NEW MINI Electric review – as FLAWED as the old one? | What Car?

Is the new MINI Electric an improvement over its fun but flawed predecessor? Watch our review of the 2024 Cooper SE to find out, as we drive this reborn classic for the first time.

#mini #minielectric #minicooper


What Car? is the UK's biggest car-buying brand and has been helping buyers for more than 50 years. Our tests are widely regarded as the most independent and in-depth.

Our YouTube channel brings you trusted reviews on all types of car, plus car news, reveals and features.


Follow What Car? here:

[JGNotts]

If we all refused to buy cars that insist on burying commonly needed functions in menus on a screen then they would be forced to rethink. I have no idea why it isn’t illegal to take your eyes off the road to mess about with a car screen, just as it is illegal to look at a phone (and rightly so)

[Aeonspy]

The fact you can even fit in the back while the front seat is in your usual driving position at just over 6 ft doesn't sound like a bad thing to me! I'm just over 6 ft too and in my 2007 mini nobody would fit behind me unless I have the seat positioned with my knees around my ears 😂

[leightaylor]

Really appreciate how well this video was presented! Sorry it was raining so much at the time of shooting, still a great video, nice new electric mini too!

[stephenwhitworth]

A great and detailed review. I cannot disagree with the consumer frustration with changes that we all hate, yet manufacturers think it's a passing phase. We should, en-masse, boycott these manufacturers until they hear us and respond. VW are you listening? BTW Kia seem to be listening.

[NotJanine]

I drove the new electric Mini S last Saturday in right-hand drive form - I can confirm that the steering wheel and driving position were fine - nothing seemed out of line. The model I drove was in JCW Sport trim - grey with a red roof. I loved it - it seemed very well built and didn't disappoint on the performance front. It pulled very well and the Go-Kart sounds made it seem very sporty. Yes, the boot is small and the rear seat is only suitable for kids or adults on a short trip but I'm guessing you already know that and if that was a problem you'd be looking at the Countryman or someother brand.

[roybroughton]

Doesn't look as classy inside as the previous generation & who thought the ridiculously artificial " engine " sounds we're a good idea😮, great review as usual 👍

[Truthbomb]

It doesn't look like a mini, older model looked much better. This looks like a suzuki swift

[dragosi]

I like how they want to pretend they are cool on the inside, but in fact they are just cheap. That central console armrest stuff looks like it cam straight out of a Dacia Sandero which costs half the price

[PeterBarri]

I like the clean cut exterior design. It seems interior quality has taken a step back but I guess the F56 was exceptionally good. The SE range should be standard. The E range is very disappointing given the steep price, €41k in Ireland for the Classic trim (base) with the Level 1 pack. It’s a €4.5k premium over the equivalent 1.5 ICE model.

[taomahNEGEV]

I'm most excited about a Renault 5 and a MINI Cooper E comparison in the near future. It's good that the stupid acceleration noise can be switched off. Promising but the e-208 feels a better EV.

[dominicrusho]

Can’t understand why they got rid of the black wheel arch trims. The front ‘cheeks’ of the car look so bloated and chubby without it there

[KensAlpaca]

Good review. No physical air con controls is a minus. Having the main display centrally is also too distracting; aren't NCAP disqualifying 5-star ratings for cars like that?

[paulgardner]

7:38 I don't think bmw/mini are moving the game forward at all. Very poor. Good review btw

[vp]

So the most popular mini electric will be £35k+ when most manufacturers albeit “non-premium” are dropping to around £25k-£30k.
Front end looks too long and out of proportion and lack of chrome doesn’t help it look upmarket. I understand this in part is down to reduce emissions producing chrome!
Inside tech looks good but material quality looks awful.
How long before people work out it is no longer “made” in Oxford and start seeing that this is no longer a premium quality product?

[cbotten]

Those tail lights look a little bit like a cartoon character that has been rendered unconscious by a sharp blow. All they need is a halo of birds circling to complete the look.

[shankarbalan]

Frankly these new Mini’s dont have the Mojo of the older ones. The Mini World (for me) ended with the R56 maybe at a pinch the F56. These new ones look exactly like the Suzuki Swift!

[BoopsieR]

Great and honest review, the F56 was a high point for the interior quality of the MINI, as you say in your review this is a cost cutting exercise……made in China……for more money…….i mean……come on! Maybe your average car buyer will be wowed by the circular OLED screen and naff sounds? Having owned every generation of “new” mini this is the first one I’ve skipped and just took delivery of a new 500e, in my opinion a much better reinterpretation of its original design and made in Italy where it should be made!

[cmsvmylo]

Yes I know the mini cooper is a bit of a luxury car but 34500 pounds means it will cost around 38000 euros. Why not buy the new model 3 at this point or even the volvo ex30? Also the renault 5 looks more interesting imo.

[stevealvarado]

Good review with a few comments.
1. Why not even mention the glass roof?! Seems like a plus!
2. How often you going to have rear passengers? Just keep the seats folded down for extra storage.
3. Agree with hvac controls, wish they were physical buttons.
4. I wish you Brits used more realistic range testing, no way that is getting 250 miles! Probably closer to 185mi.

[HO-fmhs]

BMW sold the i3 for £30000 in 2018, and now the Mini Cooper E will start at the same price in 2024 with a smaller battery?