MINI Electric (2020 – 2024) Review
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024) At A Glance
Fast and fun to drive, feels very posh and stylish inside, really intuitive infotainment system.
Rear space is very tight and a small boot, limited range even compared with other EVs, ride is rather firm.
There are other electric hatchbacks that do a much better job on range and interior space than the MINI Electric, so it won’t cut the mustard as a family’s only car. However, if you’re only viewing it as a weekday runabout, then it could still make sense for you if your commute is particularly short. What’s more, it has the kind of style, desirability and fun-factor that few rivals can match, making it a very appealing proposition among small electric cars. For image-conscious EV buyers, it’ll be a toss-up between this and the Honda e.
They say that with great power comes great responsibility, but is it possible to have great power, and to generate it in a really responsible way? Well, with an electric car, or EV for short, it sure is.
Like all pure EVs, the MINI Electric puts out zero tailpipe emissions: what could be more responsible than that? However, while most small EVs feel faster than their modest power and acceleration figures suggest, MINI’s offering has the performance figures to match, helping to make it the fun choice in the class.
Yep, the MINI’s straight-line speed is seriously impressive, its 184PS electric motor hauling it from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, and with the generous all-at-once torque you get from an electric motor, the car feels a whole lot brisker than that.
It’s not simply speed that makes the MINI Electric fun, either. MINIs are famed for their go-kart-like handling, and while the switch from combustion to batteries has dented that a fraction, it’s still a very enjoyable car to drive, with tight body control and quick steering. It’s certainly a lot more agile than any other small EV we’ve tried, although at the same time, it’s also less comfortable, too.
The interior is standard MINI fare, with hugely impressive quality, attractive design, strong ergonomics and plenty of luxury toys. The big difference you’ll notice in the electric version is the digital instrument display behind the steering wheel in place of the regular dials, and this looks great and works well.
There’s another difference between regular MINIs and the electric one, too, but this one’s less positive. No MINI is the last word in practicality, sure, but because the car’s batteries are stored under the rear seats, rear space is even more cramped, while the boot is just as tiny.
If you’re planning to regularly carry people or cargo, then rivals such as the Renault Zoe or Peugeot e-208 will suit you much, much better. Those rivals also have a considerably higher driving range, so if you’re planning to use your car for anything more than short-hop weekday commutes, then again, they’ll be a better bet than the MINI.
Other gripes? Well it’s pretty rubbish that Android users can’t integrate their smartphones.
However, the MINI Electric is like any other MINI in that it’s desirable, charming and likeable, and if anything, the fact that it’s electric makes it even more likeable.
Reviews for MINI Electric (2020 – 2024)'s top 3 rivals
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024) handling and engines
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024): Handling and ride quality
Quick steering makes the nose of the car very keen to turn in, and there’s very little body lean as you change direction.
That gives you the darty feel that you associate with a MINI. By the standards of other small electric cars, it feels very nimble indeed. By the standards of other MINIs, though, there is a difference. Push a bit harder, and you’ll find that the Electric MINI doesn’t have as much grip as its combustion-engined colleagues.
What’s more, the steering doesn’t give you as much feedback, so the action is slightly more diluted. Having said all that, though, the handling is still safe, well-balanced and lots of fun.
Ride comfort has never been an area of particular strength for MINIs, and so it proves with the Electric. It’s fine, and nothing most people won’t be able to cope with, but you do get jostled around in your seat along pockmarked urban streets, while potholes can give you a fair old jolt. Rivals are more settled on the motorway, too.
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024): Engines
There’s a reason the Electric MINI wears the Cooper S badge: because with 184PS from its electric motor, it has very nearly as much power. Plant the accelerator, and if anything, it feels even quicker than the petrol-guzzling hot hatch, thanks to strong torque that’s available the very instant that the motor starts spinning.
The stopwatch tells a different story, with the Electric version being about half a second slower in the benchmark 0-62mph sprint at 7.3 seconds, but it still feels seriously quick, and is significantly brisker than rivals such as the Renault Zoe. And because electric cars have a single gear, the strong acceleration remains uninterrupted by pesky gearchanges.
However, the way in which this prodigious power is unfurled depends on which driving mode you select. There are four: Sport, Mid, Green and Green Plus.
At the sportiest end of the scale, the slightest brush of the right-hand pedal results in a strong, instantaneous pick-up in speed. At the greener end of the gauge, you have to push the pedal much farther for strong acceleration, and your performance is much gentler until you do, encouraging you to drive more placidly.
