New MINI Cooper electric DRIVEN. Is THIS the perfect small electric car? | Electrifying

[@douglaskinloch6272]

I have the Mini SE right now, I saw the new one yesterday, it looks smaller but is way nicer in the metal than the pictures suggested. The interior is jarring when you've had Minis for 20 years, but the nod to the car I learned to drive in is spot on. Losing the black plastic externally makes a huge difference.

[@sergigorchs7329]

Well Nikola, thanks for bringing the weather with you. Rain is much needed here these days. 3 years drought in a row. So thansks😊

[@Qibilii]

Really can't get over the taillights. They're so unMINI-like, this is the first time a MINI has sharp edge taillights and these look daft and unfitting. But that's just my opinion.

[@jgreen9361]

I didn’t think the rear looks too bad actually. Side view is similar to previous modern incarnations of the mini. From the front it looks like a cartoon car. A real gamble, a new audience might love it, they might really hate it.

[@JackOfHearts42]

I'm hoping to see an aftermarket solution to this.

[@jimwatson9947]

Range is still questionable, rear lights awful. Then the stupid sounds, surely the joy of electric is the quietness!

[@richb326]

@@jimwatson9947turn the noise off, it’s the first thing I did when I got my BMW EV

[@DshotTV]

Mini hizo luces redondas en la parte trasera hace años y todo el mundo lo identifica. Pasara lo mismo con este nuevo modelo con el paso de los años. Hay que respetar a los creadores, y si no te gusta compra un Volkswagen xD Aun habiendo reducción de costos sigue estando por encima de la competencia, no hay nada mas carismático que un mini. Tengo un F56 y ya compre el F66.

[@greengoblin2347]

Here we go again £34k for a 49.8kwh usable battery , less than 200 miles real world range, I would have an ev tomorrow, but I feel this isn't value for money

[@CuttingItFineFilms]

Thing about EVs is that the ranges differ entirely depending on if you‘re in an urban or countryside environment. If you‘re in an urban or suburban area your range will be way better than if in the countryside. Fully expect this car to be a great seller for people who don’t need to ferry people around all the time & live in a built up area.

[@pachy444]

​ Which EV is that you drive, sounds odd, my experience of them is urban driving stopping and pulling away uses far more battery than cruising country lanes, in fact the best miles per KW will be in country driving where you might do a constant 40/50 mph

[@pachy444]

Hi, why not just get a bargain used Mini SE, they are amazing cars and unless you often do more than 100miles a day the 28kwh is plenty and the car benefits from not lugging about a huge battery you don't need.

[@CuttingItFineFilms]

@@pachy444 Tesla Model X and 1st Gen Mini Cooper S

[@AlanTov]

@@CuttingItFineFilms this idea that something with a 200 mile range can only be a ‘city car’ is nuts.

[@urbanstrencan]

Finally new car that got a little bit smaller at least in one direction 😂😂😂. Great video 😊❤

[@SuperMarioAdventures]

I fell in love with the new Mini SE!!! Great Video!

[@BenThorp]

Would've been interesting to know how the circular screen copes with Android Auto / Apple Carplay....

[@7ludi]

Works well it covers a rectangular section in the centre the rest of the screen has the driving info, Climate control etc.

[@ru2225]

See how the games look at 7:00 That's how they look

[@neilrwilliams218]

Think the sounds would grate after a few weeks and the styling from the front and sides is more anonymous than Mini, but there's probably aerodynamic reasons for that. Will be interesting to see a twin test with the ORA 3, but I think I'd be looking elsewhere as the boot is too small for my needs.

[@w1lliemartin]

Apparently you can switch the sounds off.

[@stephen300o6]

You can turn it off, unlike an annoying combustion engine.

