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...

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.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Used Car Hunter: four-seat city cars for £7,000
Car Hunter: city cars for £7,000 - header image

Used Car Hunter: four-seat city cars for £7,000

Our Car Hunter has £7,000 to find a stylish, four-seat urban runabout
Features
22 May 2025
Used MINI (Mk3, 2014-2024) buyer's guide: award-winning hatch is a great bargain
Used MINI - front

Used MINI (Mk3, 2014-2024) buyer's guide: award-winning hatch is a great bargain

A full used buyer’s guide on the MINI covering the MINI Mk3 that was on sale between 2014 and 2024
Used car tests
27 Feb 2025
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

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025