The new Mini Cooper SE is recognizable at a glance, even if the model has evolved significantly in terms of style since the first generation. On the other hand, we don’t necessarily suspect that, behind the appearances, everything has changed. We tested it and it reconciled us with the model.

Despite its high price and limited performance, the first generation of the electric Mini Cooper was able to seduce the French public. Can the new generation do as well? We hope so. The competition has since stepped up its game a little, but the new Mini remains a Mini with a unique charm. It has that little something extra that makes us fall in love with it.

The manufacturer invited us to try out the Cooper SE version during a press test in June 2024. During this test, we covered more than 730 km in two days, including a good part on the highway. On reflection, it is one of the electric cars that we appreciated the most in 2024, despite a few flaws.

Mini Cooper SE exterior design: still so cute!

It remains recognizable at first glance, but this Mini Cooper has evolved a lot. The car has completely changed platform (from the partnership with Great Wall Motor), and this is not just a cosmetic facelift. Nevertheless, despite this profound change, the size of the car remains quite similar to the old one with: 1 cm more in length (3.85 m), 3 cm more in width (1.97 m with mirrors) and 3 cm more in height (1.46 cm).

While the front of the model retains the same spirit as on the old one, despite the change in light signature, it is the rear that seduced us less. We struggle to get used to the aesthetics brought by the black strip (with the Cooper inscription) and the new lights. Perhaps it is just a natural reluctance to change.

Interior style: a real facelift

Without altering what made it charming in the past, Mini has sought to reinterpret the interior of the model. The key element of this transformation is the round OLED screen provided by Samsung. It makes a small impact when you sit on board.

This is not the only element that caught our eye in this car. There is also the steering wheel, the seats of the SE version and the material (fabric-like) used to cover the dashboard. The whole thing brings a bit of novelty to an increasingly sanitized automotive world, apart from a few models, such as the Renault 5.

The rear seats and the trunk are still not the strong point of this model. All this lacks space, but after all, we rarely buy a Mini Cooper to move an entire family with luggage.

Engine & behavior: perfectible, but already good

The Cooper SE of our test is equipped with a 160 kW (218 hp) engine that provides the necessary responsiveness. Moreover, 0 to 100 km/h is done in 6.7 seconds, which is more than enough to make a few cannon starts at the lights. However, we are not going to summarize the Mini Cooper to that, because it is much more than a small city car, especially in this version.

On small country roads, the model also brings a lot of pleasure. It is certainly agile, and you can commit to overtaking without fear of lacking power. Of course, like any self-respecting Mini, the suspensions are firm. This is not necessarily the model that we would recommend to someone who suffers from back problems.

On a few points, we have to admit that we expected a little better from Mini: the turning radius and the steering. Both are good, but not better than the competition. There is also a slightly strange feeling when you put your foot down, the car has trouble putting all the torque on the ground, so it is better to hold the steering wheel firmly. Overall, we still have a lot of fun driving it, including when we pick up the pace.

It is on motorway journeys that the new electric Mini Cooper surprised us the most. This is really an area in which we do not expect anything really exceptional from a mini city car – especially since the old one was really not cut out for the exercise. However, it turns out to be comfortable enough to rack up the miles. Driving aids also provide comfort of use.

Concerning regenerative braking, one-pedal driving can be set to different intensity modes in order to adapt your driving to

depending on the conditions and traffic.

It is much more versatile than before, mainly in its SE version. This is certainly a little less true with an entry-level Mini Cooper E version and a 36.6 kWh battery.

On-board technologies: screen ergonomics to be improved

It is difficult to test all the driving aids and all the technological gadgets for 24 hours. The new Mini Cooper is full of menus and sub-menus, to personalize the experience. The problem is that it is easy to get lost. Regular drivers of the model must master the environment after a few weeks of daily use.

Another driving mode, another atmosphere // Source: Raphaelle Baut for Numerama

The shape of the screen, whether round or square, has little impact on the user experience. It is an aesthetic choice, more than a practical one. On the other hand, the head-up display option is really useful for more easily following your driving speed (and GPS directions), rather than looking at the central screen. Finally, the different driving modes that also personalize the sound ambiance of the car are original, but this is not really what stands out the most during the test. The “Go Kart” mode, although original, can quickly tire after a few tests.

Autonomy & charging: a beautiful sobriety

The Mini Cooper SE has a 49.2 kWh battery, which allows for more versatility in use than with the old model. One of the main flaws of the old generation was its consumption, which was far too high for a small city car. On this, Mini has revised its copy: it is not the most frugal, but it does much better.

Consumption after 730 km of testing the Mini Cooper SE // Source: Raphaelle Baut for Numerama

The consumption displayed for our big loop was rather a pleasant surprise. With 14 kWh/100 km for 300 km of travel mainly on secondary roads, it is good enough, even if it could be better. And despite returning from Étretat by motorway and traffic jams in the Paris region, the average consumption only climbed to 15.1 kWh/100 km for these 730 km. An average consumption on the motorway of less than 20 kWh/100 km, that has become a rare commodity. Overall, consumption apparently remains contained, even if the test conditions were quite favorable.

On the charging side, the Mini Cooper SE indicates a direct current recharge of up to 95 kW, or 10 to 80% in around thirty minutes. It has been observed that it could even exceed 100 kW. The charging curve also appears quite stable. Even if the charging powers announced are not the best, this is not a real flaw of the model.

Note that the Mini Cooper SE is equipped with Plug & Charge, which allows it to be recharged at compatible public charging stations without having to present a charging card or credit card to pay.

Fast charging of the Mini Cooper SE up to 95 kW // Source: Raphaelle Baut for Numerama