Mini 5D Hatch vs BMW I3
What's the difference?

Mini 5D Hatch

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2020 price

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BMW I3

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2020 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2020 Mini 5D Hatch

2020 BMW I3

By Andrew Chesterton

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Fuel Efficiency

6.0L/100km (combined)

Electric range

270 km

Energy consumption

14.6 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

42.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

Potent engine
Tons of grip
Funky cabin ambience

Design
Dynamics
Tech

Dislikes

Ride can be harsh
Jittery drive experience
Cabin tech overly user friendly

Pricey
Tight rear room
Short warranty

2020 Mini 5D Hatch Summary

That the 2020 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works is the most powerful Mini to have landed in Australia isn’t all that surprising. After all, parent company BMW has squeezed the thumping four-cylinder engine from the M135i under its bonnet, and that thing creates a snarling beast of any vehicle it finds a home in.

What is a surprise, though, is that having now driven this angry, crackling, snarling hot hatch, what with its burbling exhaust and properly rapid acceleration, is that it took Mini this long to get around to doing it.

So does the engine upgrade now put the Clubman JCW on the same pedestal as the best European hot hatches? There's only one way to find out.

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2020 BMW I3 Summary

It’s easy to forget BMW was paddling into the growing electric vehicle wave when it was only a gentle swell. It took off early with the i3 city car, which believe it or not has been in the Aussie new car market for six years.

While the German maker has long been developing the concept of electrified powertrains in existing models, the i3 was the result of a dramatically different approach, showcasing the use of exotic materials and innovative packaging.

Like its i8 supercar sibling, the i3 won’t be replaced with a new-generation version, but BMW says it will continue to develop this high-tech hatch before it departs, and we spent a week in the sporty i3s to see how it stands up in 2020.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 Mini 5D Hatch 2020 BMW I3

Verdict

The Mini Clubman JCW is quirky in a lot of the right ways, and now has a hard-charging engine to up the adrenalin factor. If you were already sold on the idea of joining the Clubman club, this one will steal your heart more than any other.

Verdict

Yes, it’s pricey for a small hatch, but this little BMW is a city car like no other. The i3s is tailor made for the urban environment, and six years on retains the quirkiness and charisma that stood it apart at launch, and it can still hold its head high among the current EV crop.

Mini 5D Hatch vs BMW I3 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mini 5D Hatch vs BMW I3
What's the difference?