Writing at length about both cars, Car and Driver have pitted the MINI Cooper against the Fiat 500. What we find refreshing is that C&D hasn’t just assumed that these two cars are true competitors. They point out what we’ve thought all along, that these are two cars created for two very different purposes. So it’s no surprise that they give the edge to the MINI.
The MINI Cooper’s more flexible powertrain, more capable chassis, and greater comfort combine to make a car that is as fun as it looks. No doubt, the 500 has style. But the Mini has style and agility.
It’s refreshing to see someone in the automotive press acknowledge that just because these two cars are small, it doesn’t mean they’re evenly matched. We like the Fiat 500 here at MF, but in our opinion, it’s not really in the same league as the MINI. That’s not going to stop some people from cross-shopping them though. C&D agrees.
The current, second-generation MINI Cooper is sort of the automotive equivalent of  boxer/politician Manny Pacquiao. It can fight a class size up or down. It can thrill as a sport hatch, with numerous go-and-look-faster add ons, or it can serve as a simple transportation vessel. Here we have it punching under its weight as it enters the ring with its Italian opponent.
They go on to point out something that doesn’t actually help the 500 in this market: its size. The MINI is small enough to be off-putting to a lot of US buyers, but the Fiat is even smaller. That makes its interior downright cramped for drivers of any taller stature.
Calling the Fiat cute might be cliché, but the 500 is just so darn little (7.0 inches shorter and 2.2 inches narrower than the MINI). This Sport model’s larger grille opening and y-spoke wheels don’t man things up enough to elicit descriptors like “aggressive†or “poised for attack.†Cute still applies.
From behind the wheel, the Fiat feels taller than the MINI, more so than its 4.4-inch-higher roofline suggests. The over-six-foot set will want to forgo the sunroof, as it reduces headroom by 1.3 inches. Mid-five-footers can feel their hair connecting with the burlap-crossbred-with-mouse-fur headliner. The only touch of interior panache is a body-color plastic dash panel. Without that, the cabin would be a black sea with the occasional piece of chrome debris adrift in it.
Dimensions and head room are one thing, but it’s out on the open road that the two cars really start to show their differences. How do the cars compare in actual feel and performance?
Ohio’s roads revealed how different the MINI and the Fiat are. The Cooper feels substantial and stiff where the Fiat shows some dynamic gaps. The 500’s body roll at turn-in gives the impression it is nearing, or at, its cornering limit. But there is more to be had. We were surprised to find its skidpad grip at 0.85 g. The high-mounted seats are partly to blame, as they exaggerate the sense of roll.
…when you flip to the specs and results charts on these pages, be sure to take in all the bold print populating the Mini’s columns. The Mini lost to the Fiat in only three objective rankings (rear-seat space, cargo space, and as-tested price) and absolutely clobbered it in the performance metrics.
As in any comparison, it ultimately comes down to what’s important. If you’re looking for a stylish little runabout, either car will probably do. But as is usually the case in these comparisons, if you’re looking for a driver’s car, spend the money and drive the MINI. Check out the full review over at the Car and Driver website.