[@NotJanine777]

The sounds can be turned off but having driven a right-hand drive one last weekend, I can assure you they add to the sense of speed. It really is a great car - fun, fast and handles as you’d expect a mini should. 😊

[@carsteneckhardt6572]

Everywhere you go, always take the weather with you... ^^

[@bill_heywood]

If they'd filmed on New Zealand, it would definitely have been raining 😉

[@FFVoyager]

The original was sold as an Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor never a Mini Morris! It became the Austin Mini in 1962 and Mini became the marque in 1969.

[@clsutherland331]

😂😂😂 My favourite part of the video is when you put the car in one pedal mode, you're reaction was priceless. The sheer joyous wonder was fantastic.

[@C0wCakes]

Professionally composed sounds. I want a car noises composed by Hans Zimmer featuring Tina Gou on cello.

[@wolfgangpreier9160]

And i want In a gadda da vida with 120 decibel.

[@davidy7004]

I thought Hans Zimmer *was* the composer for EV car noises for BMW (who make the Mini). Have they got someone else now?

[@wolfgangpreier9160]

@@davidy7004 This Mini is from GWM, not from BWM. I guess the use Alfred Tür instead of Hans Zimmer.

[@James_Ryan]

Never much liked yellow, but I have to say yellow really suits this car, and definitely adds to the fun factor.

[@charliez7130]

Beautiful design & implementation

[@apexerman1]

I always liked the knit fabric dash in my Smart car. It works well here.

[@NotJanine777]

Great car - drove it the other day in the UK. Only complaint was the material on the doors where you but your elbow - it’s SO rough - almost like sandpaper - if you’re only wearing short sleeves, you’ll really find it annoying. It’s like no one bothered to check it before they signed it off for production. 😬

[@rgen28]

Great review from Nicola as usual. Thank god they didn’t put the indicator lights in the bumper.

[@chrisward000]

One reason I like my current Mini is, while not UK owned anymore, at least it’s made in Britain and supporting British jobs. This electric model is made in China. They say they will move some new electric production to the UK in 2026, but until then only petrol models made in Oxford. Honestly though, I think this new version looks crap inside and out and the gimmicks cheesy rather than cool, so I’m not tempted to swap for my current Cooper. £34K for an actually useful range is 13k more than I paid for mine and I don’t do enough annual miles to offset the extra on fuel saving alone. I don’t drive much and I guess I’m unusual that I either drive journeys of 2 miles to the shop or 300+ for work and nothing in between. I also hate touchscreen controls, especially on UK car where you have to operate it left handed, and having to take eyes off the road even just to see your speed (unless you pay extra for the HUD) is a massive safety concern for me.

[@miumboy]

(The Countryman is made solely in Europe, though.)

[@brianiswrong]

How about bringing a new test to all electric cars with 1 pedal driving A 30mph to a standstill And 60mph to a standstill timed. We the viewer can then get an idea of how aggressive an ev with 1 pedal driving will come to a stop by just regen.?

[@graemetaylor629]

its a sign of the times that the iconic British brand is now also manufactured in china. the price is too much, cars like this need to be nearer £20000.00

[@ChromeFlakes]

If they were really committed to the go-kart theme, instead of a key turn they’d have a rip cord like a lawn mower! 😂 Nicola Hume, always a joy no matter what the car.

[@devilgames2217]

I'm only here because of her, she's funny.

[@martingill6996]

Nice cheerful review 👍🏼 Love the car but mot a fan of the silly artificial noises.

[@drive-channel1834]

I agree That silly "EXPERIENCES" artificial noises is worse than useless, the ugly side of cheap. They should have used the resource for physical buttons/dials for climate control instead.

[@dennischoy5100]

how does the drive compare to the old version F56 Electric?

[@jeremyrogers5103]

I'm watching this and worrying about the rain pouring into the car whilst you describe the dashboard! I had the same problem watching Ginny talk about the BMW i5 yesterday! Why cant you film with the dorr shut?