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024): Safety
All versions of the electric MINI come with the usual collection of airbags and electronic stability and traction aids, along with super-bright LED lights front and back, front-and rear Isofix child seat mounting points and an automatic emergency calling system.
All models now come with autonomous emergency braking while 3 trim adds a head-up display to beam key driving information onto the windscreen so you don’t have to look away from the road as much. The 3 also has clever adaptive LED headlamps that bend their beams around oncoming cars so as not to dazzle fellow drivers.
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024): Towing
Thjere are no official figures available for the MINI Electric's towing capacity. It's unlikely to be much of a tow car given it's small size and weight, and the impact towing would have on its driving range.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper S 32.6kWh | - | 7.3 s | - |
| Cooper S 33kWh | - | 7.3 s | - |
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024) interior
- Boot space is 211–731 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3845–3876 mm |
| Width | 1928–1933 mm |
| Height | 1414–1432 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2495 mm |
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024): Practicality
The MINI Electric is only offered in three-door form - and not as a five-door - and MINIs aren’t exactly famed for their commodious passenger space.
Adult rear passengers will find their knees wedged into the seat in front, like in any MINI, but because the batteries live under the rear seats, requiring them to be mounted higher, and this restricts the (already limited) amount of headroom you get. A Renault Zoe, Honda E or Peugeot e-208 are all much roomier in the back, and they all have five seats as well, while the MINI only has four.
Boot space is just as teeny and in any other MINI, too, but at least it’s no worse. At 211 litres with the seats up, it's bigger than a Honda E’s, but you still won’t fit more than a few shopping bags in, and a Renault Zoe and Peugeot e-208 have a lot more space.
The charging cables are stored underneath a handy false floor to keep them out of the way, though. The rear bench also drops down in a 60-40 split to let you boost the cargo space available to 731 litres, but you’re left with a step in the load floor.
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024): Quality and finish
Everywhere you look there are soft-touch materials, chrome trims and glossy finishes, and these really inject a feeling of class and style.
The variety of the textures and finishes on show also helps the interior design look even more interesting. What’s more, all the chunky switches and knobs work with satisfying slickness and accuracy. You will find more functional plastics lower down in the footwells, but these are well hidden away and the feeling of quality you get is still greater than in pretty much any other small hatch.
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024): Infotainment
Happily, the main infotainment system is one of the best of its type. The standard 8.8-inch screen is smaller than some competitors', and the graphics could be a wee bit sharper, but it’s based on BMW’s iDrive operating system, so it’s fantastically easy to use.
It does offer touchscreen functionality, but you won’t bother using it because it’s much easier to scroll through the logically arranged on-screen menus using the rotary dial controller located between the front seats, and there are shortcut buttons to make life even easier.
All versions have DAB radio, sat-nav, Bluetooth and various connected services. However, iPhone-phobes might be rather disgruntled that Apple Carplay is supported, but Android Auto is not. Upgrade to 3 trim and you get a head-up display and wireless phone charging.
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024) value for money
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024): Prices
There are three trim levels for the MINI Electric, all sharing the same motor and performance. First off is the Level 2, which takes over as the base model from the now defunct Level 1 in case you were wondering about the numbering policy. The Level 2 costs from £31,000.
Next in line is the Level 3 model that has a starting price of £34,500 to which most buyers will add some personalisation from MINI’s long list of optional kit. Top of the line in the MINI Electric range is the Resolute Edition, which rings the till at £35,050.
As is usual with MINI, there’s a vast array of options, from paint and body stripes, as well as a Pod home charger for this particular model.
MINI also offers a range of finance options, such as PCP deals. Reckon on a deposit of £4500 for a Level 2 model and monthly payments of £380 spread spread over four years as a typical example.
MINI Electric (2020 – 2024): Running Costs
An 80% charge takes 12 hours on a three-pin domestic socket, a little over three hours on a 7kW wallbox charger, or around half an hour on a 50kW public rapid charger. The cost of using a public charger will depend on its speed, location, and the provider.
For insurance purposes, the Level 2 and Resolute Edition sit in Group 22, while the Level 3 nudges one band higher to reside in Group 23.
Being an EV, you pay no road tax whatsoever, saving private buyers £150 per year, while company car drivers save a whole stack more. Business users will pay Benefit in Kind of 2% in 2023, rising to 5% by the 2027/2028 tax year.
