DecodedCarsMINI John Cooper Works vs Subaru BRZ
2026 MINI John Cooper Works vs 2026 Subaru BRZ — two minicompact cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The MINI John Cooper Works is more fuel-efficient: 30 vs 25 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $550 a year less in fuel for the MINI John Cooper Works (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
Across all model years since 2005, the MINI John Cooper Works has had fewer recall campaigns (2 vs 5).
The two cars
The 2026 MINI John Cooper Works is a minicompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive. EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (27 city / 37 highway), 48% better than the 2026 minicompact car average of 20.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,750 a year in fuel.
The 2026 Subaru BRZ is a minicompact car offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 168 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,815 lb.
Buying used? The 2024 John Cooper Works and the 2023 BRZ have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 John Cooper Works and the 2018 BRZ.
Basics
Efficiency
Performance & space
Safety & reliability
Interest
Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →
Which one should you choose?
Choose the MINI John Cooper Works if…
- You want lower fuel bills (30 vs 25 MPG)
Choose the Subaru BRZ if…
It doesn't clearly beat the MINI John Cooper Works on any measure we track.
Pros & cons of each
2026 MINI John Cooper Works
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 48% better than the average 2026 minicompact car (20.3 MPG).
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
2026 Subaru BRZ
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 23% better than the average 2026 minicompact car (20.3 MPG).
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Full 2026 MINI John Cooper Works specs →Full 2026 Subaru BRZ specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →