An electric variant of the two-door Cooper S is the 2023 Mini Cooper SE. It has many similarities with its gas-powered version regarding appearance and feel, but it costs $2,000 more at launch and has a bulky battery. Although the additional 300 pounds of battery weight doesn’t significantly impair handling, it also doesn’t translate into a very long range. The SE’s range on a single charge is just 114 miles. Even though there are four seats, this is a city vehicle for short journeys and two people due to the small cargo area and almost nonexistent backseat, much like the average two-door mini.
The Mini range had minor exterior modifications last year, but the 2023 model remains mostly the same; nonetheless, a new generation is anticipated for 2024. In the meantime, buyers may search for fresh interior choices, as well as new paint and roof colours. The essential Signature 2.0 and the more expensive Iconic 2.0 trim levels have higher starting prices. We examine the non-electric Mini Cooper Hardtop separately since it has a four-door body.
The SE competes with a range of more reasonably priced, smaller electric vehicles such as the base Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt EV, and Hyundai Kona EV, even though no other EVs are nearly this tiny. Comparably lacking in range, the Mazda MX-30 has a larger footprint than the SE but may be less valuable. The SE is compact, much like the standard gas-powered Mini hardtop, but when the backseats are folded down, it has a surprisingly large load capacity, considering its modest size. The SE can match the gas-powered Cooper S’s 181 horsepower from a single electric motor on the front wheels, although it is somewhat slower due to its increased weight.
The basic Signature Trim 2.0 costs $34,225 (destination charge included) and has luxury features like a panoramic sunroof and heated seats. For a $36,700 bundle, the $2,475 Iconic Trim 2.0 adds a head-up display, parking assistance, an enhanced audio system, and superior traffic info. Customers may have anticipated a sizable tax cut that lowered these costs below their gasoline-powered counterparts last year. However, that is no longer the case because most federal EV tax credits are eliminated, which lessens the Cooper SE’s appeal.
The low-lying, sporty-feeling SE has a stiffer ride than its bigger competitors. Still, its immediate torque gets things rushing when accelerating out of stop lights and into freeways. However, several technological and safety features—like Android Auto and blind spot monitoring—are oddly absent from what isn’t a cheap vehicle. This is a two-person car due to the short rear seat and little trunk capacity, but, as was already said, the cargo area expands significantly when the backseats are folded down, making it a helpful transporter.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive electric vehicle, the price rise and limited availability for 2023 might be irritating, but these are not unique problems for the EV sector. The wait for a redesigned electric Mini in 2024 could be worthwhile. However, the top package on the SE is the best option if time is of the essence since most safety and tech features are included in the top-tier Iconic trim.
What’s New
- The Electric SE is offered only as a two-door hardtop.
- Pricing for 2023 starts at $34,225, more than $4,000 higher than in 2022.
- Multi-coloured ceiling with a base of red, white and blue tones and distinctive ornaments
- Islan is available in blue for all the trimmings
- The grey roof is no longer available
- Melting Silver III colour available from November 2022, In addition to Nanook White.
- At the end of October 2022, Moonwalk Grey, White Silver, and Pepper White will no longer be in stock.
- The interior upholstery features distinctive trim in Black Pearl Leather, Checked Cloth and Chesterfield Brown Leather. The Mini Resolute Edition is a limited edition available.
- Active Cruise Control is now offered as a stand-alone add-on after being separated from the Driver Assistance Package.
- Options for leather-free and vegan interior materials
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ideal for driving (and parking) in cities
- A little battery charges rapidly.
- The rear seat lowers for a remarkable amount of cargo space.
Cons:
- It is almost comically low range, barely over 100 miles
- most adults’ tight rear seats
- Infotainment system redesign not anticipated till 2024
Performance: Mini Cooper SE
The front-mounted electric motor and 32.6 kWh battery of the Mini SE provide 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The regenerative braking is subject to rising drag using several driving modes: Sport, Mid, Green, and Green+. At higher levels, this drag is almost excessive. The maximum speed is set to 93 mph to prolong the battery’s life.
