MINI Electric Hatch Resolute 2022 Review

The 2022 MINI Electric range is based on the Cooper SE three-door hatch that comes in two permanent model grades – Classic and Yours – and now adds the new Resolute Edition at the top end.

And while MINI Australia is calling the Resolute a special-edition, there are currently no limits to production so it will be available to order until the British car-maker announces an end date further down the track.

The 2022 MINI Electric Hatch Classic is priced from $55,650 plus on-road costs, the Yours model starts from $62,825 plus ORCs (giving buyers even more choice to customise their ride) and the Resolute rounds out the range at $63,825 plus ORCs.

Brandishing a suave Rebel Green hue that’s usually reserved for MINI’s high-performance JCW models, the Resolute also gets a contrasting Pebble White roof and mirror caps, along with brass exterior touches and Resolute decals.

Inside, Resolute lettering is stamped on the bottom edge of the steering wheel, while a rippled 3D-effect dash inlay is finished in more brass/gold tones. Resolute Edition skid plates are also fitted.

Meanwhile, a gamut of features plonked into the top-spec MINI EV include 17-inch Tentacle Spoke black alloy wheels, LED headlights with auto high beam, MINI Yours Leather Lounge seats with heating, a Nappa leather steering wheel, wireless phone charging, a Harman Kardon sound system and dual sunroofs.

MINI offers two service packages for its little EV, including a six-year ‘Basic’ pack ($1280) as well as a six-year ‘Plus’ pack ($4055), the latter adding a brake change (pads and discs all round) and windscreen wiper blades to the regular filter, fluid and battery checks.

The 2022 MINI Electric Hatch Resolute Edition also carries over all the latest safety tech you’d expect, plus a few goodies normally reserved for the MINI Yours.

That includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), speed limit assist, lane departure warning, emergency call function, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Ambient interior lighting is standard, along with MINI’s 8.8-inch central touch-screen – displayed within an illuminated circle panel – along with a fully digital 5.0-inch driver’s instrument cluster.

A head-up display also features as standard, along with a panoramic sunroof, suave Anthracite headliner, velour floor mats, keyless entry and push-button start, and MINI puddle lamps.

It’s an interior that feels true to MINI heritage, with rows of toggle switches and perforated Union Jack head restraints among the unique touches.

But more than that, it feels uber-luxe, with gorgeous materials and a driving position that’ll adjust to fit humans of most sizes.

The BMW-derived central touch-screen takes some getting used to, but both that and the instrument cluster provide high-res graphics and are quick to respond.

An unmistakeable silhouette is another nod to MINI heritage. Short overhangs, rectangular tail-lights and round headlights give it that original MINI feel.

You’ll be hard-pressed finding many EVs on the market that give you the same feeling of exclusivity from the driver’s seat.

The 2022 MINI Electric Hatch Resolute Edition continues with the battery-electric powertrain that was launched in 2020 as the MINI Cooper SE 3-Door Hatch.

It’s based on the same platform as the combustion-engined hatchback that was launched in 2014, rather than a dedicated electric vehicle architecture.

MINI says it removed the donor car’s petrol engine and wedged the 135kW/270Nm electric motor low within the engine bay, adding extra ‘roll-cage-like’ bracing around it to ensure maximum rigidity.

Drive is sent to the front wheels, while MINI says the 32.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack fits neatly within the transmission tunnel.

It’s no rocket ship, with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.3 seconds, but it’s ahead of the Nissan LEAF (7.9sec) and that acceleration figure is about average for most mainstream single-motor electric cars on the market.

The Tesla Model 3 RWD is an exception, which can hit 100km/h from rest in just 6.1sec.

From the driver’s seat, the MINI Electric hatch doesn’t feel underdone, providing immediate response when you floor the throttle.

Things can get a little unruly in wet conditions, with some torque steer and wheel spin from the Michelin rubber as the MINI EV struggles to get power to the ground through its front wheels.

That’s a sign to simply play to its strengths, which on dry surfaces see the MINI Electric deliver vibrant and linear acceleration, providing the foundations for a fun driving experience with its familiar sporting traits.

The handling offers plenty of driver engagement, the Resolute proving to be a nimble little machine with super-light steering that gives you the confidence to throw it into practically any corner.

The suspension is on the firmer side, which suits the sporting character but does make the ride feel brittle at times when you’re away from smooth tarmac.

It’s really made for the city, especially when you start to consider how far it’ll get you – or won’t…

That brings us to one of the biggest drawbacks with the 2022 MINI Electric Hatch Resolute Edition.

The British car-maker claims you’ll get 233km of range out of a full battery, which is nothing to write home about in the first place, but our experience saw us hit around 170-180km on a full ‘tank’ of electrons.

That’ll be fine for Aussies who don’t need to travel far, and who frequent city hubs or towns, but it feels better suited to European countries than our big landscape, adding an extra layer of planning (and, for some, anxiety) when planning longer trips.

The relatively small 32.6kWh battery and limited range also means you’ll be spending more time topping up, and there’s no great advantage with recharging times either.

MINI says you’ll go from zero to 80 per cent charge in 36 minutes using a DC fast-charger.

To help replenish the battery there are two stages of regenerative braking, however even the most potent regen setting doesn’t offer proper one-pedal-style EV driving.

You do get a few more driving modes, however, including Mid, Sport, Green and Green+, all of which affect the little EV’s throttle and brake response. The latter is the preferred option to get the most out of the car in terms of driving range.

The cabin remains calm and tranquil, even at higher speeds, and the MINI Electric’s tiny proportions make it easy to place on road. It also has an impressively tight turning circle.

To put it bluntly, the 2022 MINI Electric Hatch Resolute Edition is merely a more sumptuous version of an EV that doesn’t have a great driving range, isn’t outrageously fast and is pretty darn expensive.

But it is super-charismatic, cute and quirky, not to mention loads of fun to hoot around town in.

The Resolute’s unique design touches make an already attractive car even more of a head-turner, and for some, that will be more than enough.

How much does the 2022 MINI Electric Hatch Resolute Edition cost?
Price: $63,825 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 135kW/270Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 32.6kWh lithium-ion
Range: 233km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 16.8kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested