The New Electric MINI Is a Game Changer, But It's Not Why You Think! 

I've had mine for about 8 months with a commute of 45mi each way. Range is spot on for my commute and I have a good buffer to get to/from. Mini's range is not over inflated. I've found it very reliable and usually get more than the stated EPA range. I'm fortunate to have free charging at work, and with Level 2 EV charging I'm at a full tank in about 4-5 hrs. Most of my miles have been F-R-E-E. The interior is very comfortable and my wife loves how fast the heated seats get up to temp. I would highly recommend the mini EV for someone with a commute of anything less than 100 mi. No more oil changes, no more gas pit stops, and a comfortable/fun ride to get you where you need to be.

Good review! I took the plunge last year and bought a Cooper SE, and I totally LOVE it....! In the "real world" it is fast..... (who really drives over 100 mph anyway?) In the city it is agile and feels great to drive. Couple of points I would make.... At first I too was worried about "range anxiety".... I do about 15,000 miles a year, but the number of days when I do much over 100 miles I can count on one hand, Rapid charging infrastructure here in the UK is now getting much better and 50kW chargers will get you to 80% in about 20 mins, but you MUST have at-home charging capability to make it work. The quoted range is VERY conservative and I can easily get 140 miles out of a charge if need be, and once got almost 160 miles being super careful. Weather makes a huge difference though, in winter with things like the aircon and heated seats on it drops dramatically. Worst range I have ever got was 110 miles. My advice is if you are thinking about going down the EV route take a test drive..... you will love it!

When I did 0-60 tests with the SE in the different modes, the Sport mode was about 1 second quicker than Mid.

We have a little Fiat 500e rated at 84 miles and love it! Don't let the short range scare you, but do be realistic about winter and all (about 25% drop in range). If it fits your driving needs these small EVs are a ton of fun!

Excellent video! Bought a Cooper SE a month ago and absolutely love it! Range totally fits our needs and it's a lot of fun to drive.

Nothing feels like driving a Mini it’s a unique feeling Period 😎 Peace

"Larger Big Mac individual"! I had to pause the video at that point, I was laughing so hard!

Tommy said, "On 110, this could take as much as a couple of days to fully charge." Potential customers, know that it takes only about 12 hours because most people don't use up 100% of the charge and then coast into their driveways.

Another point in favor is the SE: when you price them out, the SE is only about $1000 more than an identically equipped gas Cooper S. And that’s without the tax incentives. You’ll easily make all that $1000 back in fuel and maintenance savings. I would just prefer closer to 150 miles range and a much much faster charger. And I’d like it in 4 door.

FYI that's Rebel Green not British Racing Green :)

Rev hang occurs because of emissions regulations and occurs with all modern manual transmissions across all brands. To counter it, simply let off the gas right before you intend to clutch/shift.

Great vlog from the UK

Thanks for review! Was looking online at these and my mom said we should get *that one* (SE model) *I'll drive it everywhere in town, I'll just give you my car*..................mom's car....that does 0 to 60 in like five or six minutes! (slaps forehead) lol

Tommy, is the SE fun to drive? How is the handling? I know it's not "fast", but either is a Miata. Does it feel "quick" while in the seat?

My usual commute is around 225 km / 140 miles, so this is the range I need, however I'd like to have double than range for an E-car that I might buy. I have driven the E-Mini on a test drive and it is impressive as heck, but oh the range is ( oi was ) terribly low!

Great job Tommy. Thank you so much.

For a throw back like Jeep does in many ways, Mini E should have placed 2 round reverse lights where the exhaust pipes have been.

which color has the left one? British racing green? it looks very dark.

I really liked your video when you first got the SE, but I think I’ll still have range anxiety. I have a 2015 Mini Cooper base, the tiny 1.5l 3 cyl and I love it. I just wish the SE had a 250miles+ range. I believe they will fix the small range in the next iteration.

301 lbs more than a Cooper S. Great review!

I learnt my driving skills in a mini 850cc. It wasn't quick but very fun to drive

Great video! Also, the trim levels are: Cooper Cooper S Cooper SE JCW GP There is no "MINI Cooper S JCW" anymore. (And also no "MINI Cooper S JCW GP") It's just the "MINI Hardtop JCW" and "MINI GP" respectively. Something Randy at Motor Trend also gets wrong :)

Have Stig do some timed laps in it.

Missed opportunity for a drag race here :(

2:35 you don't hang your charge cap like that. RIP paint

The Mini gasoline engines are known for being very unreliable. The cord to charge an all electric is more of a hassle, and it makes a lot more sense if your work includes a charger for free at their parking lot, and you rent a car with a lot more range for longer trips.

I have a cooper s and with just chancing the suspension makes it faster prolly will do a remap and most likely faster then a jcw by a car or 2 cars. I hope but i have a good feeling bout it and it’s cheaper

Hey, Tommy, my little Fiat 500e got 5.5 mi/KW on a little intercity jaunt today. What does SE get? :)

Isn't that the rebel green JCW?

