Expert Review
4.18/5
The MINI Cooper SE is the kind of EV you buy with your heart, not a spreadsheet. It is a compact electric hatchback with the classic MINI shape, sharp handling and enough performance to make city driving genuinely fun. The India-spec version had a 32.6 kWh battery, 184 hp and 270 Nm, with a claimed range of up to 270 km.
The front-wheel-drive setup can push the Cooper SE from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, and the small dimensions make it brilliant for tight city roads and parking. DC charging can take it from 0-80 percent in around 36 minutes, while an 11 kW AC charger takes about 2.5 hours for the same range. The problem is that the limited range makes long highway trips more stressful than fun, especially when charging stations are not exactly growing on trees.
Who should buy it? Someone who wants a stylish, fun-to-drive premium EV mainly for city use.
What will bug you? Limited range, tiny rear seats, small boot and the fact that this model has now been discontinued in India.
