Against 422 other 4-cyl cars rated 2023–2025, the Hardtop beats their 26.5 mpg average by 5.5 mpg, about $249 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2015, the 1.5L 3-cyl (2016–2024), does 31.8 mpg and the thirstiest, the 2L 4-cyl (2015–2025), 29.5: $94 a year apart.
Every Mini Hardtop engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 3-cyl | 28.3 / 37.7 | 2016–2024 | $1,208 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 26.3 / 34.8 | 2015–2025 | $1,302 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Honda Civic gets 41.2 mpg, the Nissan Sentra 33.7 mpg and the Honda Prelude 44 mpg, next to 32 mpg for the 2025 Hardtop. The Hardtop costs the most of them to run: $327 a year more than the Honda Prelude.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2025) | $0.100 |
| Fuel per year | $1,200 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,000 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2023–2025 | −$249 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,533 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2025 Mini Hardtop gives up 11 mpg in town: 39 on the highway against 28 in the city, $386 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2025) | 28 mpg | $1,371 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 39 mpg | $985 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +11 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Hardtop changed over the years
The Hardtop peaked in 2025 at 32 mpg (28 city, 39 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2015 at 27 — 5 mpg apart, or $222 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2016: 27 to 30 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 28 / 39 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2024 | 28.5 / 38 | 2 | $1,219 | |
| 2023 | 28.5 / 38 | 2 | $1,219 | |
| 2022 | 28.5 / 38 | 2 | $1,219 | |
| 2021 | 27 / 36 | 2 | $1,259 | |
| 2020 | 27 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,259 | |
| 2019 | 26.5 / 35 | 2 | $1,280 | |
| 2018 | 26.5 / 35 | 2 | $1,280 | |
| 2017 | 26.5 / 35 | 2 | $1,280 | |
| 2016 | 26.5 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,280 | |
| 2015 | 25 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 20 EPA ratings of the Mini Hardtop — 2 engines across 2015–2025. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,533. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2025 Mini Hardtop get?
32 mpg combined, 28 city and 39 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2015 the Hardtop has averaged 30.5 mpg.
Is the 2025 Hardtop more efficient than the 2024?
About the same: 32 against 31.5 mpg combined.
Which Hardtop year has the best gas mileage?
The 2025, at 32 mpg combined (28 city, 39 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Hardtop get better gas mileage than the Honda Civic?
No: 32 mpg for the 2025 Hardtop against 41.2 for the 2026 Honda Civic, about $268 a year more to run.
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