It isn’t the slowest of the two-door Coopers, reaching 60 mph in an estimated 6.9 seconds, but it weighs more than 3,000 pounds. The electric motor’s quick torque compensates for any sluggishness. It has the same acceleration as a Cooper S with gasoline, but be ready to feel every bump on the road. Although the robust dampers make it feel lively almost anywhere (we even went auto-crossing last year), the rough ride on a highway with plenty of cracks and potholes may be exhausting.
Power Consumption, Charging, and Range:
Practically speaking, the range is closer to 100 miles than the 114 miles the EPA estimates. That is among the lowest range choices; it is only marginally more significant than the oddly limited 100-mile official range of the Mazda MX-30. The 40 kWh Nissan Leaf only manages 149 miles, and the 32.6 kWh battery is little. At 153 miles, the now-discontinued BMW i3 also boasted a more excellent range for a compact vehicle. Though none of them come close to the more extensive and more expensive EVs like the Tesla Model 3, the majority of the smaller EV alternatives, including the Bolt EV and Kona Electric, provide more than double the usable range of the SE.
The more extensive Bolt EV and Kona Electric choices (120 MPGe) outperform the Mini, which has an MPGe (EPA-rated miles per gallon equivalent) rating 110 comparable to the Leaf’s 111 MPGe. It excels at 119 MPGe while driving in the city.
With 31 kWh used per 100 miles, the SE is at least almost as efficient as other lower-range models. The average is 34 kWh/100 miles, although larger vehicles—both battery- and non-battery—are included in that figure. The battery’s compact size means that recharging doesn’t take too long, but the two levels of regenerative braking may assist in increasing the duration between charges. It can reach 80% complete in 36 minutes while charging at DC fast charging stations—not at home or Level 2 chargers.
Driver assistance and safety:
Comparing the SE to most SUVs and crossovers makes it seem especially little, which is unsettling. Despite the car’s small length of 151.7 inches, its additional weight as an EV gives it a solid sense of grounding. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives it a four-star rating out of five, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates it as “Good.” However, neither agency tests the SE independently from the standard hardtop.
Small-car concerns would be alleviated by more basic safety equipment, and the Iconic trim level oddly lacks blind spot monitoring even when fully equipped. The top package’s head-up display helps you focus on the road. Automatic high beam and headlamp assistance, lane departure, and pedestrian and front collision alerts are standard safety features. Most tiny vehicles, EV or not, have a more complete set of essential safety features.
Comfort & Room: Mini Cooper SE
The SE is not a plush, cosy car, but it offers supportive enough seating up front. There’s enough room up front, even for most tall folks, but any backseat passengers over ten will be cramped and uncomfortable. There’s ample front leg and headroom, although the seats are a bit too rigid, and it’s hard to reach the touchscreen and knobs to change driving modes and other settings.
In the backseat, there are only 30.8 inches of legroom to “stretch” out. Complicating matters, it’s hard to get in the back, and once there, it’s not an enjoyable experience. Other small EVs like the Bolt EV and Leaf are more spacious in the back, with as much as six more inches. Mini makes a more spacious four-door model and its Clubman wagon, but neither is offered as an electric vehicle.
Infotainment: Mini Cooper SE
The Mini runs a version of BMW’s iDrive system, which uses a dial controller, steering wheel controls or a touchscreen. The menu experience is in dire need of an update, especially the navigation display. All the information is there, but it is a throwback to early mapping apps. The head-up display is optional, but with the terrible graphics on-screen, it’s almost a must-have feature.
Curiously, there’s no Android Auto, but Apple CarPlay comes standard. The LED frame around the circular 8.8-inch touchscreen looks fun and modern at first glance, but it’s more distracting than helpful when it lights up while driving.
The SE is good at maintaining a physical presence thanks to the trademark toggle switches, which turn on different drive modes or regulate braking levels. It makes it feel like you’re in a cockpit, in a good way.
Cargo Space & Storage:
The SE is half an inch shorter than the original two-door hardtop, so don’t expect any packing miracles here. Cargo space behind the rear seats is grocery-run small at 8.7 cubic feet, but with the back seats down, it grows to 34 cubes, enough to carry a short surfboard loaded through the front seats and almost as much as a Volkswagen GTI. Impressive for a tiny thing. There is no frunk (front trunk), so charging cables need to go into a compartment on the trunk floor.
