MINI Electric vs Renault ZOE: space and practicality

Overall, the Renault ZOE is the more practical of these two. While the MINI fulfils its brief as a stylish urban runaround, the ZOE goes a step further and feels more like a conventional supermini in terms of flexibility. The ZOE is only available with five doors, while the MINI makes do with three; access to the ZOE’s rear bench is far easier and there’s more head and legroom once you’re in. 

There’s a gulf between these two when it comes to boot space, too: the MINI makes do with 211 litres, while the ZOE gets 338. Fold the seats down and the Renault boasts 1,225 litres – far more than the 731 litres of total space in the MINI.

The difference between these two is entirely down to packaging: the MINI’s battery is located under the boot floor, while the ZOE has its battery mounted under the rear seats. The trade-off in the MINI is restricted boot space, while the ZOE actually uses its layout to its advantage: the extra height of the rear seats improves comfort for rear-seat occupants.