In PA we still live on dinosaur rocks for electricity mostly. Not sure wether electric is better or worse because of the way it’s generated where I live

Ok he may not be used to what Americans call stick shift or here in the U.K. a manual. His gear change is tragic shown as someone not really in tune with using the box smoothly. He does know the engine Rev matches right automatically? 😁 taking a SE up against a petrol S but a Works is a big ask.

I guarantee that the electric will be much more reliable.

hey TFLnow - random thought, lets rethink EV trucks and future EV RV's. what if RVs and trailers came with optional massive battery pack (platform/skateboard) that could act as a range extender for your future EV tow rig and/or could also power the RV when parked? you guys have big connections in the truck world. time to send some emails to these guys and tell them to start working with the RV companies maybe. range anxiety in the future potentially solved.

Tommy, looking at Signature or Signature Plus for the SE. The Signature has 16 in wheels and no moon roof. If I go to Sig + I get moon roof and 17 inch tires. How does 16 in vs 17 in work? Will the car handle differently or have more or less road noise inside?

If you can take advantage of the tax credits and you're looking for a cheap second car for commuting. its an option worth looking into honestly. For basically the cost of a well equipped Toyota Corolla or Civic you're getting a car that's way more fun to commute in (in my opinion) and significantly cheaper to operate and maintain in the process.

These aren't Minis these are huge!!!

"larger, Big Mac kind of individual" hahaha

In this day & age, I don't find either of those prices exorbitant.

In 20 years there will only be 10% of current gasoline/diesel filling station in the US. This transition is happening and there is nothing you can do about it. I remember when we transitioned from regular gas to unleaded in 1975. By 1985 is was nearly impossible to find regular gas for your older automobile. What's the difference? Cars build after 1975 had catalytic converters and hardened valve seats. If you run unleaded gas in a car built before 1975 it is very likely you will have to have the heads redone about 4-5 times more often than if you could still find regular leaded gas.

Not sure why you didn't compare a Mini Cooper SE against a Cooper S instead of comparing it to a JCW

The JCW's correct name is "MINI John Cooper Works" not "MINI Cooper" as that is a different model car. Same goes with the "MINI John Cooper Works GP" I love the channel...good job guys 🙌🏻

This is a nice car, unfortunately the low range will be its biggest problem. Batteries age and give less range the older they get…. With an already low range yea….

I'm gonna pick the EV JCW model, now that would be cool!!

I'm first, for the first time. Nice video.

Doesn't have shove from a standstill, uh are you sure mate? It's quicker to 40mph than most ICE cars including the JCW

Cue the Luddites.

Just like uncle Rich Rebuild's

I miss the "soul" of my old 2007 R56 S with its playful quirkiness and real "go cart" nimbleness every day despite the greatly improved refinement, reliability, and practicality of my 2015 F56 S. Let's hope the new Gen 4 Minis combine both -- there's no reason they cannot.. Are you listening, Mini?????????

Where can I get one of those bacon TFL shirts?

STI TYPE R ?

Other markets can also choose a diesel for a lot of cars. Mini doesn't offer diesels any more though (not in Norway at least).

Sorry I take the gas not enough charging stations in USA

So comparing an electric to ICE Cooper S check this out. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F2aBgELdbt8.html 0-60 if you brake+accelerator “launch” in sport mode, I consistently get 6.5 +/- 0.1. Which others online get as well. I have seen a 6.3 posted… I am fine with a “slow” 93 mph top end when I can take 15 mph S-curves at significantly over the posted speed (when it is safe to do so). Range: winter summer heat pump on to 67F/72F and 100% charge driving in Green mode; 125 on the guessometer. Spring fall w/o heat pump, 100% charge driving in Green+; 145 on guessometer. I drive 70 mph only a short distance, usually 65. Usually do 110ish with 20% left pulling into charger or driveway. iOS a fantastic rally or auto cross driving car, not a muscle/drag racing car… which is exactly what it was used for soon after it’s launch and for over 50 years. Similarly, it is not a point and drive plush and loping mid-size cross country touring car. Buy what you intend to use.

My vote is electric!!

they didn't rip out the gas motor. they just put an electric one in.

GTI..... or GT or RT or SS

Which one should you get? For me, there is no question at all. The combustion Mini every time. Just this week, I was asked to pick up my buddy and his wife at the airport in Nashville. Being that I live out in the county, we never would have been able to make that trip on a single charge. I took my wife's 2021 Toyota Sienna which is a hybrid getting 36 miles to the gallon. That gives you piece of mind knowing you have the best of both technologies. Too bad, there is no hybrid Mini. Seems properly designed, it could get well over 40 maybe 50 miles to the gallon with mega range. That would be a car worth considering.

