The MINI brand’s iconic 2-door hatchback entered its fifth generation in 2023 with the second installation of the EV. This week, we had the chance to get up close with the new all-electric hatchback that’s manufactured exclusively in China, and exported globally. As we explain at the end of the article, it’s unlikely to arrive in the U.S. anytime soon, but here’s what we experienced.
Design
The second-gen MINI Cooper electric maintains its predecessor’s much-loved charm, as well as the street-friendly dimensions. The hood is lower and the face is tapered inward, and the former doesn’t have an air scoop, lending the car a cleaner look. This is the first MINI without the clamshell hood since the BMW Group revived the brand in 2001.
The signature circular headlamps feature not only the familiar round DRL at the edge but also two slanted horizontal light strips inside. The new octagonal grille isn’t in chrome finish, as MINI is avoiding chrome usage entirely beginning with the new electric hatchback. The new bumper doesn’t have side air inlets, which add to the car’s clean look.
The side profile is nearly identical, but it looks cleaner as there are flush-fitted door handles instead of pull-type door handles and no wheel arch moldings. Also, note how there are no side scuttles either. The oblong door mirrors look a bit weird in our opinion and don’t offer an appealing upgrade over the first-gen model’s units.
The all-new electric MINI’s rear-end makes it instantly recognizable from a distance, thanks to newly designed tail lamps that are slimmer and almost triangular. A thick trim strip runs across the width of the tailgate and connects the tail lamps.
After closely inspecting the exterior, three things stood out: the familiar front-end that doesn’t scream EV, rally-style wheels, and the new tail lamps. I miss the older taillamps, as the sharply angled new ones look odd and don’t align with the circular headlights.
Interior
The interior of the MINI Cooper electric has a layout that is familiar to MINI owners, but with big design changes. MINI has adopted a minimalistic approach and given the car a sleek, clean, and upmarket feel. This should particularly benefit tech-savvy customers, as we expect more controls to go digital.
Dashboard
The dashboard has less volume and features a concave surface in the upper section. An ultra-wide strip of AC vents on the passenger side underlines the low-profile and slim look of this panel. Built-in backlighting on the driver and passenger side emphasizes the car’s high-tech nature. The ambient light system produces a subdued glow through the lower part of the dashboard, and also from behind the door speakers and below the door armrests.
The door handles have a new, capsule-like shape now rectangular, which makes them look more compact than the first-gen car’s circular door handles, in line with the new less is more theme of the cabin.
The center stack houses toggle switches to select the gear and Experience modes and a few other physical controls. Below it, there’s a smartphone deck with two USB Type-C ports. There’s no instrument cluster in the car, just a wide head-up display. A floating touchscreen in the shape of a makeup mirror is the center point of the interior.
Display
The central display is a round OLED unit measuring 240 mm (9.5 in.) diagonally. It combines the functions of the instrument cluster, on-board monitor, infotainment system, and climate control system. It features a cleaner and more 3D-look user interface. The round frame makes sense now, as the whole area is used for the display and isn’t just a piece of decor, unlike in the first-gen model.
The temperature of both the climate zones (FL and FR) are shown at the edge on the respective sides. Spike, an English Bulldog mascot, makes using the infotainment fun, serving as an interactive personal assistant, similar to Nio’s NOMI system, but without a dedicated electronic display.
An Experience toggle switch allows customers to set the layout of the central display from Core, Green, Balance, Timeless, and Personal modes. The Personal mode gives them the ability to set a personal background picture, just like setting a wallpaper on a smartphone. Another interior highlight is a feature called ‘MINI Sounds,’ which includes driving sounds, jingles for the Experience modes, and 30 new sound signals for information and warning functions.
A card-like compact menu at the bottom lets the driver select climate control, navigation, phone call, and other functions. It includes a home button as well. The top of the display presents critical driving information, including the speed, speed limit, gear, and remaining range, and that stays switched on, even when another primary function dominates the display.
My experience in the new Cooper SE
I’m 5’7, and the Cooper’s low roofline made getting in and out a bit awkward. I had to duck, and my head still touched the cantrail.
From the driver’s seat, visibility was great. Large mirrors help. The chunky, manually adjustable steering wheel felt solid. I liked the low seat and how the footwell dips near the pedals. My head was about five inches below the headliner. Lumbar support was great, and under-thigh support was decent.
Material quality felt good overall. Some areas could use upgrades in future models. I liked the fabric trims, the steering wheel, and the physical controls. A HUD was present, but I missed an instrument cluster. The infotainment was easy to use and maps worked fast.
In the second row, behind a seat set for a 5’7 adult, leg and knee room were good. The backrest felt too upright, and it couldn’t recline. Under-thigh support was average. I had about three inches of headroom. Rear passengers get one cupholder in the center—usable, but two would be better. No rear AC vents, which doesn’t really matter for a car of this size.
Specifications
Underpinning the MINI Cooper is a dedicated EV platform co-developed with China’s Great Wall Motor. Thanks to the bespoke platform, it can offer more interior space in a smaller exterior compared to the first-gen model.
| Aspect | MINI Cooper E | MINI Cooper SE |
| Battery Pack Capacity | 40.7 kWh | 54.2 kWh |
| Power | 135 kW (181 hp) | 160 kW (214 hp) |
| Torque | 290 Nm (214 lb.-ft.) | 330 Nm (243 lb.-ft.) |
| 0-62 mph Acceleration Time | 7.3 seconds | 6.7 seconds |
| Max. AC Charging Power | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Lowest AC Charging Time (10-80%) | 5.75 hours | 7.75 hours |
| Max. DC Charging Power | 75 kW | 95 kW |
| Lowest DC Charging Time (10-80% SoC) | 28 minutes | 30 minutes |
| WLTP Range (Combined) | 298 km (185 mi) | 398 km (247 mi) |
TopElectricSUV says
The MINI Electric successor is based on a dedicated EV platform, ensuring significantly more efficient performance and packaging. It builds on the success of the MINI Electric while addressing its primary drawback – limited range. Due to the 100% U.S. import tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles, don’t expect the second-gen model stateside anytime soon.
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
