Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

MINI Cooper review: a fun and sophisticated EV

The MINI Cooper is a high-tech electric hatch that maintains a premium feel while also being fun to drive

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Price
£23,150 - £42,500
  • Fun dynamics
  • Impressive in-car technology
  • High-quality cabin finish
  • Not exactly cheap
  • Rear-seat access is tight
  • Range is only just acceptable
Find your MINI MINI Cooper
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Quick verdict

The MINI Cooper SE is not cheap, but it does have that air of sophisticated fun that’s made the reborn brand such a success over the past two decades. Compact dimensions and a modest battery mean that this is not a car that will win prizes for practicality or even EV range – but it oozes quality and has just enough dynamic spark to feel like a MINI. We can’t wait to try the forthcoming petrol-powered versions to see if they offer a similar experience for much less cash.

 

Key specs

Fuel type

Electric

Body style

Three-door hatchback

Powertrain

40.7kWh battery (36.6kWh useable), 1x e-motor

54.2kWh battery (49.2kWh useable), 1x e-motor

Safety

N/A

Warranty

3yrs, unlimited miles

MINI Cooper: price, specs and rivals

MINI recently stretched the reach of its range with its largest-ever model, the new Countryman. But the company is also introducing a fresh generation of its core product, the three-door MINI Cooper – and its SUV sibling’s growth spurt puts this car under more pressure than ever to stay true to the pure ethos of the ‘modern MINI’.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The latest car, codenamed J01 in electric form, will be available with a choice of this powertrain or a combustion-engined version (F66) with 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre petrol power. But we’re restricted to just the electric car for this first taste of the final production version, after being impressed by a run in a prototype last year.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

MINI tries hard to maintain the links between its modern three-door model and the original car from the sixties – probably harder than it ought to. But the latest reinvention is certainly a neat one – helped, just as the larger-than-ever Countryman was, by the addition of the MINI Aceman five-door EV into the middle of the line-up.

As such, the designers have been able to keep this three-door compact, with roughly the same footprint as the previous generation, while trimming away many of its styling add-ons and panel surfacing to create a small car that manages to mix cuteness with sophistication. Mind you, it’s still more than 20cm longer overall than an electric Fiat 500, so if your overriding priority is a tiny EV then the Italian car may be a better option.

The overall effect of the styling revamp is quite angle dependent; from the front corner the car looks short and squat, as a MINI should. But the side profile reveals how much front overhang has had to be introduced, presumably in the name of crash protection and the myriad sensors, and how lengthy the wheelbase has become to accommodate a larger battery pack.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The standard kit across the range includes a heated steering wheel, a rear-view camera, cruise control, and satellite navigation. SE models get heated front seats, LED headlights with high-beam assist, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a head-up display and anti-dazzle mirrors. Further options packs (called Levels) can bring larger wheels, a panoramic glass roof, a Harmon Kardon sound system, and electric seat adjustment.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Additionally, the car is being offered with three cosmetic-focused trim levels. Classic offers a choice of four body colours and two roof colours, plus 16-inch alloy wheels, and a couple of upholstery options. Exclusive expands the roof-colour choice to three, brings a brighter cabin finish, and beefs up the alloys to 17 inches. Sport gets its own mix of body colours, introduces high-gloss black detail elements and cord upholstery, and switches to 18-inch wheels.

Engines, performance & drive

It may be electric only (for now), but the latest MINI Cooper manages to embody the sharp dynamics and fun that have been rolled up in the brand since its reinvention by BMW. In Cooper SE form at least, it’s fast enough and great to drive, but we’d like to try a Classic version with smaller 16-inch wheels, because we found the ride to be a little firm and think smaller wheels might help improve comfort levels. Read more about the MINI Cooper's electric motors, performance and drive…

