Opel Adam vs Fiat 500 S vs Mini One: Which one has the lowest running costs?

By Stuart Johnston

In this running-cost assessment, the Opel Adam takes on its lightweight rivals, the Fiat 500 S and the Mini One Hatch. All of these have funky street-cred, small-capacity engines and not much in the way of rear passenger room or luggage capacity. But all should be easy on the pocket in day-to-day use.

 

Purchase price, warranty & maintenance plans

The Mini One Hatch has the highest purchase price at R313 000, but it comes with a maintenance plan, good for three years/100 000 km, along with a two-year warranty (unlimited kilometres). The Opel Adam costs R271 721 and comes with a service plan of three years/60 000 km duration and a three-year/120 000 km warranty. The Fiat 500 S has the lowest purchase price at R262 900 and has a three-year/100 000 km service plan and a three-year

 Parts prices

The Mini, having a maintenance plan as part of its purchase price, has an advantage over the Opel and the Fiat when it comes to the possible replacement of wear-and-tear items not covered by a service plan. However, once the cars are out of service or maintenance plan, it is known that Min parts are expensive. Fiat has a good reputation for reasonably priced parts, but according to an aftermarket car service we consulted, Opel parts should be the least expensive here.

Tyre costing

If these light cars are driven sensibly, front tyres should last over 50 000 km and rear tyres even longer. But when it comes to tyre replacement, the Mini will be the cheapest, as Mini One’s have the smallest tyre sizes of this trio, at 175/65/R15 sizing. The Fiat comes with 185/55 R15s, while the Opel Adam has the most expesnive standard-fit sizing at 195/65 R16.

 Fuel economy

Unsurprisingly, the little Fiat 500S with its 875 cc twin cylinder motor, has the lowest manufacturer-rated fuel consumption, at 4,2 litres/100 km. Next best is the Mini One Hatch at 4,9 litres/100 km, followed by the Opel Adam at 5,6 litres/100 km. The Mini and the Opel use three-cylinder engines. The Opel  uses a 999 cc three-cylinder rated at 85 kW, while the Mini has the largest engine of the trio at 1 499 cc. This three-cylinder turbo in basic Mini One Hatch form is rated at a modest 75 kW.

Driving Style and motoring environment

We use the manufacturer claimed figures here for comparative purposes and as a guide. In real-time motoring, most motorists will have found it almost impossible to match manufacturers’ consumption figures. Fuel consumption is very dependent on driving style, and also on whether a car is used predominantly in town, where it is much heavier on fuel, or on the freeway, where consumption figures come down dramatically.

Our verdict

The Opel Adam has the most power at its disposal, and if this power is exploited regularly it is likely to be the heaviest on fuel, but only by a small margin. Next will come the Mini and then the Fiat.

You should also read  our reviews on the Fiat 500 Twin air Pop Star, the Opel Adam S, and check a video review on the  Mini One Hatch.