Review of the MINI Electric Cooper

The Mini Cooper Electric is an electric hatchback that's great for a small family or as a city runaround. It has compact dimensions, an ultra-modern exterior, and up to 249 miles of electric range. 

Rivals to the Cooper Electric include the MG4 EV, Fiat 500 Electric, Vauxhall Corsa Electric, and Peugeot e-208. 

Our Mini Electric Cooper review covers:

• Stylish exterior 
• Minimalist interior that's full of tech
• 210-litre boot
• Two electric powertrains 
• Three trim levels 

Pros:

• Great to drive around town and on a country lane
• Brilliant technology 
• Lots of fun

Cons:

• Not as practical as its rivals 
• Not great on longer journeys 
• Rear space is on the small side 

Although the Mini Cooper Electric is the embodiment of a modern car, it remains true to its roots with its exterior. At the front, there are round headlights and a clean front grille, the alloy wheels are a bit funky, and the rear lights boast a new triangular design that looks fantastic. 

You don't get a Mini for its practicality, but here, the Cooper Electric is a nice surprise. Thanks to the ridiculously minimalist dashboard design, front passengers have plenty of head and legroom to get comfortable. Unsurprisingly, things are a little tighter in the rear, and it's much more suited to two passengers rather than three. 

Space is of the essence inside the Cooper Electric so you only get a 210-litre boot. This is one of the smallest for an electric city car and falls short of the MG4 EV and Peugeot e-208. You can drop the 60/40 split rear seats to increase cargo space to 800 litres, ideal for a weekend getaway or large food shop. 

If you like minimalist designs, the Cooper Electric is the car for you. They've taken it to a whole new level with a very simple design focused on the circular infotainment display. Still, it's a nice interior and features a range of materials, like knitted fabric on the dashboard. 

The interior's focal point is the 240mm circular OLED display, which looks incredibly futuristic. I like that it serves as both the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment display, the latter of which features all the tech you'd ever need. It's certainly one of the most advanced systems around and is way ahead of the Fiat 500 Electric. 

Three trims are available for the Cooper Electric: Classic, Exclusive and Sport. 

Classic comes with a 3D-knitted textile interior, Vescin leather seats, a three-spoke sports steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting, and adaptive cruise control. 

Exclusive has a dashboard made from recycled fabric, detailed stitching on the upholstery, and an optional contrast roof.

Sport has its own front and rear end design, sports seats, a black and red colour scheme, a sports steering wheel, and vibrant silver accents with red stitching. 

There are two powertrains available for the Cooper Electric: E and SE. Both have front-wheel drive and a one-speed automatic transmission. 

The entry-level E combines a 135hp electric motor with a 36.6kWh battery to return up to 188 miles of range. It shoots from 0 to 62mph in 7.3 seconds and tops out at 99mph. 

The SE version adds a bit more power into the mix. Combining a 160hp electric motor with a 49.2kWh battery, it returns up to 249 miles of range and shoots from 0 to 62mph in just under seven seconds. 

When it comes to driving, the Cooper Electric really shines. Around town, it's straightforward to drive thanks to its small dimensions and accurate handling. As you can drive using one pedal, you can come to a stop by simply lifting your foot off the pedal. 

On the motorway, the Cooper Electric has no issues reaching cruising speed, but once there, it feels like it's maxed out. There's a fair bit of road and wind noise on longer journeys, and the range of around 200 miles (depending on the battery) means you'll probably be charging quite regularly. 

On a country lane is where the Cooper Electric stands out. There's plenty of grip when cornering, and the swift acceleration makes it great fun. It feels more like a hot hatchback than an electric city car, which can't be said for the Peugeot e-208 or Fiat 500 Electric. 

Prices for the new Mini Cooper Electric start from £29,420.00 OTR* or to lease from £320.29 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Mini Cooper Electric? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.