The Mini Cooper SE is my favourite EV of the yr

The model new all-electric Mini Cooper SE is a far cry from my first automobile. That was a Nineteen Seventies Mini panel van, which was cute however hopelessly unrefined and hideously gradual. This EV, however, is basically a sizzling hatch, although there’s a trunk lid somewhat than a liftback. It’s additionally very refined, with the mannequin I’ve been driving this final week that includes a number of extras that give it a premium really feel.

For me, nonetheless, the principle attraction of the Mini Cooper SE is the best way it drives. Anybody who finds most EVs mundane to drive ought to strive one out as a result of it’s a riot, with oodles of efficiency and nice dealing with on faucet. Whereas the newest incarnation of the Mini would possibly feel and look one million miles away from the unique imaginative and prescient, it’s bought a shocking quantity in frequent with earlier automobiles. That ranges from retro styling touches via to the go-kart type buzz delivered when behind the wheel.

I’ve pushed among the best electric cars this yr, together with the good Hyundai Ionic N. The Mini Cooper SE can now be part of the record; it’s a blast. Even should you’re a purist and suppose the brand new mannequin is a bit too far faraway from the unique, it’s price experiencing if just for the shock you’ll get when pushing down on the accelerator pedal.

Editor’s alternative

Mini Cooper SE

The Mini Cooper SE hits the spot on nearly each degree. It’s an excellent wanting automobile, each inside and outside. The up to date inside advantages from some good tech, together with a retro-but-modern central touchscreen. It’s snug too, however the most effective bit is the driving expertise, which is every thing a small EV must be.

Engine

Electrical motor powered by Lithium-ion battery

Drive Format

Two-wheel drive

Horsepower

330 kW / 215 hp

0-60mph

6.7 seconds

Torque

330 Nm

Prime Velocity

106 mph

Transsmission

Computerized

Professionals

• Enjoyable to drive, with efficiency and dealing with to match
• Refined with consolation and loads of tech on faucet
• Wonderful revisioning of unique Mini

Cons

• Trunk lid must be slammed shut
• Costly if all of the trim choices are added

Broaden

Value, specs, and availability

The mannequin I’ve been testing is a top-of-the-range trim version, which is fitted with greater than £5,000 price of non-obligatory extras. Meaning it comes with a hefty £33,920 (simply over $45,000) price ticket. Anybody who can do with out the additional trimmings can lop a piece of change off the asking value, and it isn’t going to be to any actual detriment of the driving expertise both.

Design and construct

Basic seems to be simply bought higher

To be sincere, I haven’t been an enormous fan of the fashionable Mini. They’re vastly widespread, and I see them in all places, however I’ve by no means felt like I wished to personal one. All that has modified with the arrival of the Mini Cooper SE. Possibly it’s the colour mixture I bought to strive, which featured a Blazing Blue exterior topped with an excellent white roof, black tinted glass and sporty 18-inch alloy wheels. It seems to be the enterprise.

Whereas the general design is likely to be very trendy, there’s additionally sufficient retro stuff occurring that helps to maintain the essence of what made the unique mini so tempting. There are nonetheless loads of styling touches that assist hold the automobile related although, with my check automobile that includes glorious adaptive LED headlights and folding mirrors that helpfully auto-dimmed as and once I wanted them to. A panoramic glass sunroof supplied the icing on the cake.

The inside take

Premium really feel on the within

Admittedly, my check automobile had unique trim content material and over £5,000’s price of choices, nevertheless it was nonetheless an actual deal with to take a seat within the cockpit. The white trimmed seats have that basic Mini look, however are far more snug. There’s an excellent little steering wheel too, which lets me perform loads of automobile management choices as a substitute of utilizing the touchscreen, and the electrical heated seats helped to take the sting off cooler fall temperatures.

I may need been spoiled with this trim degree, nevertheless it left me feeling like the additional value was justified. The inside of the Mini Cooper SE is admittedly fairly particular and one of many comfiest small automobile cockpits I’ve been in just lately.

The know-how breakdown

Numerous tech treats to get pleasure from

My outdated Mini had nothing in the best way of tech, and the Cooper SE reveals simply how far we’ve include interiors. The beauty of that is that Mini’s designers retained the unique feel and look. Living proof: The central Speedo, which is now a touchscreen that bristles with every thing I want, together with a wonderful satellite tv for pc navigation system. It may be custom-made too and even switched into Go-Kart mode, whereby the display adjustments to go well with the event. The retro mode, in the meantime, makes the show appear like it did in outdated Minis.

My Cooper SE additionally got here with a small heads-up show, a bunch of the standard driver aids and wi-fi cellphone charging, plus consolation touches, together with heated seats. Cleverly, it’s the little particulars that make all of the distinction, with a button panel beneath the Speedo display, which has an on/off toggle for the ability the place the unique automobile ignition key was positioned. The Harmon Kardon encompass audio system sounded superb, too.

Battery, vary and efficiency

I drove an earlier model of the all-electric Mini, and it was wonderful, however nowhere close to nearly as good as the brand new mannequin. With 215 horsepower to play with, this automobile is at all times wanting to get on down the highway, with the 0 to 60mph time of 6.7 seconds seeming even faster than that on account of its compact dimension. The opposite main attraction of the Cooper SE is its vary, with the official determine of 244 miles proving actually sensible. I additionally discovered the battery to be quick and easy to charge, with the 95kW most charging capability that means my stops had been usually carried out and dusted in lower than half-hour.

Must you purchase the Mini Cooper SE?

I’m completely bought on the Mini Cooper SE. It’s bought every thing I like about small electrical automobiles. There’s the efficiency and dealing with, which may be tweaked and fine-tuned to supply much more enjoyable relying in your temper and the driving state of affairs. This automobile has a sensible vary too, with the power to get it charged in subsequent to no time as properly. Add on the fab design, nice coloration mixture and old-meets-new styling touches and that is one very sturdy bundle. Nice stuff.

Editor’s alternative

Mini Cooper SE