MINI seems to do a decent job on reliability, featuring mid-table in most of the various studies, and because an EV is simpler mechanically than a regular car, it should in theory be more reliable.
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Slightly confusingly, the entry point to the MINI Electric range is the Level 2 trim. It comes with charging cables to suit a three-pin plug and Type 2 public charger. There is also a heat pump for the battery, pre-conditioning, Drive Modes to let the driver choose between economy and fun, and two levels of brake regeneration. You also get LED front and rear lights, Driving Assistant to tell you if you can reach your destination on the at-nav with how much battery charge is left, and the 8.8-inch infotainment screen.
Air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking camera and sensors, front sports seats, and cloth and leatherette upholstery are all part of the Level 2 package. This also includes 17-inch alloy wheels.
Move to Level 3 and you get a different design of 17-inch alloy wheels, along with leather seats, head-up display, panoramic glass sunroof, and front parking sensors. Wireless phone charging and a Harmon Kardon stereo come with the Level 2 as well.
The Resolute Edition has its own 17-inch wheel design, white roof and door mirror caps, and chequered cloth upholstery.
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3845–3876 mm |
| Width | 1928–1933 mm |
| Height | 1414–1432 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2495 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1295–1365 kg |
| Boot Space | 211–731 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / Unlimited miles |
| Servicing | 10000–12000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £28,500–£35,050 |
| Insurance Groups | 23 |
| Road Tax Bands | Exempt |
| Official MPG | - |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
On sale until April 2024
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 135kw Cooper S 1 33kwh Auto 3dr | £28,500 | - | 7.3 s |
| 135kw Cooper S 2 33kwh Auto 3dr | £30,500 | - | 7.3 s |
| 135kw Cooper S 3 33kwh Auto 3dr | £34,500 | - | 7.3 s |
| Cooper S Multitone Edition 184 Electric 32.6kWh Auto 3dr | £33,145 | - | - |
| Cooper S Resolute Edition 184 Electric 32.6kWh Auto 3dr | £34,995 | - | 7.3 s |
On sale until November 2022
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Cooper S Shadow Edition 184 Electric 32.6kWh Auto 3dr | £35,050 | - | 7.3 s |
On sale until April 2022
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Cooper S Collection Edition 32.6 kWh Auto 3dr | £35,050 | - | 7.3 s |
Model History
- July 2019: MINI Electric revealed with 124-mile range
- December 2019
- October 2021: MINI Shadow Edition launched
- February 2022: MINI Resolute Edition announced
- August 2022: MINI Multitone Edition priced from £33,200
July 2019
MINI Electric revealed with 124-mile range
MINI has revealed a pure electric version of its three-door hatch ahead of deliveries starting in March 2020, priced from £24,400.
A 32.6kWh battery pack positioned under the vehicle floor powers an electric motor producing 184PS and 270Nm of torque. As such, it’ll cover 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, while top speed is limited to 93mph.
Under WLTP fuel economy tests, the MINI Electric can cover 124 miles on a single charge. With an unladen weight of 1365kg, the MINI Electric is only 145kgs heavier than the current MINI Cooper S 3-Door with automatic transmission.
MINI claims that a lower centre of gravity than the Cooper S and ‘close to perfect’ weight distribution means the MINI Electric is fun to drive, while a trick dynamic stability control provides excellent traction.
Drivers can select from four drive modes. Sport has meatier steering, Green reduces the throttle response while Green+ takes energy-saving a step further, reducing comfort functions such as the air conditioning to increase the electric range.There’s a new 5.5-inch digital dashboard behind the steering wheel providing details such as speed, the charge of the battery and available range. When connected to a charging station, it can show the outside temperature, available range and charge status.
The MINI Electric comes with home and public charging cables as standard, designed for AC and DC charging using Type 2 and CCS Combo 2 plugs.
A charge level indicator above the car’s socket (where the petrol filler cap would normally be) displays orange for the start of the charge, pulsating yellow during charging and green for a fully-charged battery. At a 50Kw DC fast-charging station it can reach 80 per cent charge in around 35 minutes.
Cosmetic updates to the MINI Electric include an embossed logo on the car’s side scuttles, tailgate and front radiator grille. Special 17-inch MINI Electric two-tone wheels are optional. Boot volume remains at the Hatch’s 211 litres, expanding to 731 litres with the rear seats dropped.
