Mini Electric First Drive

I got the chance to drive the Mini Electric at the SMMT Test Day at Millbrook Proving Grounds. It’s a remarkably normal EV, where the ‘electric’ drivetrain feels more like a different drivetrain option rather than a “complete revolution”. It’s also a really fun and playful car to drive, so that helps.

The Mini Electric starts from £26,000 (after PICG) making it one of the cheaper full battery EVs on the market. It offers 184 HP (135 kW) of power and a WLTP range of between 140 and 145 miles. That’s hardly long distance, but it is enough to get you to work, the shops and around town and home on a single charge. You’ll want to have a place to plug it in overnight to keep it topped up for sure.

Inside it’s a regular Mini, with the only hints that it’s the Electric version being the coloured ring around the central display that shows your battery percentage, and of course the magical silent motion as you step on the accelerator. Mini has taken strides in interior quality in the last few generations, we have an R50 (2006) Mini and while it’s not a terrible place to be, the material and build quality is so much better in the 2020 Mini Electric. The switch gear, the steering wheel, even the plastics around the cabin are a nice feel.

Driving dynamics are fantastic. Not only does adding the EV drivetrain make the driving experience more refined and relaxing, but you get a more responsive throttle too thanks to the instant torque. The car feels planted through corners and even over the winding hills at Millbrook, and even with a more ‘spirited’ approach the front end didn’t want to push and understeer.