MINI Electric 2020 Review – Australia

Known until now as the MINI Cooper SE, the MINI Electric First Edition has arrived in Australia, priced at $54,800 before the on-road costs. Or at the national drive-away price of $59,900, prompting the question, is $60,000 the ‘Goldilocks zone’ for EV pricing in Australia?

At least two mainstream electric vehicles – Hyundai Kona Electric and Tesla Model 3 – already play in that sector of the market but both are undercut by the new MINI.

For the money, the MINI Electric First Edition Hatch comes with the following standard equipment: satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon hi-fi audio system, front seat heating, a reversing camera, head-up display, front/rear parking sensors and wireless smartphone charging.

Leather-upholstered sports seats, piano-black decorative trim and dual-zone climate control are also standard. The large, round infotainment display is a touch screen that can also be operated from a single-point controller.

Given the MINI brand makes much of its myriad colour and spec combinations, the choice for EV hatch is limited. Four colour and trim combinations are available for the MINI Electric Hatch under the monikers, Future 1 and 2 plus two Classic combos. Each have set colour combos with the Futures feature 17-inch Power Spoke alloy wheels and the Classics 17-inch Tentacle Spoke designs.

MINI offers the Electric First Edition Hatch with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Owners can take advantage of condition-based servicing to minimise their ownership outlay.

Like other battery electric vehicles already in the market, the MINI Electric Hatch warns pedestrians of its arrival with artificial sound.

According to one of the carsales videographers, it sounds ‘cool’, and it’s one of the many safety features that are standard for the diminutive electric vehicle.

Other safety features including an emergency call button in the headlining, airbags (front, side, side curtain front and rear), autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors, and reversing camera.

If there’s one way in which the MINI Electric First Edition mimics its internal-combustion stablemates, it’s in the way the motor stumps up a great wad of torque from low speeds through to open-road velocities.

Floor the accelerator and the three-door MINI Electric hatch provides immediate response. There’s zero hesitation and the acceleration is vibrant and effectively linear.

The car seemingly accelerates with the same verve above 80km/h as it does from 20km/h.

Rather than straight-line performance, the key factor in deciding whether the MINI Electric is right for a buyer is range.

According to WLTP testing, the MINI Electric First Edition Hatch will travel 233km on a full battery charge. That looks to be bordering on optimistic, based on our experience with the vehicle tested for the local launch.

Our MINI started the day with a full battery charge, but the range posted was just 165km, barely two thirds the official figure. That was before the MINI had moved an inch with me behind the wheel.

Fortunately, that lower figure was reasonably accurate in reality. After a brief test drive of 72km, the range – with remaining battery capacity of 59 per cent – was still 94km.

If the car had been driven more sedately – without using the prodigious torque for the sake of one’s enjoyment – it might have been possible to eke out a longer distance than the projected range of 165km.

In other words, a regular commuter driving the MINI Electric First Edition can expect to travel further on a battery charge than a motoring journalist on a mission to test performance and traction between winding country bends. That difference should be around 30 to 40km, which is significantly closer to the official WLTP figure for the car.

The ride of the MINI Electric First Edition is a little choppy but not harsh and the suspension actually soaking up bumps better than expected. While the car’s short wheelbase contributes to mild pitching, the spring and damper rates are well chosen for a car that’s not aimed at the same target buyer as a conventional hot hatch.

Tyre roar on coarse-chip bitumen stands out in EVs generally, but it’s particularly prevalent in the MINI Electric First Edition, which is fitted with original equipment Goodyear Eagle 205/45 R17 tyres. In defence of the tyres they do provide the level of grip we expect from a MINI while also contributing to the car’s ride quality.

True to form, the MINI Electric does exhibit torque steer under hard acceleration. But kudos to the car’s electronic diff lock as the MINI Electric didn’t show any signs of axle tramp on the wet roads during the brief test drive. It’s quite close to neutral, power off, but will widen the line out of the corner with electric motor working hard.

The steering is light in the two green modes, but feels meatier in the sports settings, and unlike some EVs, the MINI’s brake pedal feel is communicative and conveys a sense of dependable braking ability – this is despite having to communicate with the brake-energy recovery system.

On the inside, the snug and comfortable sports seats are spot on. Furthermore, the chunky steering wheel is a delight to use; it’s the right diameter, with a rim you can really wrap your fingers around and thumb rests located exactly where they should be.

Where instrumentation and infotainment are concerned, I found it easier to navigate the instrument screen in some respects than is the case in conventional MINIs.

But as with its internal-combustion siblings, the MINI Electric First Edition features highly active and colourful infotainment graphics that really raise the fun factor to a new level.

Coming as it does from a brand with a reasonably long history of charging more for niche-market cachet, the MINI Electric First Edition Hatch really pushes the boundaries.

If all you want is a reasonably comfortable electric car without the airs and graces, Hyundai will sell you an IONIQ with the lot for about $5000 less, and with that car you’ll get more practicality, a longer range and comparable driveability.

Perhaps MINI will introduce a more affordable model after the First Edition cars are sold?

If it’s a MINI you want, however, that’s a different kettle of fish. But measured against its turbocharged stablemates, the MINI Electric is more cod than salmon.

It’s not without its charm, but the MINI Electric is a machine that by necessity will appeal to a fairly limited fan base.

How much does the 2020 MINI Electric hatch cost?
Price: $54,800 (plus on-road costs)
Available: August
Motor: Synchronous electric
Output: 135kW/270Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Power consumption: 28.9kWh (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2014, petrol models)