[@nicolahume]

Either way the window will have to be open so it makes no difference

[@MrBinabanana]

It's a restriction of photography. If the camera were in the car (with the door closed) and had a wide enough lens to capture both presenter and dashboard, the image would be very distorted and the proportions would look entirely wrong. So the videographer has to use a longer lens from further away to flatten the image, but that obviously requires the door to be open. The window aperture would not be wide enough to film through without some intrusion into the frame.

[@raewood]

I thought that as well The seat is soaking.

[@madmandonna1]

It does look nice but the price point is a little high considering the equally nice looking Renault 5 will be cheaper and bigger with similar/better range.

[@sdpryce]

Don't Renault EVs get a 1 star safety rating? That would be a no from me.

[@Andy-zi1wj]

​@@sdprycethat's for the Renault Zoe. The 5 is replacing it.

[@irnbrukidsm]

For those who love a car with personality & personalisation opportunities …this is a wee gem.

[@jgtalbot789]

I think unless you re just determined to have a mini I think its going to have a problem competing with the electric Renault 5 that if they stick to their pricing will be about £5000 cheaper.

[@lavectech]

Looks good. What a rainy day you had!

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

Out of all the EV's on the market, the only car that came anywhere near to a Mini, was the Smart #1. And that bonkers Brabus #1 version is pretty damn well good! But it's good to see that Mini have decided to put some proper range into a Mini EV. EDIT - I hope that there will be a way to remove all that electric noise regardless of what mode you're in 8-\\...

[@LiiMuRi]

It's unfortunate that new cars are all getting wider. Even the Mini! The length doesn't matter to me as much, but driving down narrow mountain roads or old city streets would be much more comfortable if the car was just a little bit narrower. But there just aren't new electric cars with decent range and narrower bodies.

[@jonathantaylor1998]

Your face, when you switched in to B mode and the regen kicked in...! Just priceless... You're so lovely, bubbly and engaging to watch, Nicola - thank you for just being you, because your 'you' is wonderful 😍

[@7spower998]

Nikola, thanks for the review. Btw, wrt OPD 11:40 the OPD brings the car to a full stop, 11:52 It takes more energy to start the car again from rest. vs OPD that brings the car to creep, that takes less energy to move it again.

[@thelaserhive3368]

We had a classic mini for over 20 years. We loved it, but the last thing I’d want in an electric Mini is a noisy, smelly, harsh riding thing that drops oil on the driveway. So I’m happy they are going for just an essence of mini. Thanks also for the subtitled ‘trigger’ warning about it not being a mini Morris. Maybe Nicola was just reinforcing the fact that she’s not an old fart 💨 who can actually remember them😂!

[@jamesmccormack3229]

Love that the new mini has got smaller, finally! Not ever gen of a car has to get bigger n bigger some of us like decent small cars. The interior is really nice, I noticed when test driving one the cheaper plastics in the centre and lower are quiet cheap for the price, however over all love the new interior, the amount of personalisation you can have and hints of classic mini, not so keen on the back lights mind u.

[@jontyb123]

The entire new mini range is disappointing to my eyes.

[@Tectonicia]

BMW is ruining the brand😢

[@gingernutpreacher]

To any one with eyes it's a yellow turd

[@UKRenna]

I agree. The previous generation was much nicer.

[@robbiewiliams1974]

@@Tectonicia- There would be no Mini if BMW had not brought them back into production.

[@neildolan7177]

I just think that being electric, they could have chopped the front down to give it a more classic mini look.

[@Foucault2001]

But if they chopped the front, they would have room for the petrol engine. Like pretty much all BMW electric cars, the minis are built to take both ICE and electric drivetrains. The first BMWs on a dedicated EV platform since the i3, the Neue Klasse, are due next year.

[@7ludi]

​​@@Foucault2001 no this is an EV only platform. Also the BMW iX is ona EV only platform

[@pachy444]

​​@@Foucault2001well you got that completely wrong, the old SE was a like a converted ICE. This new China built EV Mini is a completely different car to the New ICE version with all different structure and all different outer panels, even the screen is a different angle to the ICE version built in UK It's is a ground up designed EV Mini which cannot take the ICE drive train.

