2023 Mini Cooper SE Review: Fun EV but She Doesn't Have the Range

The all-electric 2023 ‪@MINI‬ Cooper SE is what so many of us want - an electric version of a regular car. It feels "normal" and in typical #MiniCooper fashion, is a total riot to drive. But the one glaring challenge with the #MiniCooperSE is the range... 114 miles can be a bit of a headache.
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[@danielm2934]

My partner and I one. That car with the sunroof and the Harmon Kardon sound system was absolutely perfect for a daily driver, in town. It was quiet, safe, quick, efficient, cheap to run, got the tax incentives (at the time of purchase) and then some. We sold it because we couldn’t leave San Diego with it because the range is so short and charging is so slow. Replaced it with a Model Y.

[@chrispnw2547]

Thank you for your post. I have a 2007 Cooper S with 32K miles and MINI has a special lease for the Cooper SE this month. I initially priced out a Model Y long range but have issues with the Musk-factor (should not but do). I tried to rationalize the range and spend of $32K to buy the vehicle at the end of the lease but 110 miles is quite low. Are you happy with the Model Y purchase?

[@danielm2934]

We both loved our SE very much. It was so easy to park too while we were in the city. That thing will squeeze anywhere and has an incredible turning radius. The Y is a great deal for the technology and the fact that we will have it for a long long time. I would have the SE as a second car again in a heartbeat, but we have too many cars to keep the SE, our two Saabs, the Land Rover, the Volvo and our two Model Ys. @@chrispnw2547

[@rogermartinez78]

I agree with some of what you say but you can take the Mini more than 500 miles without issues as long as you have a good charging infrastructure like here in California. No Range anxiety here! I own a 2023 SE, I got it before the new version comes out, not liking the interior and the made in China.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Great review! Let's keep in mind, range is not always the priority. This Mini is shorter in length than a Miata, yet it still holds four people. It can also fit into smaller garages and parking spaces. Additionally, the rear seats fold down giving it plenty of room to haul stuff. It's a great vehicle for daily driving around town, which in today's world of working remotely is what a lot of people are doing. It's a win-win.

[@ALMX5DP]

I do agree, though I think price is still a bit of a detractant. If it were even just $3-4k less I think it would be very popular against other value oriented EVs.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

@@ALMX5DP Mini is a premium brand, hence the price. The materials, fit and finish is top notch.

[@OutMotorsports]

Oh, it's the perfect size for around-town driving and range isn't always top priority... but it's a lot of money to spend on a car that can't realistically road-trip very far. Doubly so when you consider how the Chevy Bolt was priced and its 200+ mile abilities. Mini will get there.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@bigmacdaddy1234 oh I totally get that. Just sayin sales might improve considerably if the pricing structure dipped slightly.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

@@OutMotorsports The Chevy Bolt was plagued with powertrain malfunctions, braking issues and catching fire. It was so bad that even GM doesn't want it anymore and it's been discontinued. The price was lower because the quality was lower. What good is a lower price point and longer range if it's a pile of junk?

[@dartox3038]

You really tipped your hand with the "giggle factor" comment! 😄

[@DIRAVIdude]

The Heads Up Display is very valuable when you're using the car's native GPS. You get your turn-by-turn navigation instructions on it.

[@johnv9854]

I have a '22 SE and have been able to get 150 miles of range many times.. I absolutely love my SE, its the 4th Mini have owned and it is so much fun to drive.. I will be keeping this one for a long time, even if I get the urge to buy something new (happens a lot for me..)

[@paulo3564]

I agree 100%.

[@Edwin_Lam]

Great POV on how to give an EV personality!

[@Insight-qg1pu]

✔. After 8:38, where he's contrasting the 2025 to the current model, he makes a very good, seldom-made point- addressing how an ICE car's engine noise is part of it's personality, so when that noise is gone, a car's personality has to come from other aspects of the driver experience .

[@schmoab]

I just traded mine for a gas 4 door Cooper S. The SE is a wonderful car in a number of ways-the handling, acceleration, ability to cool or warm the cabin remotely. However I live too far between cities to get much use from it. I know I’m going to miss this car. Also I love those cloth seats but they are rare. They should be the base seat option instead of an $1800 option.

