MINI Cooper vs Volkswagen Golf Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2012 catalog dimensions. MINI Cooper · Volkswagen Golf

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length146.6 in – 146.8 in
  • Height54.3 in – 55.4 in
  • Wheelbase97.1 in
  • Ground clearance5.3 in – 5.5 in
  • Curb weight2,535 lb – 2,701 lb
Front / width
  • Width66.3 in
  • Volkswagen Golf width70.0 in – 70.3 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: MINI Cooper is 18.9 in shorter (146.7 in vs 165.6 in)
  • Width: MINI Cooper is 3.9 in narrower (66.3 in vs 70.2 in)
  • Height: Volkswagen Golf is 3.2 in taller (54.8 in vs 58.0 in)
  • Wheelbase: Volkswagen Golf has a 4.4 in longer wheelbase (97.1 in vs 101.5 in)
  • Curb weight: Volkswagen Golf is 529 lb heavier (2,618 lb vs 3,147 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: Volkswagen Golf is 529 lb heavier (2,618 lb vs 3,147 lb)
  2. Length: MINI Cooper is 18.9 in shorter (146.7 in vs 165.6 in)
  3. Height: Volkswagen Golf is 3.2 in taller (54.8 in vs 58.0 in)
  4. Width: MINI Cooper is 3.9 in narrower (66.3 in vs 70.2 in)
  5. Wheelbase: Volkswagen Golf has a 4.4 in longer wheelbase (97.1 in vs 101.5 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageMINI CooperMINI Cooper is shorter by 18.9 in Check garage fit for MINI Cooper · garage fit for Volkswagen Golf
  • Narrower for tight parkingMINI CooperMINI Cooper is narrower by 3.9 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintMINI CooperBased on length × width (MINI Cooper)

Dimension comparison

SpecMINI CooperVolkswagen GolfDifference
Length146.7 in165.6 in18.9 in
Width66.3 in70.2 in3.9 in
Height54.8 in58.0 in3.2 in
Wheelbase97.1 in101.5 in4.4 in
Ground clearance5.4 in
Curb weight2,618 lb3,147 lb529 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range (e.g. length 146.6 in – 146.8 in).

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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