[@Foucault2001]

Sorry I’d forgotten the new Mini Cooper is an Ora underneath so could be a different design. On the subject of the BMW iX, it’s built on BMW CLAR-WE platform which is also used by the new 5 and 7 series, so not electric only.

[@7ludi]

@@Foucault2001 No it's a bespoke platform with aluminium/carbon elements not transmission tunnel and no space for a combustion engine

[@rickdonovan1088]

I am generally in favor of the inside but still prefer the aluminium swithchgear and a speedo in front of me though. The new center console looks great and quite feature rich. Now the outside I am just not a big fan of, the front end looks more like a toy and the back end has totally lost it's identity. I am very happy I have the 2024 SE and plan to keep it for a very long time. Thank you for all your great reviews that really help give us the feeling of being there🙂

[@melissamobberley2086]

How do you reverse? No gearstick ?

[@vishalontheline]

The outside will take some getting used to thats for sure. Inside's lovely! I wonder if there's a way to replace go-cart noises with people making go-cart noises.

[@JackOfHearts42]

I hope this generation MINI EV comes in a soft top.

[@axeman3d]

The round screen is nice, quite like the look of the whole car compared to the old one. The top spec one seems to have decent range so I doubt I'd even consider the smaller battery. My Smart #1 has theoretical 280 miles and during the winter here I got 180-190 tops and my mates e-mini struggled to get 80.

[@robnelsonbayvillage]

Yellow is the faster color. Love your work. I popped over to London for a Board of Directors meeting at Wembley Stadium and one of my Tesla Ubers was an e-Minni. Loved it. We owned a Cooper S here in the Colonies. Loved it.

[@hungsiu2859]

Does the new Mini finally have powered memories driver seat?

[@richardw64]

Does the central screen dim when you have to use your headlights?

[@pachy444]

No that wouldn't be practical, you might put your headlamps on in the rain, the dash dims when it's dark. You can also set the brightness of it yourself.

[@anthonysimpson6738]

My research says the glass roof is fixed, it isn’t a sunroof you can open, has that changed? It doesn’t have range for me but ok if only a city driver. The lack of physical controls for air conditioning was a safety issue. So I will wait it out until range is double and designers actually design the interior for drivers. So they return to physical controls for air conditioning, tactile controls. You can’t look at the road and the touch screen. Mini don’t have a lot of customisation exterior colours either. I am looking at the Alpine B290, as built in France just a little more exciting. But nice review all the same, rain is good too.

[@HiiImChris]

I like it alot. The exterior and interior. It needs a little more character and homage though

[@Darthadios]

I had to sell my R56 because it was burning so much oil, that it could not pass the emissions test. =/ But what I can say Mini is 100 times better at summer what it´s on the winter. At winter the driver´s door was constantly frozen, so I had to go to the car Mr.Bean style from the passanger´s door, and rear end had no grip on ice or snow, I was couple of times sideways on a roundabout.

[@jackshaoxixu]

Is the yellow color available in the US?

[@HiiImChris]

250miles of range FINALLY

[@cgtactical6619]

Is this new Mini electric going to be available in the US? their website still shows the old and they only have the new version available in gas

[@stuartgifford8672]

wow i am shocked how good it looks inside, looks very bland from the outside, but love the information centre.

[@krslavin]

NMC batteries for both ranges - will they do LFP soon?

[@stevenjones916]

Shares a chassis with the GWM ORA 3, formally known as the "Funky Cat", enough said.

[@daniellabadia300]

no

[@th42]

Assuming you can use the different drive modes, but without the faux sounds?

[@sgsuper1150]

Needs to be longer, I have the mk1 and the only issue is luggage space

[@jh9740]

Weve just collected our se sport and its great. We run a small business so an ev makes sense financially and we owned a cooper s before. Seeing it in person, the car looks great although , perhaps not in yellow. Epic handling, comfy seats, decent range. Nippy with progressive speed but not fast really.