The entry-level MINI Electric starts at £24,400 after the government’s plug-in car grant. The mid-level model is available for £26,400 and adds a cloth/leather-look upholstery, additional exterior body colour and wheel options, as well as adding rear parking sensors, a rear camera and heated seats.
Top-spec models start at £30,400 and feature front parking sensors, Park Assist, a Harmon Kardon sound system and head-up display. It also adds a panoramic sunroof, matrix LEDs and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Wireless phone charging is also included, in addition to leather seats, a choice of five alloy wheels and six exterior body colours.
Orders are being taken from today, with first deliveries in March 2020.
December 2019
Latest fuel and emissions figures for MINI Cooper SE (electric) combined fuel consumption: 0.0 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 16.8 - 14.8 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
October 2021
MINI Shadow Edition launched
Offered exclusively to the UK market, the Shadow Edition comes with a higher standard specification, focuses on blacked out features and edition-exclusive bonnet design and graphics.
The new Shadow Edition has a Midnight Black metallic exterior paint colour, with contrasting Silver roof and mirror caps and Piano Black Exterior, creating a dramatic and streamlined look.
Customers can choose an all-electric powertrain with the MINI Electric, or between Cooper and Cooper S engines, in both manual and automatic transmission on the MINI Hatch and MINI Convertible models
The Shadow Edition for MINI Hatch and Convertible is based on the Sport trim level, including 18” John Cooper Works Course Spoke alloy wheels, Silver roof and mirror caps, John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit including John Cooper Works spoiler, and LED front and rear lights.
The MINI Electric Shadow Edition is based on the Level 3 model and comes with 17” Tentacle Spoke alloy wheels as standard, alongside Piano Black Exterior and Midnight Black metallic roof and mirror caps.
All models benefit from special edition graphics on the bonnet, integrated scuttle trim and the A-panel, while MINI Hatch also includes the Shadow logo on the lower roof.
Inside, the Shadow Edition has Anthracite headlining and a Piano Black trim with both the dash trim and tread plates also featuring special graphics. John Cooper Works sport seats and a sports leather steering wheel with contrast stitching in Chili Red complete the interior design.
Continuing the high standard specification, the Shadow Edition comes equipped with an 8.8” infotainment screen with MINI Connected, Bluetooth with USB audio, Rain sensor and automatic headlight activation, LED headlights and rear lights and Intelligent emergency calling (E-Call). Comfort Pack, Comfort Plus Pack and Navigation Plus Pack, which includes Wireless Charging and Head Up Display, are all optional.
Offered exclusively to the UK market, the Shadow Edition comes with a higher standard specification, focuses on blacked out features and edition-exclusive bonnet design and graphics.
|
|
Manual |
Automatic |
|
MINI 3-Door Hatch Shadow Edition |
From £22,340 |
From £23,740 |
|
MINI 5-Door Hatch Shadow Edition |
From £23,040 |
From £24,440 |
|
MINI Convertible Shadow Edition |
From £25,600 |
From £27,000 |
|
MINI Electric Shadow Edition |
N/A |
£35,050 (inc.PiCG) |
February 2022
MINI Resolute Edition announced
The MINI Resolute Edition is now available to order on the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric, MINI 5-Door Hatch and MINI Convertible models.
Customers can tailor each new MINI edition to suit their personal needs and requirements, combining them with the available Comfort, Driver Assistance and Navigation equipment packages. Individual options such as Steptronic sport transmission, adaptive chassis, Harman Kardon HiFi speaker system or the panoramic glass roof can also be specified on the different models.
The MINI Resolute Edition's exclusive design features make up a carefully crafted package for premium exterior and interior style. They also tie in particularly harmoniously with the clear and purist MINI design language and reinforce the hallmark characteristics of the small MINI models.
On the exterior the edition has a traditional-style colour scheme in Rebel Green, previously available exclusively on the sportiest John Cooper Works models, combined with a Pepper White roof finish and exterior mirror caps on the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric and MINI 5-Door Hatch. On the MINI Convertible Resolute Edition, the soft top and exterior mirror caps are finished in black. All chrome elements are removed on the outside, which will be standard on future MINI models.
Hallmark design features are finished in exclusive Resolute Bronze. This includes the headlight surrounds, radiator grille, rear lights, side scuttles, door handles and tailgate. On the MINI Cooper S, the air intakes in the front apron and the fuel cap are also bronze. The brand logos and model lettering provide a Piano Black contrast across all models. On the MINI Cooper S, the inner frame of the radiator grille, tailpipe trim and horizontal radiator grille strut are also Piano Black. On the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric and MINI 5-Door Hatch, there is also a Black Waistline Finisher that runs along the lower edge of the windows.
