MINI Cooper SE: we test drove the first electric MINI... and it's going to surprise you!

Around 200 km of pure fun between battery charges. That’s what MINI offers with its first electric car, the MINI Cooper SE. In fact, it promises a range of between 235 and 270 km on the WLTP cycle, depending on use. And if you do a lot of city driving, you can easily reach 250 real-world km.

But with a winding road ahead, or if you let yourself be carried away by the sensations the MINI delivers when you drive it… you know what happens to the range of electric cars. Especially in a car like the MINI Cooper SE, which “invites” you to always wear your biggest smile.

What I mean by this is that you can be sure of one thing: this is a genuine MINI. A car with the dynamism and the feel of the petrol Cooper S with 192 CV, but which moves silently and without burning any fuel. And the sensations when you press the accelerator have no equivalent in any other model in the range, not even in much more powerful sports cars.

Without a doubt, this MINI is one of the best options if you’re looking for a fun and different electric car, alongside the new Honda e and the BMW i3 S. The Opel Corsa-e and the Peugeot e-208 are cheaper, but also less powerful and have a more practical approach. Here’s a video for you.

https://youtu.be/f7lKkMGvRJg

Exclusive details of the MINI Cooper SE

On the outside, the MINI Cooper SE stands out thanks to some decorative elements specific to this version. In addition to the raised “MINI Electric” logo, the front grille is faired, and there is a yellow decorative line that is also present on the mirror housings. Above the rear right wheel sits the charging port, where on other MINIs you’d find the flap that gives access to the fuel filler neck.

The design of the rear spoiler and the faired underbody have been modified to improve aerodynamics. A very eye-catching distinguishing detail is the wheels, also optimised to reduce aerodynamic drag, but with an asymmetric design, which is quite unusual.

Inside, the Cooper SE comes as standard with digital instrumentation featuring a 5.5-inch screen behind and integrated with the steering wheel. It offers a wide range of information, from the selected driving mode to the state of charge or the operation of the driver assistance systems.

This is complemented by the multimedia system screen, which is 6.5 inches as standard or almost 9 inches if you fit the Plus navigation system. Thanks to a data connection via an integrated SIM card in the car, it offers features such as displaying the range radius on the map based on the remaining battery, as well as charging points.

Motor, battery and charging of the MINI Cooper SE

According to the brand, the MINI platform was already designed from the outset to be fully electrified. In the engine bay there’s no problem: the Cooper SE’s electric motor, together with the control unit and transmission, takes up less space than a combustion engine.

It produces 184 CV, allowing the Cooper SE to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. For reference, the petrol Cooper S does it in 6.7, although believe me when I tell you that, behind the wheel, the SE feels like it accelerates more… and better. Weight undoubtedly influences the acceleration figure: the electric version weighs 145 kg more than the Cooper S with automatic gearbox. But the key is that the maximum torque of 270 Nm is available from the very moment you set off.

And that means the sensation of thrust is almost instantaneous and very rewarding in the Cooper SE, especially in the sportiest driving mode. You can choose between four, Sport, MID, Green and Green+, using a button on the centre console. The first is geared towards a sportier response, the second towards comfort, and the last two towards efficiency, with Green+ even disconnecting comfort features such as air conditioning to achieve the maximum range.

As for the battery, it is T-shaped and fits along the vehicle floor using the central tunnel, so it does not affect interior space or boot capacity, which is the same as the rest of the range. Its gross capacity is 32.6 kWh, which allows a homologated range of 235 km.

It can be charged from a domestic socket with the cable included as standard, and optionally a cable for three-phase public charging points is available. Mini also offers an optional Wallbox that allows charging up to 80% in about two and a half hours, and up to 100% in three and a half hours, with 11 kW of power.

On the road with the MINI Cooper SE

If the MINI Cooper is already a car that conveys a sense of agility, in the Cooper SE this quality is multiplied.

Ground clearance is almost 2 cm higher than the Cooper S to make room for the batteries, but the centre of gravity is lower due to the weight and the position of the batteries. The suspension is firm but not uncomfortable, and the steering is extremely quick. The result is a car that feels reminiscent of a go-kart. How quick and direct the steering is, together with the immediacy of the engine’s response, makes the MINI Cooper SE the king of the city.

I also got to drive the Cooper SE on a stretch of motorway and some kilometres of country road. And I dare say it has nothing to envy from the Cooper S. If anything, the engine noise when you drive sportily. But you’ll appreciate its absence in all other driving situations more than you’d miss it on the occasional bend.

The stability control has a special calibration so that the instant delivery of torque is not a problem when transferring power to the road. And you notice it. Other front-wheel-drive electric cars we have recently tested, such as the Hyundai Kona EV, showed traction issues when accelerating hard out of corners or while taking tight bends. But in the Mini, an integrated traction control system handles this well, with benefits for stability and, probably, also for the life of the tyres.

One particular feature of the Cooper SE is the energy recovery system, with two operating modes: strong or low. When you start the car, the highest recovery strategy is always activated by default. In this mode, the “one pedal” function allows strong deceleration without touching the brake, simply by lifting off the accelerator.

Once the initial adaptation phase is over, it’s easy to take advantage of its benefits, although I think it would be even more useful if switching between maximum retention and the normal level could be done directly from a control or paddles on the steering wheel, instead of a switch on the centre console.

Versions, equipment and price of the MINI Cooper SE

The starting price of the MINI Cooper SE for the Spanish market is 33,950 euros, corresponding to the entry-level version called S. Its equipment includes the fast charging adapter (AC/DC), 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, rain sensor, LED headlights, navigation, alarm and leather multifunction steering wheel, as the most notable features.

Would you say it’s expensive? Well, make a note: it’s about 2,000 euros more than the Cooper S with automatic gearbox. And remember, you get the same driving fun with all the advantages of the DGT’s CERO label… and the only “but” is having to rely on a plug and manage the charging.

The version with M trim costs 36,500 euros and adds to the S versions’ equipment comfort access, folding exterior mirrors, anti-dazzle interior mirror, rear parking sensor, reversing camera, driving assistant, 17-inch wheels and black-style interior trim.

At a price of 39,000 euros, the M trim adds two-tone wheels, leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlights, front parking sensor and “Electric” style interior decoration. The XL trim adds a panoramic roof to the above, at an extra cost of 2,000 euros.

MINI Cooper SE image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

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