[@bill_heywood]

Could have stayed in the UK to drive in pouring rain ☔️ 😂 Love the MINI number plate on that press car. Great to see the MINI shrinking a bit too

[@JamesSleeman]

Because you can't fit a camera, and a Manos, in the passenger seat and still have enough distance to capture the scene. If a car can't handle a bit of rain getting inside, it would be a bit rubbish.

[@kathrynfraser6280]

And how far will it really go on a charge?

[@craig8638]

Hopefully the charging curve is really good.

[@edwardjones4550]

You mention the Cooper SE being the one you're testing then you give the figures of about 190 miles of range then you mention the Cooper SE again but give higher range figures?

[@raspas99]

It's all lovely lovely lovely but how is the reliability?

[@mikadavies660]

Considering it's based on the ORA Cat.... I would rather go with the Mini. Interior is better than the Cat and insurance will be OK as its a known brand.

[@oneone9884]

Exterior design is really blah. Seems like they forgot people who buy a mini don’t really want uniformity and all that. Shame, they missed such a great opportunity. Wonder if we can get one in camo that kinda hides it.

[@Skiridr22]

That dash must be hard to clean when dust gets in the pours

[@Yanquetino]

Oh, Nicola, too bad you didn't stay in Spain until the sun came out instead of returning to rainy England. This would be such a fun little EV to putz around in. Me? I'd turn the sound effects off. Sorry. One thing I love about EVs is their serene, relaxing quietness.

[@jsph3209]

Reminds me of an ora funky cat

[@michelebm]

Nicola Is the main reason why I watch these videos.

[@ContactBaroqueHall]

She is so quintessentially contemporary English and definitely in a nice way.

[@marklola12]

interior looks way better, always hated the inside of mini cars the dash layout is rank as hell. this looks great

[@Singlej13]

Love the new Morris Mini. But how does it compare to the 500 Fiat, or new id2 volkeswagen, or dolphin BYD. I do like your reviews though Nicky, so hopefully you’ll allow me this pedantry.

[@neoanderson7]

What are the odds it would be pouring that hard in Spain?? 🤷🏻‍♂️😔 Add insult to injury, nice and sunny back in the UK until you fly back home. 😂 So BMW addressed alot of concerns from people. 👍🏻. The colour is very welcomed. We need more colourful cars on the road. 👏🏻

[@medman36]

Lovely lively video, to start with. I think they did a decent job of keeping the character of the mini. Ot looks "healthier" than previous itterations of the ice minis I've seen on the road. Although perhaps stylish and characterful, Buildwise to me, they still look fragile and anaemic on the outside. Interior wise I'm not sold on the design and aesthetics. I do like the originality of the round screen. That is definitely different and refreshing even compared to the competition and Tesla. I'm not sold on the sounds and will likely turn it off most of the time. If sound cancellation was part of the audio package I would consider it. One pedal driving looks good on first impression, it even has full stop feom what Ingather from this video. What I have noticed recently where this mini and other EVs go wrong in my view is that the rear space and boot space is too much of an after thought and then to me this mini version and its value is quickly lost. I don't think for the specs and total package this cooper is valued correctly and price wise. I would value it no more than 20000 euros max. To me more thought could have been put into improving the rear passenger seating area and provide a far better sliding or folding bench configuration to let the owner choose seating position for more legroom or more flush bootspace design. Most journeys are without occupants and I use the rear seating area mainly for storage. It is only an odd occasion I transport people in the back these days. I think most electric cars can use a more playful compromising design of a transforming rear bench seat that can move around front to back on sliders or a near flush origami folding of rear bench or seats to accomodate a more non sound reverbing rear boot space. I think that would accomodate a more fitting multifunctional use of the rear bench sitting area/space in the 21st century. Ideas, for example, the id2all and idbuzz, are putting forward. And I have not heard anything about V2L or V2H/G support for this mini, which is a missed opportunity for future proofing this EV.

