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The MINI Electric aims to bring the style, charm and fun-to-drive enjoyment of the classic, retro MINI into the 2020s with pure electric power. On sale since 2020, it’s a battery-powered version of the standard MINI Hatch that’s dripping in style and available in a choice of trim levels. A top-down model called the MINI Convertible Electric was sold from 2023, and a brand-new version of the hatch went on sale in 2024.
With its major selling points being looks and enjoyment behind the wheel, the MINI Electric counts its rivals as other small electric hatchbacks like the Fiat 500 Electric, the Honda E and the Peugeot e-208, as well as the likes of the Vauxhall Corsa-e, the Renault Zoe and the DS3 Crossback e-Tense.
The MINI Electric is several things – small, stylish, great fun to drive and pretty premium among its peers. It’s also not several things – spacious, particularly cheap or in possession of a large battery range.
For that reason, you should consider the first-generation MINI Electric as a car for everyday town driving and/or short-to-medium commutes. It’s not the best choice as a family car or as a long-distance cruiser – although it’s capable and comfortable on the motorway, the 145-mile official battery range (which will be shorter in real-world conditions) means more recharging stops than would be ideal.
With 184PS from its electric motor, and a zippy 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds, it’s a brisk car to drive and agile through the corners with quick steering and tight body control. Not many EVs are this much fun to drive, let alone of this size.
Practicality isn’t its strong point, with a small boot, only three doors, and limited space in the rear seats, because of the need to store the car’s batteries there. It’s also missing a couple of features, such as Android Auto, and not every version has automatic emergency braking. But its interior is both charming and high-quality, with plenty of comfort in the front seats.
The second-generation electric MINI – marketed as the MINI Cooper E – promises (a bit) more space and extra range, with two versions planned. One has a range of 190 miles, while the MINI Cooper SE promises around 250 miles. A sporty John Cooper Works model is due to follow. It’s still a three-door hatchback, however, so don’t expect practicality levels to match a family car.
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With just one electric motor option, your choice of a used first-generation MINI Electric will depend on what trim level you want. The trims are very sensibly labelled Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in order of price and equipment generosity. We think 2 is the sweet spot, with all the basics in terms of equipment and a few extras – you’ll get rear parking sensors and a camera, heated seats, cruise control and dual-zone air conditioning.
The latest generation of the electric MINI is so new that at the time of writing we hadn’t had a chance to try one. There are more choices, with three trims to choose from and two power options.
Original MINI Electric
Second-generation MINI Electric
The original MINI Electric came in the following trims:
The latest MINI Cooper Electric is available in the following trims. We say trims – MINI calls them ‘styles’ and they establish the car’s look before owners then specify equipment using packages:
After the original owners chose their trim level, they add equipment packages, named after the trim levels from the original MINI Electric:
The MINI Electric's exterior dimensions are:
Original MINI Electric
Second-generation MINI Cooper Electric
The MINI Electric’s boot size is:
Original MINI Electric
Second-generation MINI Cooper Electric
As with all electric cars, there’s no Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) to pay on the MINI Electric. Well, for now at least. From April 2025, the rules change – new electric cars will pay £10 VED when they’re first registered, and then from the second year they’ll attract the standard flat rate, which is currently £190 a year.
Insurance for the MINI Electric isn’t terribly cheap. Depending on the model, it sits between insurance groups 22 and 26 of 50. Groups for the latest Mini Cooper Electric hadn’t been announced at the time of writing.
Read our full MINI Electric review