Tiny turbo test: Mini Cooper v Audi A3
They come with perky three-cylinder turbo engines and premium prices. Drive one for excitement, the other for relaxation
MINI COOPER SEVEN $39,200 drive-away, 15 pts
VALUE 2.5 STARS
The “Seven” edition has radar cruise control, built-in navigation, digital radio, sports seats, unique 17-inch alloys and rear camera and sensors but no Apple Car Play/Android Auto. Service intervals are based on your driving — the car tells you when it needs a service. On the annual average of 15,000km, the cost over three years is $1280-$3137 depending on which service pack you buy. Warranty is three years/unlimited km.
DESIGN/TECH 3 STARS
The unusual styling makes you smile every time you approach it — and when you slip behind the wheel. But the cool-looking cabin controls can also be frustrating as they’re not as intuitive to use as the Audi’s, and the switches feel flimsy. The thick, upright windscreen pillars can obscure your view at crossings or in intersections. Rear seat and boot are tiny.
ENGINE 3.5 STARS
The three-cylinder turbo (100kW/220Nm) has more grunt than the Audi due to greater displacement, 1.5 litres versus 1.0. Combine this with a lighter body and conventional six-speed auto and the Mini is much brisker off the line. It’s marginally thirstier, claiming 4.9L/100km of premium unleaded.
SAFETY 3 STARS
Four stars and six airbags and the body structure performed well in the offset frontal crash at 64km/h, with a respectable score of 14.6/16. However, the ANCAP test found “driver chest and abdomen protection in the side impact test was marginal” and the Mini scored 12.2/16. A rear camera, normally not standard, is part of the Seven pack.
DRIVING 3 STARS
Living up to Mini’s reputation, the Cooper hugs corners — but so do most other quality European cars these days. The Mini jiggles more over bumps than the Audi (perhaps due to the stiffer run-flat tyres) and the steering is not as smooth as the rival hatch either. But it definitely has more straight-line zip.
AUDI A3 $40,800 drive-away, 17.5 pts
VALUE 2.5 STARS
It’s the least expensive way into an A3 but it’s certainly not cheap. You really need to be a fuel miser and a fan of the brand to choose this over a similarly priced VW Golf GTI. Navigation is standard but Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and digital radio are optional. Warranty is three years/unlimited km. Service intervals are 12 months/15,000km. Routine service over three years costs $1680. Not cheap but not the worst we’ve seen.
DESIGN/TECH 4 STARS
The styling is understated and the fit and finish and materials exude luxury. Five-door convenience weighs in its favour in this company. It has a roomier rear seat, bigger boot and much more storage. There’s also more shoulder room front and rear. The instrument layout is more conventional than the Mini’s and the switches and dials feel precise and upmarket.
ENGINE 3.5 STARS
The 1.0-litre triple turbo (85kW/200Nm) is more refined and more economical (4.8L/100km), although premium unleaded is also required. The seven-speed twin-clutch auto hesitates when moving from rest but under way it’s a smooth operator.
SAFETY 4 STARS
Five-star rating followed a high score of 15.4/16 in the offset frontal crash test at 64km/h. Standard are seven airbags, automatic emergency city-speed braking, front and rear parking sensors and rear camera. Lane keeping, blind zone warning, auto-dipping high-beam and radar cruise control with stop-and-go function come in a $1500 option pack.
DRIVING 3.5 STARS
On standard 16-inch wheels — and tyres with plenty of cushion rather than low-profile rubber — the Audi feels luxurious. It’s composed over bumps and quiet on coarse surfaces. The steering is at least as precise as the Mini’s. Overall the A3 feels more relaxing to drive. The extra urge from the turbo kicks in at just the right time. This is the one I’d live with day to day.
VERDICT
The Mini is fun to look at and you’ll stand out from the crowd. The Audi is the better all-round package, with a level of luxury that comes closer to justifying the price.
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