Review: Mini Cooper SE
What is it?
The arrival of any new Mini is a big deal. It’s a car brand with enormous presence here in the UK, thanks mainly to its ability to combine retro-inspired looks with genuinely good materials and a solid build quality. Now Mini has, previously, made attempts at an EV - and while the old Mini Electric sure was loveable, it didn’t offer a range which was all that useable for most drivers.
This car - the new Mini Cooper - aims to address that. It’s based on a brand-new platform and, as well as more range than before, has some of the latest tech available alongside plenty of cool new features. We’ve been driving it to see what it’s like.
What’s new?
As mentioned, this latest Mini sits atop a new platform. While we’re looking at the electric version today, there will be more traditional petrol-powered options available, though these versions sit on the ‘old’ platform of the Mini Hatch which came before it. The two still look similar, too, though the petrol versions get a number of the older features, such as plastic wheelarch mouldings and chrome handles.
This electric Mini is actually slightly shorter than the car which preceded it, yet somewhat taller to help boost interior space a touch. Inside, Mini has included a variety of driver modes which, in classic Mini fashion, have some quite out-there designs. ‘Go-kart’ mode, for example, is accomponied by a cartoonish ‘woo-hoo’ every time you select it, for instance.
What’s under the bonnet?
The electric Mini Cooper is going to be available in two specifications. The entry-level E brings a range of up to 190 miles, while the more powerful SE - which we’re driving today - upps that to 249 miles. A total output of 215bhp on the SE means that it’ll manage the 0-60mph sprint in just 6.5 seconds, which is only a fraction slower than the petrol-powered Cooper S.
Mini says that a maxiumum charging speed of 95kW will enable a 10 to 80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes, while a full top-up at a home 7kW charger will take around five hours. Just bear in mind, however, that the entry-level E version gets a slightly lower maximum charge rate of 75kW.
What’s it like to drive?
There’s always been a certain level of ‘fun’ at the heart of the Mini driving experience and it’s good that this is still present here. This isn’t a lightweight car anymore at around 1.7 tonnes, but the Cooper does a superb job of disguising its weight overall. There’s plenty of grip through the bends while the immediate delivery of torque helps the whole car to feel urgent and ready-to-go. Mini has engineered a variety of sounds that accompany the car’s acceleration to make it sound a little futuristic but, thankfully, if you’re not a fan then you can switch them off entirely.
It feels like a relatively wide car from behind the wheel, mind you, though its compact length means it’ll be a doddle to park or live with in general. There’s some nice weight to the steering, too, though it does feel overly laden as to make the whole car feel sluggish or heavy. It’s a good middle ground, in truth.
How does it look?
Thankfully this new Cooper hasn’t lost any of its ‘Mini-ness’ and, particularly from the front end, looks a lot like the car which came before it. There’s an altogether more aerodynamic approach to styling, however, with the car’s front grille being made more flush than it was before. You might notice that the Cooper ditches any kind of chrome accents, too, which is something Mini will be applying to much of its range.
It’s around the back where things have taken the biggest switch. The sharp new rear lights are a fresh take on the usual Mini design and you’re able to customise the LED pattern too via the in-car screen. It’s quite nice to see Mini pushing things a little in the styling department rather than playing it safe.
What’s it like inside?
Previous Mini cars have always excelled when it came to in-car quality and this model is no different. It’s made in China at present - before production continues at the firm’s plant in Oxford in a few years - but there’s no discernible drop in quality. Everything feels well screwed together and built to last, while the EV-focused platform means that there’s a lot of storage space on offer for such a small car.
There are ISOFIX points for the rear seats, though getting child seats into the back will prove quite the challenge due to the small gap between the seats and the door frame. Thankfully, all Mini Coopers come with a standard ISOFIX mounting point for the front seats, which will make putting child seats inside an awful lot easier.
What’s the spec like?
Prices for the Mini Cooper electric start from £30,000 for the standard ‘E’ and even at this entry level you’re getting a top level of technology. At the centre of it all is the eye-catching OLED display which is almost unbelievably thin but it’s packed full of features and is really easy to operate. It can feel a bit cluttered with readouts, however, but you can toggle through the different modes and find one which works for you.
There are different trim levels to choose from, too. Classic, Exclusive and Sport allow you to chop and change between different looks and interior trims. Classic, as you may expect comes in with more traditional silver badges while Sport takes some John Cooper Works-inspired touches such as more intricate alloy wheels.
Verdict
The Mini has always been fun at heart and, thankfully, that’s just the case with this new one. There’s lots to like about this new Cooper; it’s got a far more useful range than before while its interior strikes a good balance between the latest technology and old-school fit-and-finish.
While it can get pricey if you go through the options list with abandon, at its lower-cost level this Mini makes a great deal of sense - and it’s got bundles of character to go with it.
