The Mini Cooper and Volkswagen Beetle are usually lumped together because of their retro heritage, although both left that idea behind long ago.
The Beetle isn’t as fun to drive, but it’s less expensive.
The Fiat 500 may be a consideration for the two-door Mini Cooper, although we’d be hard-pressed to recommend anything other than the hot Abarth.
The Honda Fit and Chevy Spark are good, inexpensive hatchbacks that will be more practical than the Cooper, but perhaps not as expressive.
The Miata is just as fun to drive as the Cooper, although far less practical.
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 2018 MINI CooperBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Chevrolet SparkBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Honda FitBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Mazda MX-5 MiataBrowse Used Listings |  2018 Volkswagen BeetleBrowse Used Listings |  2018 FIAT 500Browse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2018 Mini Cooper is an icon made better by nimble handling and infinite customization. |
The 2018 Chevrolet Spark is a better minicar than competitors, but a larger subcompact or compact simply offers more—at a price that’s likely close. |
The 2018 Honda Fit spaces out when it comes to economy-car goodness. |
The 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the quintessential modern sports car. |
The 2018 Volkswagen Beetle is a competent small car that’s showing its age. The same could be said for every other Beetle on the road and that hasn’t stopped it yet, has it? |
The 2018 Fiat 500 packs more punch this year, but it’s still a statement of style over some substance. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $21,600 | $13,050 | $16,190 | $25,295 | $20,220 | $16,245 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 22 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 28 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3 | Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Subcompact Cars | Subcompact Car | Small Station Wagon | Two Seaters | Compact Cars | Minicompact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| Oxford Edition FWD | 4-Door HB Manual LS | LX Manual | Sport Manual | S Automatic | Pop Hatch |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback | Convertible | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual w/OD | Manual | Manual w/OD | Manual | Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2018 MINI Cooper vs. 2018 Chevrolet Spark | 2018 MINI Cooper vs. 2018 Honda Fit | 2018 MINI Cooper vs. 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 2018 MINI Cooper vs. 2018 Volkswagen Beetle | 2018 MINI Cooper vs. 2018 FIAT 500 | |
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