[@hughoneill3741]

It’s all fine and well messing around with the touchscreen when you’re parked up but attempting to change the temperature, fan speed and direction when driving is ridiculously dangerous. I’m not allowed to press answer and speaker, 2 buttons on my mobile phone without a find and penalty points but I’m allowed to press as many buttons I like on this while swerving along the road. You see it constantly these days.

[@Devil_Inside_LV]

Does it take 2 seconds to switch modes or is it just loading time for visualizations?

[@paulanthonybrett]

Switch then tap screen to change instantly.

[@PaulHo]

I'm not convinced it's a smart purchase, but I could totally imagine getting one in blue and a TARDIS vanity plate.

[@Mobile_Dom]

i love the twist to start in the dash

[@MrGMawson2438]

looks more like the 1980's Mini👍

[@w1lliemartin]

Mini morris? Might be wrong but wasn't it a Morris mini?

[@skellener]

"Look how they massacred my boy".

[@kjb1954]

The inside is different and quirky but the exterior just reminds me of a Honda E. Bit bland and lacks inspiration. Range is getting better tho.

[@seanweirdbeard]

Not a fan of evs tbh. Do like Honda-e but it has very poor range... That looks great tho with semi decent range. Well done Mini!

[@judebrown4103]

Ha! Very professional there Nicola under somewhat soggy circumstances! Great review, looks like fun. 👍☂️🌂

[@gileshalliwell3591]

The 1964 mini sound should be “silent” as it would most likely be broken down!

[@ToriReynoldsHolloway]

I would absolutely love one but without 3 seatbelts in the back it's just not going to work for me and I can't bring myself to get one of the large Minis - they just aren't what I love about Mini. Maybe one day when the kids have flown the nest!

[@oris247]

Horrid design, devoid of character and simply leeching of a legend's status. The fact thaf half the video is spent on explaining the modes shows how far we have fallen.

[@brianiswrong]

Top gears review says its slightly longer 😮

[@kingckwok]

Which one is better? Volvo EX30 or MINI electric?

[@patrickb827]

Nikola, you're hilarious! Love your reviews lol. As for the new Mini... it takes some getting used to. And the prices don't make it easy to swallow, either. I say, save a packet and buy an economical used car on which the emissions to manufacture it have already been emitted.

[@willcookmakeup]

The center screen is a bit too cluttered for me. And that range is wayyyyyy too low

[@TheHutchRuns]

Looks like an older DS3 from the side, losing the Mini identity to me, the inside is very cool though and I know I'm being pedantic but, it's Morris Mini, not the other way round...

[@joaonunomarinho]

The new Renault 5 looks 100 times better inside and out. As an r56 owner I’m very disappointed with this design. The Renault is prettier, goes further, costs less and is not made in China. Looks like an easy decision to replace my old cooper s.

[@aeromtb2468]

looks good but the range needs to be higher and cost too much.

[@WaltervonKurzgesagt]

can you turn the various car noises off?

[@riaz8783]

Yes

[@savioemc2]

Nice review, nice driver (as always) but I think you forgot to mention details of the HUD; you say something like "more about it in a minute" but then... nothing... ahaha. Love you anyway.

[@hffletcher5906]

Excellent styling. No doubt the car will sell because its a Mini and its a crazy old world. Not much else going for it though.

[@MrGMawson2438]

VW ID.3 77kwh Tour Pro S review after driving since I sold my Tesla Model 3 Highland! RSymons RSEV

[@GF-ep1pf]

Looks great. I welcome the one pedal driving, I wouldn’t buy a car without it. If they start building it in Oxford I could be tempted.

[@tpaul2866]

Recycled knitted material. I immediately thought of the Clangers.

[@SigmaJAD]

Rear lights don't look right

[@anthonyc8499]

I prefer the first gen's looks but the second gen's battery tech and interior.