Range, charging & running costs

The MINI is no better than the class average in terms of range and charging. It trumps the likes of the Abarth 500e, but a range of a little over 200 miles in the real world will still be a barrier for some. Insurance is likely to cost more than the Fiat 500e, but less than for small EV alternatives like the Ora 03 and MG4, while the MINI’s desirability is likely to help it retain more of its value over time. Read more about the MINI Cooper's range, charging and running costs…

Design, interior & technology

Step inside the MINI Cooper, and you’ll find a beautifully finished interior that feels every bit the baby premium supermini its price suggests. It’s also a tech tour de force, with a highly impressive and responsive infotainment system. Of course, there are different styles to be had with the Classic, Exclusive, and Sport trims, which cater for differing tastes. Read more about the MINI Cooper's interior, design and technology…

Boot space, comfort & practicality

The MINI Cooper can seat four adults, but those in the rear will have to forgo most of their grace to get in and out of their seats thanks to the compromises of a three-door bodystyle. The boot remains on the small side, with barely city-car amounts of capacity and no clever touches to make up for the lack of overall volume compared to bigger, similarly priced rivals. Read more about the MINI Cooper's boot space, comfort and practicality…

Safety & reliability

It’s too early to say how safe the MINI Cooper is, given that Euro NCAP hasn’t crash tested it yet, but it does come with plenty of standard active and passive safety features, so we expect it should do well. The MINI brand has a decent reputation in the Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, so we hope that the latest Cooper continues this trend. Read more about the MINI Cooper’s reliability and safety…

Should you buy a MINI Cooper?

The new MINI Cooper is an EV that somehow manages to feel like a MINI should, with a firm but composed chassis that rewards keen drivers – even if they’ll have to get used to the artificial sounds that try to improve the level of involvement. But in truth, it probably has enough of the modern icon’s DNA about it to satisfy aficionados, while offering them a considerable upgrade in cabin quality, fit and finish.

It may not be the cheapest small car, and it is certainly not the most practical – but modern MINIs have traded on fun and desirability more than these factors, and the Cooper E and SE indeed show every sign of being able to continue that.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on MINI Cooper

Best used automatic cars
Best used automatic cars - header image

Best used automatic cars

Give your left leg a rest with one of these nine great used cars with easy-going automatic gearboxes
Best cars & vans
3 Oct 2024
Car Deal of the Day: brand-new MINI Cooper C for £188 per month
MINI Cooper S - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: brand-new MINI Cooper C for £188 per month

MINI’s latest reimagining of the 1960’s icon is our deal of the day for September 22
News
22 Sep 2024
Cheapest electric cars on sale 2024
Cheapest electric cars - header image

Cheapest electric cars on sale 2024

EVs are often dismissed for being too expensive, so we've put together a list of the ten cheapest electric cars money can buy
Best cars & vans
19 Sep 2024
New MINI John Cooper Works E leaked online ahead of Paris Motor Show reveal
New MINI John Cooper Works E leaked - front 3/4

New MINI John Cooper Works E leaked online ahead of Paris Motor Show reveal

The first-ever electric MINI JCW features a suitably sporty bodykit and pumps out 255bhp
News
16 Sep 2024
Best city cars to buy 2024
Best city cars - header image

Best city cars to buy 2024

There are plenty of appealing city cars to choose from, so here’s our guide to the best urban runabouts
Best cars & vans
9 Sep 2024
The world's most famous Minis: super Coopers that built a legend
Super Mini Coopers - Mini Coopers from The Italian Job

The world's most famous Minis: super Coopers that built a legend

We remember some of the most famous Minis from history
Features
26 Aug 2024
New MINI John Cooper Works is coming in hot
MINI Cooper JCW models on banked circuit - front action

New MINI John Cooper Works is coming in hot

The souped-up version of the new MINI Cooper will be offered with petrol or electric power
News
20 Aug 2024
MINI Cooper E vs Peugeot E-208: electric cars clash for supermini supremacy
MINI Cooper E and Peugeot E-208 - front tracking