Great insight as most fan boys praise dynamics but they are insular and bmw engines lack innovation as original minis were 850 -1275cc and now 1.5 to 2 litre - and no hydrolastic suspension etc that made original so much fun - sadly now an overpriced bloated small inside niche car

Do u have to charge it every night? What if I’m visiting people out in the neck of the woods

Petrol Minis can be pricey but you're getting a unique car with luxury options for that money. It really can't be compared to other cars, in my opinion. At over age 40, a Hundayai or VW sport is not for me. They feel more like a young single person's car. All engine, less creature comforts.

Rebel green.

The EV Mini is the 1st Mini I would consider buying. So they upped their appeal.

So what's the price to replace the battery.

Gas.

130 miles on a "tank"? That's useless in the US market. Are these selling anywhere? Does that work in Europe?

Never get the mini gas..so many issue lets not talk about the trash transmission haha

SE gets a one hulu-girl rating :)

👍👍

I like that electric one alot. I want an electric car (leaf) for putting around town. BUT there are still some major issues that the EV ppl tend to ignore. Power grid is unreliable. Look at California right now and every summer. they have rolling black outs every year. I LOVE the lack of maintenance and moving parts to fail on EV but the battery packs can lose a single cell and rather than replace it, nope you have to replace the entire battery pack. That is not eco despite the EV fans wishes. I think if they can make the battery packs serviceable, have better in home power generation this would be an amazing thing. Well, and fix the charge times. no matter how much the ev fans say its not a big deal, it is. Hours compared to minutes is HUGE. it needs to be better.

Let's face it, the Mini SE is nothing but a city car. No matter what else you factor in, the range of only 114 miles is basically worthless when it comes to long trips or even day long trips across the state or across state lines (Colorado into Utah) because the number and length of stops to charge would not be reasonable. Assuming someone qualifies for the full $7,500 Federal Tax Credit means they have a lot of taxable income and would be able to afford something with more range if going EV.

The interior squeaks. The window squeaks. So not that luxurious

I THINK THAT IS "REBEL GREEN" and NOT "BRITISH RACING GREEN"

more reliable xD unless a new battery hits the market and your car becomes worthless xD

well of course an electric motor is more reliable than a bmw engine.

does the EV mini battery get charged to 80% and still gets 114 mile range?

If they brought an EV version with a bigger capacity battery I would be interested. Yes 114 miles is enough 99 days out of 100 but it would be a nightmare to try to road trip it in America. If you have 80 miles between chargers you are ok but if something is wrong with the charger when you get there you are quite likely screwed. The answer of course is a Mini EV for day to day and keep another ICE vehicle for longer trips.

The problem with the electric cars is that after 5-6 years you will have lost half of your range.. even with batterie replacement under warranty its still not a fun thing to purchase in the used market

EV all the way unless you are wanting the fun and performance. Especially if you're plugging in at night at home. $5 a gallon here in California, it's a no brainer. Still not as quick as the Bolt in sport mode 😁

Hmm! Sorry But Wrong Channel And Wright Thinks. Minis

Brakes go rusty and suspension wears out and it eats tyre's because of torque be more honest

Actually In the longrun you would def need to replace batteries... The batteries on the ICE are about 80 bucks... While on the EV are 5000 to 7000 plus labor...

Electric will have suspension problems because of weight.

No good

I test drove a mini EV and really liked it, I had the brake regen on but would like to try it turned off. The salesman said it would cost something like £1500 to install a charger. Once everyone is converted bullied into electric you’ll find electricity prices going through the roof which will affect your TV and toaster! Electricity will be a sitting duck for the government and greedy energy companies to pile on the increases, so yes buy electric now but don’t expect cheap electric to last for much longer. The other main issue not mentioned is resale. The batteries last around 10 years if you’re lucky. You buy one and drive it for 3 years and want to get a new one because the battery efficiency has dropped, who is going to want to pay top dollar on a car that has decreasing efficiency and only a maximum of 7 years life left? EV’s are a concept that have been forced into the public arena before they’re ready and for that reason I’m out!

You’re American. It’s not properly quick. It’s very quick. lol

JCW is faster than a GTI. Lol even the Cooper S is. Bye

Wait for the hydrogen driven via Hydrogen film or Disc.

Nah those tax credits need to be included in the price at the time of purchase. Otherwise still 30k

EV all the way.

I'd take the JCW version of the Mini, avoid the electric Mini at all costs

Limited range is a joke

"Kinda soulless..." WTF are you on about?

Did Tommy just assume that all bigger people eat fast food? Come on, man. You're better than that.

Changes the game by being the worst ev you can buy .....you only got it because of tax credits how lame

8 years and the battery is toast and car totaled due to it.

I'll never own an electric car. Its all bs

Moot video. Ev's are a fad The ICE isn't going anywhere anytime soon