Electric MINI Perfection, Short Circuited
Is it possible to review an electric car without resorting to at least one low effort pun? No. The MINI was born out of necessity to be a compact, practical, city slicker. Electric cars thrive in the stop-and-go conditions urban driving present. Naturally, an electric MINI should be the perfect solution…shouldn’t it?
The Cooper S E is MINI’s first all-electric effort. The company claims just over 180km of range on a full charge, driven by the same 181 hp electric motor lifted from BMW’s funky i3s. As with all electric cars, torque is available immediately and gives the car an immediacy that makes it feel much faster than it really is. It may take over 7 seconds to reach 100 km/h, but it sure feels faster. The spaceship-like hum of the motor, paired with the eerie quiet from the lack of internal combustion is a little surreal at first, and even after years of evaluating electric vehicles, it’s not something we’ve gotten tired of.
Unlike other electric or hybrid options on the market, the MINI’s battery pack is laid out in such a way that you will not lose any additional cargo space. Paired with the squared off back end and folding seats in the second row, you’ll be able to fit exactly the same amount of cargo as a standard gasoline MINI. The battery pack also lowers the centre of gravity, making this little Cooper a genuine joy to drive. Some amount of torque steer is present, largely due to the instant torque delivery under hard acceleration, but I found it fun to grapple with in the bends. Newer EV drivers will be surprised at how punchy these vehicles can be! The S E, like other EV’s, features regenerative braking. You can adjust between two intensities – the more aggressive being the default. With such a small battery capacity, it does make a notable difference in your range when used frequently. It’s not as hard as other EV’s like Chevrolet’s Bolt, but you can still get a quasi-one-pedal-driving experience going.
Inside, the S E is a far cry from the spartan origins of MINI. Our tester looked quite luxe with its diamond-stitched Satellite Grey leather interior. It’s really more of a white/creamy shade and seriously looks very elegant, contrasting nicely with the sportier Moonwalk Grey exterior, complete with yellow/lime accents on the mirror caps and badging. We’d recommend amping up the funk even further with the optional 17” Power Spoke 2-tone wheels as well for some extra electric charm. The interior is pretty standard MINI fare. It’s functional, easy to use and rife with retro charm and character. The toggle-like switches for functions like the ignition and drive modes are a welcome touch. With only the most non-intrusive air of road noise coming through, the Cooper SE is a delightful place to be. The large windows feel airy, roomy and downright pleasant. Unless you’re in the back seats, of course.
So, it’s practical, charming, pleasant, and fun to drive. But not without faults. The biggest of which is the range. Range anxiety is very real, and the claimed 180+ km you are allotted on a full charge is rarely what you’ll actually get in real-world driving conditions. That number will be made even worse in a Canadian winter. Aggressive driving, using climate control, the weather, your route, highway use, tire type, and other factors will impact your total range. Not to mention, Canada’s lack of infrastructure for electric and hybrid vehicles. There are certainly an increasing number of chargers and incentives coming by the year, but for downtown residents like myself who live in condos, access to a charging point isn’t always so simple. The downside of the small battery is also an advantage in a way. It means your charging time is significantly reduced compared to higher capacity competitors like the Nissan LEAF or the Chevy Bolt. A 240v charger should do the job in about 4 hours, while a fast charger should get you to 80% in about 35 minutes.
The other drawback comes in the cost. At its lowest trim level, the Cooper SE clocks in at just under $41,000. Our range-topping tester had a price tag of over $49,000. Some provinces, like B.C., Quebec and Nova Scotia, do offer EV incentives to help lessen that blow. Compared to the aforementioned competitors however, the MINI has a more premium feel. In some EV’s and hybrids, cost-cutting measures are quite clear. In the MINI, that’s not the case. It feels plush, rewarding and quality.
MINI appears to be playing it safe with this first electrified effort. But we hope they continue. EV’s becoming the norm feels all but inevitable, and we think the Cooper S E and other electric efforts from MINI and BMW alike will only continue to improve.
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