Holden Astra vs Mini Cooper

What's the difference?

VS
Holden Astra
Holden Astra

$5,990 - $20,490

2018 price

Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper

$41,990 - $63,990

2025 price

Summary

2018 Holden Astra
2025 Mini Cooper
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 1.4L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
5.8L/100km (combined)

6.3L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

4
Dislikes
  • Missing rear seat amenities
  • Smallish fuel tank
  • Awkward pedal position

  • Expensive
  • Petrol-powered Minis aren't a great leap forward
  • No manual gearbox availability
2018 Holden Astra Summary

Holden's current Astra is the second go the car has had in this country, after first being badged an Opel to the sounds of crickets from the buying public. That hubristic exercise was followed by a brief withdrawal from the Australian market before returning, rather more sensibly badged (and sensibly-priced) as a Holden.

It chugged along quite nicely in 2017. It didn't break any records, no, but regularly broke the 1000 units per month mark to end up with about five percent of the small car market, which it shares with some serious competition from Europe and Japan.

The + in R+ means more safety, but also more money. Safety is good, but do you get anything else for your money?

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2025 Mini Cooper Summary

Can it be possible that, between 1959 and 2023, there have only been four distinct generations of Mini? 

Besides the 1959 British Motor Corporation (BMC) original, it’s just been a trio of hatchback versions under BMW stewardship – the R50 of 2001, 2006’s R56 and the 2014 F56.

Now, in 2024, that number has suddenly jumped to six. 

The F56 has morphed into the lightly restyled and solely petrol-powered F66 Cooper range in F66 three-door (3DR) and coming F65 five-door (5DR) hatchback guises like before.

Meanwhile, the completely new and electric-only J01 Cooper 3DR joins the fold, along with its J05 Aceman 5DR crossover spin-off.

Despite their shared name and similar styling inside and out, the British-built Cooper and electric Cooper from China are two different cars. You can read all about the latter in another review, as this is about the petrol-powered Cooper range.

More of a thorough makeover and less of a total redesign, has it changed enough? Let’s find out. 

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Holden Astra 2025 Mini Cooper

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