<p>Spot on!</p>
<p>Â So true! Test drove the 500 and I seriously can’t handle that feeling like it’s on stilts… I won’t be trading my MINI for a while!</p>
<p>Â no surprise</p>
<p>Something that needs to be noted is that the Mini has a poor reliability record and costs the same to repair as a full sized BMW car as expressed by my Mini owning friends and various consumer and car review magazines and web sights.</p>
<p>Having owned three MINIs and six BMWs over the years… I’m happy to say repairs costs aren’t the same. Reliability really depends on the specific MINI and/or BMW though. I will be shocked if the Fiat 500 with a new plant, essentially a new car, new market, new sales channel and new service personal can even be on par with the MINI in terms of service and reliability. </p>
<p>Prepare to be shocked.</p>
<p>Â According to “Which?”, the UK equivalent to Consumers Reports, Fiat reliability is near the bottom.</p>
<p>Â Anyone know how much a dealer oil change is on the Fiat? My last MINI one cost $375 (and, no, all they did was the regular oil change and air filter) so I bet Fiat has the edge there. Â I think Siid1 is right in that when MINIs go wrong they cost way more than a small car should to repair but my ’05 has been really reliable. Most first gen cars have problems so I expect Fiat to have them too.</p>
<p>Wow. I mean wow. I would HIGHLY recommend doing your own next time or finding a local shop that carries the appropriate oil.</p>
<p>$375 is robbery for any make of car. Mine is usually CAD$130 taxes in at the dealership… and if I do get a new MINI this year, I’ll be doing my own oil changes when the free maintenance runs out.</p>
<p>Seriously… the oil and filter are $50 at the dealer, so that’s $325 for 30 minutes (or less) of labor. My dealer charges $100, and I think THAT’s too much for labor (~$50). </p>
<p>I can see service being a plus for MINI because in my case, at least, my MINI is serviced in the same center as BMWs and the customer service has always been really good. Plus, I get a free loaner MINI. All in all, I get the same quality facilities and customer service for my $21,000 car as the folks driving $90,000 BMWs. Getting a Fiat serviced at a Chrysler dealership doesn’t inspire similar confidence.</p>
<p>Â It’s been months since you are warned, thanks to european experience reported here, that 500 is a low-cost Mini.</p>
<p>So once for all, don’t be surprised…</p>
<p>My MINI oil changes have been under $60.00 Bucks here in Colorado, and that is with an inspection. </p>
<p>I read this review in print as well – nice to see it summarized so well here by Nathaniel. </p>
<p>My own take is that a more appropriate comparison, given the significant pricing disparity between the Cooper as tested and the 500 as tested, is the upcoming 500 Abarth. Price should still be cheaper for the Abarth and HP and dynamics are expected to be closer, if not possibly in favour of the Abarth. Ditto for the Abarth essesse versus the Cooper S. </p>
<p>As has been pointed out before, the main dynamic advantage of the 500 in all its trim levels is significantly lower curb weight and significantly smaller footprint.  BUT, the main dynamic disadvantage is the HORRIBLE seating height… you sit as if on TWO PHONEBOOKS in the 500! It’s a shame as it crowds taller drivers and cannot inspire confidence in hard driving. </p>
<p>Styling-wise it is a hands down win for the 500 over the bloated looking R56 especially when it is wearing the aero kit as shown in the video. Â ;)Â </p>
<p>Yep. Car and Driver was good enough to point out the price disparity in the opening of its comparison, but who would be tuning in to read about a 500 vs. a Fiesta or a Fit? (Actually, I’d like to see it compared to a Fiesta, so that’s a bad example…)</p>
<p>I think Fiesta vs 500 comparison would be a good idea.</p>
<p>IMO, the price disparity isn’t as much as C&D indicates. They don’t NEED any of the $3500 in options, except MAYBE the sport package (16″ wheels and DTC) for the MINI to beat the Fiat in almost every possible test.</p>
<p>Secondly, for the difference in size, ~100lb isn’t a “significantly lower curb weight”, IMO. When you’re talking daily drivers, that’s not a lot. The MINI could be +/- 100lb based on how much gas is in the tank.</p>
<p>I’ll have to disagree on styling, as well. The relatively tall and narrow 500 looks much more like an econobox to me. Obviously, other people are welcome to their opinions, but that’s mine.</p>
<p>Â I agree… the 500 is just way too narrow and tall. Not to mention that Aero body kit really doesn’t do the MINI any favors in the looks department.</p>
<p>Â I agree… the 500 is just way too narrow and tall. Not to mention that Aero body kit really doesn’t do the MINI any favors in the looks department.</p>
<p>Ive owned 3 MINIs and when it came time to ditch my gas gulping toyota FJ i went to look at the FIATs. I bought the FIAT on the spot. Its not perfect, but neither is the MINI, but its perfect for what its intended to be. its fun to drive, gets me 40mpg on the highway, fits 4 adults in a pinch, and looks fantastic all in a cheap stylish little package. It gets a ton of attention (guy drove by today with his camera out the window and took a picture of me driving ha). It doesn’t prentend to be anything its not, and doing so seems to surprise me daily. great little car, just like the MINI!</p>