrive35’s standard electric motor produces 101 more horsepower (282 vs. 181) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 199) than the Cooper SE’s electric motor. The i4 eDrive40’s standard electric motor produces 154 more horsepower (335 vs. 181) and 118 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 199) than the Cooper SE’s electric motor. The i4 xDrive40’s standard electric motors produces 215 more horsepower (396 vs. 181) and 244 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 199) than the Cooper SE’s electric motor. The i4 M50’s standard electric motors produces 355 more horsepower (536 vs. 181) and 387 lbs.-ft. more torque (586 vs. 199) than the Cooper SE’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW i4 is faster than the MINI Cooper SE:

	i4 xDrive40	i4 M50	Cooper SE
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	3.3 sec	6.1 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.5 sec	n/a	6.2 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	1.7 sec	n/a	2.3 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	2.4 sec	n/a	3.4 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	11.7 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	109 MPH	120 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	122 MPH	128 MPH	93 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the MINI Cooper SE (base engine):

	i4	Cooper SE
Zero to 60 MPH	3.3 sec	6.1 sec
Quarter Mile	11.7 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	120 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	128 MPH	128 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the i4 gets better mileage than the Cooper SE:

			MPGe
i4
	RWD	i4 eDrive35 18" Wheels Electric Motor	117 city/114 hwy
		eDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motor	113 city/111 hwy
Cooper SE
	FWD	Electric Motor	119 city/100 hwy

The i4 can travel longer on a full charge than the Cooper SE on a full charge:

			Miles
i4
	RWD	eDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motor	318 miles
		eDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motor	295 miles
		i4 eDrive35 18" Wheels Electric Motor	266 miles
		eDrive35 19" Wheels Electric Motor	244 miles
	AWD	xDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motors	287 miles
		xDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motors	268 miles
		M50 19" Wheels Electric Motors	267 miles
		M50 20" Wheels Electric Motors	227 miles
Cooper SE
	FWD	Electric Motor	114 miles

Transmission

The i4 M50’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the i4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Cooper SE:

	i4 eDrive40	i4 M50	Cooper SE
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	14.7 inches	11.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	11 inches

The i4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Cooper SE are solid, not vented.

The i4 stops much shorter than the Cooper SE:

	i4	Cooper SE
70 to 0 MPH	149 feet	169 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the i4 has larger standard tires than the Cooper SE (225/50R18 vs. 195/55R16). The i4 M50’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cooper SE (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. 205/45R17).

The i4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cooper SE’s standard 55 series tires. The i4 M50’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Cooper SE Signature Plus/Iconic’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the i4 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Cooper SE. The i4 M50’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Cooper SE Signature Plus/Iconic.

Suspension and Handling

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Cooper SE, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The i4 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i4’s wheelbase is 14.2 inches longer than on the Cooper SE (112.4 inches vs. 98.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the i4 is 4.1 inches wider in the front and 4.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Cooper SE.

The i4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (48.4% to 51.6%) than the Cooper SE’s (58.1% to 41.9%). This gives the i4 more stable handling and braking.

The i4 M50 handles at .96 G’s, while the Cooper SE Iconic pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The front grille of the i4 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the i4 a Compact car, while the Cooper SE is rated a Subcompact.

The i4 has standard seating for 5 passengers; the Cooper SE can only carry 4.

The i4 has 9.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cooper SE (90 vs. 80.3).

The i4 has .1 inches more front legroom, 4.6 inches more front shoulder room, 3.4 inches more rear legroom and 6.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cooper SE.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the i4’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the i4, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer a memory system.

The i4’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. MINI does not offer a locking feature on the Cooper SE’s standard power windows.

The i4 has two rear doors to provide better access for cargo and rear passengers. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer rear doors.

The Cooper SE’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The i4’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the i4 has standard extendable sun visors. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The BMW i4 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Cooper SE Signature/Iconic.

Both the i4 and the Cooper SE have standard heated front seats. The i4 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Cooper SE.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the i4 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The i4 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the i4 has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Cooper SE doesn’t offer rear vents.

The BMW i4 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. MINI charges extra for Homelink® on the Cooper SE.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW i4 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Cooper SE Iconic offers wireless charging.

The i4’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Cooper SE Iconic’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Cooper SE has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.