[@jedwin3039]

In over 2yrs of driving... GREAT car for what it is. Fun, true to what it's intended to be. Hilarious how those who apparently spend their life in a car driving all day whine about the range - not the car for you! not even a gas MINI, not known for all day comfort. Probably not your car without charging available where it's parked. Many understand distances in units of time... 'how far? about 20min' and don't have a sense for what they drive in miles and this is truly the source of fear/anxiety. It's two long standing evolved designs, the F56 and i3 e-drive components with stable NMC combined with sensible BMS.

[@OutMotorsports]

For the price point, it’s just a tough sell for many people. Even if it’s the perfect size, fun, etc a lot of buyers shop on size/range more than anything. The new model coming out should be a better balance. But such a fun little nugget of a car!

[@weaves1962]

I had one of these last week as a loaner for the day. I liked pretty much everything about it except, and it is a big except, was the pathetic range on a full charge. I was shocked at how fast the charge level went down even driving it as gently as I dared. When I jumped in it I thought "This could be my next car". 100km later I was thinking "Nope! can't get anywhere on a charge.

[@OutMotorsports]

The new model that just launched should be a pretty big improvement range wise!

[@ALMX5DP]

I really wish there were more options in this size category. I get the US is pretty averse to smaller city cars but I think they’d still have a huge market in and around more urban areas for stuff like this. Outside of the bonkers Teslas I’d say this Mini is at the top of my list in terms of desire to try and drive.

[@OutMotorsports]

There will be eventually, although charging for many city dwellers is an impossibility unless they rely on public charging, which kinda defeats one benefit of an EV. In the meantime, I don't blame OEMs for focusing on bigger vehicles that sell to suburban families with garages... easier sell, they can charge at home, bigger = more battery = more range, and easier to bake some profit into 'em.

[@charleshamlin3122]

We all saw your eye-roll when you mentioned i-Drive. Don't worry I rolled my eyes too!

[@OutMotorsports]

iDrive is actually pretty good! The knob rotates the wrong way compared to how your brain wants to use it but otherwise it's easy enough...

[@chrisowens6412]

I’m going to need to know more about those shoes you’re wearing.

[@OutMotorsports]

They're from this year's UnderArmour pride collection! Not sure if they are still available: www.underarmour.com/en-us/c/pride/

[@eriknephrongfr8847]

Tell me about the shoes, man. Thanks.

[@OutMotorsports]

This year's pride shoes from UnderArmour!

[@eriknephrongfr8847]

@@OutMotorsports Thanks. Good lookin out.

[@user-vu2xd1fi3u]

If it’s under 10k I’ll buy it lol😂😂😂😂

[@TheFiremonkeyman]

mini cooper hasn't had a "real backseat" since about 2006.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

I fit a person and my dog in the backseats with no issues.

[@roadtocybertruck]

Imagine buying a EV with 114 miles in 2024?? Ooof

[@OutMotorsports]

Yeah, it's a challenge for sure, especially given the pricing. Mini will be releasing a new Cooper and there's an electric version of it as well. They claim 250 mile range for the new one.

[@potatochobit]

I dont care about the range, I care about it not having android auto.

[@lexisnep525]

This thing is BEGGING for a bumper sticker that says "Here I go in my gay little car..."

[@OutMotorsports]

beep boop padam just driving to see some mens

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

That would be a Miata.

[@jasonross752]

Homophobic much?

[@wackit6756]

I’ve had 4 MINI's in my life, I want to like this one, and I know MINI tried their hardest to improve range but it’s almost 2024 and 114 miles is of course unacceptable. 🫤

[@OutMotorsports]

Yeah, it's a tough sell and it's a shame because the car is so adorable and legit fun to drive. Here's hoping the next generation (designed to be an EV or "electrified" from day one) will have a bit more.

[@jeremysutter892]

114 miles puts me from 100% to 28%

[@gd2bking1]

Dude.... I swim laps almost everyday. I would never wear my swim suit out and about!😅

[@OutMotorsports]

Meh, this is a channel by and for the LGBTQ community, I'm not here to wear sad baggy clothing.

[@Mark-de4hj]

@@OutMotorsports I have no problem with you being LGBTQ...but classifying looser choice of clothing as "sad baggy" because you don't like it, is juvenile. I know taste is subjective but wearing clothes that are suited for the person/place/time/occasion, rather than an identity, is really embedded in the ability to differentiate between true style and what's trending now. Not everything works for everyone. Additionally, a grown man looking like he's wearing clothing suited for a 12-year old boy can be distracting and probably not what you intended? especially since the content of your presentation is pretty good.😇 ps. just some feedback..