Kia Tasman vs Mini Cooper

What's the difference?

VS
Kia Tasman
Kia Tasman

2026 price

Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper

$41,990 - $63,990

2025 price

Summary

2026 Kia Tasman
2025 Mini Cooper
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
7.8L/100km (combined)

6.3L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

4
Dislikes
  • Mixed bag exterior styling
  • Servicing isn't as cheap as it should be
  • Less torque than key rivals

  • Expensive
  • Petrol-powered Minis aren't a great leap forward
  • No manual gearbox availability
2026 Kia Tasman Summary

The all-new Kia Tasman has landed, and it’s stepping into one of Australia’s most hotly coveted segments - the dual-cab ute market.

It’s a space where Aussies are famously protective, with strong opinions about how a ute should look, drive, and perform. Icons like the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux have long dominated the scene, carving their initials deep into our national motoring DNA.

So, the big question is, where does Kia’s first-ever ute fit in? 

With its slightly unconventional styling and fresh approach, can the Tasman win over ute loyalists and add its own mark to the love tree, or will it be seen as an outsider trying too hard to join the club?

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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

2026 Kia Tasman 2025 Mini Cooper

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