MINI Cooper E vs Peugeot E-208: electric cars clash for supermini supremacy

The new MINI Cooper E takes on the updated Peugeot E-208 in an electric supermini clash
Car group tests
10 Aug 2024
Best superminis to buy 2024
Best superminis - header image

Best superminis to buy 2024

It's a hard-fought class, but these are the 10 best superminis on sale right now
Best cars & vans
23 Jul 2024
MINI John Cooper Works E PROtotype previews electric hot hatch
MINI John Cooper Works E PROtotype - front tracking

MINI John Cooper Works E PROtotype previews electric hot hatch

MINI’s truly hot electric Cooper will be previewed at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed
News
4 Jul 2024
Smallest cars on sale in the UK
Smallest cars - header image

Smallest cars on sale in the UK

These are the most compact cars you can buy right now
Best cars & vans
28 Jun 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement
New MINI Cooper 5-Door arrives exclusively with petrol power
MINI Cooper 5-Door - front

New MINI Cooper 5-Door arrives exclusively with petrol power

The new five-door MINI is available to order now, with prices starting from £24,050
News
11 Jun 2024
New MINI Cooper S 2024 review: desirable and full of charm
New 2024 MINI Cooper S - front tracking

New MINI Cooper S 2024 review: desirable and full of charm

The new MINI Cooper S has excellent build quality and is brilliant to drive, even with its impracticalities.
Road tests
21 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: brand new, super chic MINI Cooper for less than £200 a month!
MINI Cooper - front static

Car Deal of the Day: brand new, super chic MINI Cooper for less than £200 a month!

The latest iteration of Britain’s iconic supermini is is our Car Deal of the Day for 3 May
News
3 May 2024
Top 10 best ‘Easter eggs’ in cars
Best car easter eggs - header image

Top 10 best ‘Easter eggs’ in cars

Easter Sunday – commonly referred to as ‘stuff your face with chocolate day’ – is rapidly approaching, so what better way to celebrate than exploring …
Best cars & vans
29 Mar 2024
Confirmed: British-built MINI Cooper Convertible set for summer launch
MINI Convertible 2024 exclusive image

Confirmed: British-built MINI Cooper Convertible set for summer launch

The all-new soft-top MINI will arrive this year, with a hot JCW version to follow
News
12 Mar 2024
Best cars for £20,000 or less
Best cars for £20,000 or less - header image

Best cars for £20,000 or less

£20k is serious used car money, these are our favourite buys for that kind of budget
Best cars & vans
11 Mar 2024
MINI Cooper E goes back to basics with cut price ‘Classic’ trim level
MINI Cooper E Classic - front tracking

MINI Cooper E goes back to basics with cut price ‘Classic’ trim level

The all-electric MINI retains its retro-inspired design but gains new technology
News
16 Feb 2024
New MINI Cooper gets petrol power and £22k starting price
MINI Cooper - front

New MINI Cooper gets petrol power and £22k starting price

British-built supermini boasts tech-centric cabin and lots of scope for customisation, but no manual gearbox
News
7 Feb 2024
Best-selling cars of 2023
Best-selling cars 2023 - header image

Best-selling cars of 2023

These were the country’s official favourite cars in 2023
Best cars & vans
1 Feb 2024
Best used convertibles 2024
Best used convertibles - header image

Best used convertibles 2024

If it’s open-top thrills that you’re after, the best used convertibles offer incredible value for money
Best cars & vans
12 Jan 2024
New MINI Cooper testing takes next step as full reveal approaches
2024 MINI Cooper - front

New MINI Cooper testing takes next step as full reveal approaches

All-electric MINI will soon be joined by UK-built petrol version
News
23 Nov 2023
Abarth 500e vs MINI Electric: 2023 twin test review
MINI Electric chasing Abarth 500e

Abarth 500e vs MINI Electric: 2023 twin test review

The Abarth 500e launches the Italian brand into the world of electric hot hatches – but is it more fun than a MINI Electric?
Car group tests
14 Oct 2023