The bonnet stripes and door sill panels of the edition vehicle feature a pattern of parallel lines with a gold colour gradient and the lettering "RESOLUTE". The subtle sporty appearance of the edition is completed with 18-inch alloy wheels in the Pulse Spoke Black design. The MINI Electric features 17-inch alloy wheels in Electric Collection Spoke design. 17-inch alloy wheels in Tentacle Spoke Black design are also offered across all models.
The exclusive interior of the Resolute Edition models is enhanced by sports seats in Black Pearl / Light Chequered fabric/leatherette, which are combined with black armrests and knee rolls. This colour scheme harmonises with the Rebel Green paint finish and the black and gold exterior design features. The MINI Yours Leather Lounge option is available on request in Carbon Black with striking stitching and piping and a perforated Union Jack motif on the headrests. The Nappa sports leather steering wheel has an edition emblem on the lower spoke, and the roofliner of the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric and MINI 5-Door Hatch is in anthracite.
The interior surfaces on the Resolute Edition emphasise the cars’ premium style. Parallel and evenly curved lines in a light shade of gold form a pinstripe pattern on the black background of the surfaces, reflecting the pattern of the bonnet stripes. These design features are highlighted with interior LED lighting and the Ambient Light package, which has a laser-engraved ring around the central instrument, light piping in the doors and cockpit area and illuminated door handles and door entry. The MINI Driving Modes are also included as part of the edition equipment package.
The classic sporty flair of the colours and materials on the interior is combined with advanced digital technology. The latest generation of the MINI operating system optimises the quick and intuitive control of vehicle functions, audio programme, communication, navigation and apps. Live widgets on the 8.-inch touch display of the central instrument are used to activate each menu item, which can be selected by swiping.
|
MINI 3-Door Hatch |
From £22,040 RRP |
|
MINI Electric |
From £34,470 RRP |
|
MINI 5-Door Hatch |
From £22,690 RRP |
|
MINI Convertible |
From £25,300 RRP |
August 2022
MINI Multitone Edition priced from £33,200
MINI has launched a brand-new limited edition for the MINI Electric; the Multitone Edition, with exclusive designs on both the exterior and interior of the car.
Limited to just 200 examples in the UK, the MINI Multitone Edition is offered with an edition-exclusive multitone roof design. Extending from the windscreen frame to the rear across the entire roof, the gradient starts with Aspen White before transitioning through the subdued grey shade of Melting Silver II then finishing in Jet Black. The unique look created by this colour gradient is complemented in the MINI Multitone Edition by an abstract, white rainbow on the roof, which is also featured throughout the design of the special edition.
This special look is made possible by the innovative wet-on-wet painting process used by the British MINI plant in Oxford. With this Spray Tech paint finish, the three colour shades are applied directly one after the other. Due to changing environmental conditions, deviations in the colour pattern may occur, making each MINI Multitone Edition vehicle unique.
Offered on MINI Electric for the first time, the new MINI Multitone Edition is presented exclusively in Sage Green Metallic, which has previously only been available on the MINI Countryman.
The black or chrome trims surrounding the headlights and MINI badge have been replaced and are offered for the first time in White alongside 17” Scissor Spoke 2-tone wheels.
On the exterior of the vehicle, a graphic rainbow motif made up of Indian Summer Red and Sage Green colours can be found on the C-Pillar with matching-coloured designs also found on the side scuttle and door sills, and exclusive self-levelling wheel caps in a two-tone design.
These motifs continue into the interior of the vehicle, where logos can be found on the sun visor, floor mats, cockpit facia and steering wheel. Customers of the MINI Multitone Edition will also receive a 3D printed key car in Sage Green.
The MINI Multitone Edition is offered to market as a MINI Electric Level 2, featuring front heated seating, automatic dual zone air conditioning, sports leather steering wheel and sports seats as standard. Also standard is a 8.8” centre display screen, Apple CarPlay, MINI Navigation system, cruise control, MINI Driving Modes, rain senior with automatic headlight activation, rear view camera and rear park distance control.
The new MINI Electric Multitone Edition is limited to just 200 units in the UK and available to order from retailers nationwide, priced at £33,200 OTR.