Compared to other small cars, it doesn’t dazzle, but it’s not pathetic: the Kona goes up to 45.8 cubic feet total, while the larger Leaf is smaller at 30 actual cubes regarding cargo space. The Bolt EV dominates the segment with a monstrous 57 cubes of total cargo capacity.
Design: Mini Cooper SE
The Mini Cooper SE is as cute and rounded as any modern Mini, but its interior design is a strange mishmash of past and Present. Hopefully, a 2024 redesign will bring the funky but cool circular centre screen further into the 21st century and streamline its look—the new multitone roofs and paint colours spice up otherwise stagnant options.
The Union Jack taillights are still a fun Easter egg and liven up the car, which can feel like a stripped-down BMW. Its small size and sporty character make it a unique machine among EVs and preserve all the traits Mini owners seem to prioritize. The Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf feel much plainer and appliance-like in comparison. There’s very little to indicate this is an electric version of the Cooper S other than the SE badge and charging port, so there’s no need to adapt to any weird futuristic EV style, but there is not much to separate it from the gas version.
Is the 2023 Mini Cooper SE Worth it?
Although the Basic Signature Trim 2.0 has a starting price of $34,225, it is a simple model with standard heated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and some basic safety features. The $2,475 Iconic Trim 2.0, with parking assistance, an enhanced audio system, more excellent traffic info, and other features, makes the $36,700 upgrade worthwhile. The number of options is limited to the top trim if colour and interior options are essential to you. Choosing the ultimate SE package is advisable since most safety and technological features are included in the Iconic group.
The Resolute Special version in “Rebel Green” costs $37,700 and has bonnet stripes and 18-inch black spoke wheels if you’re searching for something unique.
The SE is an entertaining option that delivers the same vibrant personality as the gas-powered Minis for usage as a second vehicle or an occasional city drive. But go elsewhere if you utilize it often or go on road trips. Other considerably larger EVs are a better deal if you’re looking for a more efficient vehicle. But nowhere else will you discover the British eccentricities and Mini Cooper aesthetic.
Due to supply chain interruptions, all Mini Coopers in the range are now subject to a “limited production warning.” As a result, customers may anticipate lengthy wait times for a new SE.
How Much Does the 2023 Mini Cooper SE Insurance Cost?
Compared to most competitors, the Mini Cooper SE should be less expensive to insure. The average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record is around $1,930, although this figure applies to all 50 states. This is somewhat less than the anticipated premium for a Mini Cooper S using gasoline. Owners of a Nissan Leaf may spend $2,100 annually, compared to around $1,880 for a Hyundai Kona Electric and $2,060 for a smaller Chevy Bolt EV.
MINI Cooper SE Generations
First Generation
2020 to Present
After almost ten years of research, Mini teased the public with the 2010 Mini-E, an electric vehicle never released to the general public. In late 2019, the all-electric Cooper SE was introduced as a 2020 model. The Cooper SE borrows the body and fundamental layout of the standard Mini Hardtop. Still, it also packs electric motors and batteries jointly developed with BMW, Mini’s parent company, and the now-discontinued BMW i3. The Mini Cooper SE only had front-wheel drive, while the i3 drove its back wheels using an electric motor and battery pack.
Verdict
Due to its compact size, the 2023 Mini Cooper SE is a joy to drive on winding roads and a natural for navigating and parking in any urban setting. It performs so well that, until you need to charge it, you may forget about its conspicuously meagre 114-mile stated range. The range is increased via regenerative braking and adjustable driving modes, but regular plug-ins are required for this compact EV. Inside, it seems like an old-fashioned Mini Cooper S devoid of modern safety measures and equipped with antiquated technology. The low-cost EV has a little price hike this year and is no longer eligible for tax incentives; nonetheless, a redesign is scheduled for 2024. The SE does have a lot of appeal for anyone searching for a straightforward EV choice with some style and who doesn’t travel too far.
