2020 Mini Cooper Hardtop Electric Review: Fun, Affordable, And Flawed

Electric vehicles are undergoing a dramatic image makeover. Where they were once viewed as friends of the trees but also soulless and awkward, Tesla has since been joined by the likes of Jaguar and Porsche, adding some much-needed flair to the sector. All offer desirable badges, plenty of style, and great performance, but their vehicles are also expensive: enter the all-new Mini Cooper Hardtop Electric. Starting at under $30,000 - and that's before tax credits are applied - it's one of the most affordable EVs around. With nippy electric power and Mini's legendary handling, there is nothing awkward or soulless about this hatchback. It is also well-equipped and as cheeky to look at as ever. On the downside - and it's hard to ignore this one - the Mini's truncated driving range works out to just 110 miles, far below that of other EVs. It's also a small car, so space is at a premium. But for solo city slickers who want to enter the electric vehicle fray, there is hardly a better option out there.

What's the Price of the 2020 Mini Cooper Hardtop Electric?

The electrified Mini Cooper SE starts at an MSRP of $29,900 for the Signature sub-trim. The mid-range Signature Plus costs $33,900, while the Iconic goes for $36,900. All prices are exclusive of tax, licensing, registration, and destination fees, the latter amounting to $850. Currently, the Mini Cooper SE qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit, further improving its value proposition. State-specific tax incentives will also apply in some cases, which Mini says will range from $500 to $5,000 in states like California, New Jersey, and New York. HOV lane access and toll reduction are among the benefits that customers can utilize. However, as these benefits change fairly regularly, it's best to contact a tax specialist to determine the full extent of potential savings in your location. Notably, Mini says that in some cases - whereby multiple tax credits apply - qualifying buyers can get a new Mini Cooper SE for below $20,000, which represents incredible value.

2020 Cooper Electric Hardtop Exterior

Dimensions

2020 Cooper Electric Hardtop Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The electric version of any model line isn't often touted as the most dynamically gifted, since the battery adds excess weight. However, Mini has positioned the SE's battery pack deep in the floor of the hatchback, and this actually helps it achieve a lower center of gravity than the gas-powered Cooper. However, it's still ultimately heavier than a Cooper S, and although the SE retains the fast and precise electric power steering that makes it a delight to thread through bends, it's not the most dynamically adept within the Mini range. Compared to other small EVs, though, it's got a fun factor that they can't compete with. The ride is rather firm, although damping is good so the SE is easy enough to live with on a daily basis.

There are four drive modes to choose from: Sport, Mid, Green, and Green Plus. Although each mode doesn't dramatically alter the Mini's driving characteristics, there is a perceptible difference in throttle response between Sport and Green Plus. Green is a good bet for daily driving, as it provides a welcome balance between power and efficiency. Independent of these driving modes are two modes for the brake energy recovery system. In the more aggressive mode, it's possible to enjoy one-pedal driving as the Mini will decelerate as soon as you take your foot off the pedal, often slowing down enough to negate using the brakes. Once you get used to it, it's another element of the driving experience that adds to the Cooper SE's unique appeal.

2020 Cooper Electric Hardtop Interior

2020 Cooper Electric Hardtop Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2020 Mini Cooper Hardtop Electric A Good car?

The 2020 Mini Cooper Hardtop Electric swifty eliminates two common grievances with electric-vehicle ownership: a high price and a lack of style for more image-conscious shoppers. The second aspect is more challenging to quantify, but as other automakers higher up on the price scale have proven, people will buy EVs if they're stylish and enjoyable to drive. The Cooper SE hits those targets easily; it feels chuckable like every other Mini, and it's got loads of charm. Starting at under $30,000 and before tax credits are applied, no other EV on the market offers the same mix of value and driving fun. However, for all it does right, the Cooper SE's appeal will be limited by its 110-mile range. Most other EVs can travel a lot further on a full charge, even if you won't have as much of a good time doing it. This also creates logistical issues for those extended cross-country trips. But if you spend all of your time in the city, or if you want a second car for the daily commute, the electric Mini is a winner.

What Mini Cooper Hardtop Electric Model Should I Buy?

Even the base Signature offers a lot of car for the money. If you qualify for significant state tax credits, it's possible to get the top-of-the-range Iconic model - with its more upscale features like a head-up display and nice interior trim - for a really appealing price of under $30,000. But each sub-trim represents a good deal, so it's worth working through the range of features and deciding whether you really need to go above the well-priced Signature variant, which has standard features you won't find on a base gasoline-powered Mini.

2020 Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop Comparisons

2020 Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop vs BMW i3

When it was launched, the BMW i3 was one of the most appealing EVs around. It still looks and feels like something from the future, but the pricey BMW has gradually had its advantage eroded by cheaper EVs. Now, the Cooper SE represents an in-house challenge to the i3. At a starting price of $44,450, the i3 is nearly $15,000 more expensive than the base Cooper SE, but it does have a carbon fiber body shell. The base i3 is marginally slower to 60 mph and also has lengthier charging times due to its larger battery, even though the two cars can be charged at the same rate. On the upside, the i3's range - especially the Range Extender versions - will carry it further on a single charge than the Mini. Both cars handle well, with the i3 exhibiting surprisingly tidy cornering considering its height, but the Mini is more engaging overall. There is much more space in the i3's cabin for rear-seat occupants, though, and its trunk is twice the size of the Mini's. If you need a compact EV with more space, the i3 will make more sense. But if you can live with a small trunk and rear seat, we'd happily recommend the Mini instead.

2020 Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop vs Chevrolet Bolt EV

In a runway contest, the Cooper SE wins this battle hands-down. The Bolt isn't ugly, but it doesn't come close to matching the Mini's street cred. But these are cars, and comparisons are not won on aesthetic appeal alone. To that end, the Bolt's 200-hp electric motor (with 266 lb-ft of torque) sees it outgun the Cooper SE to 60 mph. More importantly, the Chevrolet's range on a full charge totally outshines the Mini; 259 miles to 110 miles is quite a trouncing. In the cabins, the two trade blows once more, with the Cooper SE's materials and standard feature count leading the way, but the Bolt fighting back with far more cabin space and a bigger trunk. The Bolt costs over $6,000 more at a base level, though. Besides the price, all signs point to the Chevy being the more sensible option. But we still want the Mini more.