To make a successful electric hatchback, MINI had to stay true to its roots, which means proper driving dynamics – and they have. It’s called the Cooper SE and it’s reportedly very engaging.
The nimble handling and stiff suspension allow it to tackle corners quite fast, so it’s a nice alternative to the more mainstream electric cars in the segment, such as the Renault Zoe or the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa-e and Peugeot e-208 siblings.
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Mind you, despite the go-kart feel, it’s by no means a super hot hatch, but rather a warm one. The electric motor that feeds the front wheels through a transmission with a single-stage setup and integrated differential produces 184 PS (181 HP / 135 kW) and 270 Nm (200 lb-ft) of torque. This translates into a swift 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 7.3 seconds, but only 150 km/h (93 mph) top speed.
Unless you want it to stand out, it won’t, as most of the exterior add-ons are options. It does feature a closed grille and special badges, and retains the overall interior layout of its ICE-powered siblings, albeit with a few upgrades, such as the digital dials. Lesser models are offered with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, while upper specs come with an 8.8-inch screen. Wireless charging pad, sat-nav, smartphone integration, dual-zone climate control and others are included.
One of the biggest downsides to getting the Cooper SE instead of other zero-emission subcompact hatchbacks is the range. It can only travel between 235 and 270 km (146-168 miles) on a single charge, but at least the 32.6 kWh battery supports fast charging and can be filled from 0 to 80 percent in 35 minutes. The car is only offered as a 3-door, so rear passengers will have to struggle a bit to get in and out, and the cargo capacity is not that good either.
So, if you were shopping for a small EV, would you go for the more practical alternatives, with better range and more space at the back that lack the fun factor, or the MINI that still needs refinement? Let us know what you think after watching the video review down below.