Both the Cooper SE and the i4 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, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.
Compare the2024 MINI Cooper SEVS 2025 BMW i4


Safety
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that MINI vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.
From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that MINI vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks MINI third in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 9th.
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the Cooper SE gets better mileage than the i4:
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MPGe |
Cooper SE |
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FWD |
Electric Motor |
119 city/100 hwy |
i4 |
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RWD |
eDrive35 19" Wheels Electric Motor |
108 city/104 hwy |
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eDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motor |
106 city/103 hwy |
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AWD |
xDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motors |
99 city/103 hwy |
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M50 19" Wheels Electric Motors |
93 city/96 hwy |
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xDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motors |
93 city/95 hwy |
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M50 20" Wheels Electric Motors |
80 city/80 hwy |
Suspension and Handling
For better maneuverability, the Cooper SE’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the i4’s (35.1 feet vs. 41 feet).
Chassis
The MINI Cooper SE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1400 to 1900 pounds less than the BMW i4.
The Cooper SE is 3 feet shorter than the i4, making the Cooper SE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
Passenger Space
The Cooper SE has 2.1 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the i4.
Cargo Capacity
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 i4’s liftover is 28.3 inches.
Servicing Ease
J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that MINI service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks MINI fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 22% lower rating, BMW is ranked 13th.
Ergonomics
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 i4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.
To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cooper SE has a standard rear wiper. The i4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.
To better shield the driver’s vision, the Cooper SE has a standard dual-element sun visor that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The i4 doesn’t offer a secondary sun visor.
The Cooper SE has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the i4.