Skip advert
Advertisement

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

An all-new MINI is always a big deal and following the launch of this latest fifth-generation model MINI has followed up with an entry-level ‘Classic’ version of the electric Cooper E. Available to order now, the MINI Cooper E Classic starts from £30,000.

MINI says that despite being the entry-level version of the electric supermini, the Cooper E Classic still “impresses with its efficient electric drive and brand-typical driving dynamics”.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Given its the Cooper E, there’s a 40.7kWh battery, instead of the 54.2kWh unit found in the Cooper S E. That means range stands at a maximum 188 miles in Classic trim, with a front-mounted electric motor putting out 181bhp and 290Nm of torque for a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds - only 0.3 seconds off the Abarth 500e electric hot hatch. Charging speeds for the Cooper E max out at 75kW, meaning a 20 to 80 per cent recharge takes 28 minutes. 

Standard equipment for the Classic includes LED lights front and rear, just one standard paint finish - silver. Sunny Side Yellow, Nanuq White and Midnight Black are all £550 extras, but the option to change the roof from body colour to black is at least free. There are 16-inch ‘4-square spoke’ alloys as standard with the 17-inch rims costing £550. 

Inside there’s a no-cost choice between black and blue or grey and blue colour schemes for the vegan leather and fabric upholstery, plus an new OLED circular 9.4-inch screen in the middle of the dash that mimicks the speedometer from the classic Mini. Also standard is automatic dual-zone air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic brakes, lane departure warning, a rear-view camera, integrated sat-nav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 

A £2,000 ‘Level 1’ options kit includes a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, heated front seats and wireless smartphone charging. The £4,000 ‘Level 2’ package adds all of this plus an uprated sound system, a panoramic roof, tinted windows and MINI’s driving assistance plus system. 

Now read more about the best electric cars to buy...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best used small cars to buy now
Best used small cars - header image

Best used small cars to buy now

Our guide to the best used small cars, covering the top second hand city cars and superminis
Best cars & vans
21 Nov 2024
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, 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

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price
Ford Capri - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price

Rebooted Seventies classic is now an electric SUV for a low monthly outlay. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 February
News
5 Feb 2025
Best car insurance comparison sites 2025
Person browsing on a laptop

Best car insurance comparison sites 2025

It’s always a wise policy to shop around for car insurance cover, so which websites make it easiest?
Product group tests
6 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month

The I-Pace shows how good an electric Jag can be. It’s our Deal of the Day for 7 February
News
7 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts