Seat Mii Electric

Overview

The SEAT Mii Electric, particularly this 2021 'Electric' trim, was a cracking little city runabout designed to make EV ownership super accessible in Europe. Think of it as Spain's answer to a smart, zippy urban commuter, a sibling to the VW e-Up!. Though never officially sold Stateside, its compact dimensions and plucky electric heart made it a compelling package for tight city streets. As it was discontinued in 2021, you won't find new ones, and specific US pricing isn't applicable, but it was a budget-friendly hero in its home markets.

What's New for 2021?

For 2021, the Mii Electric was essentially in its farewell tour, as production wrapped up this year. There weren't any major overhauls or flashy new tech bits added for this final model year. Instead, it doubled down on its core mission: providing straightforward, no-frills electric motoring for urbanites. It remained a testament to affordable EV city driving, bowing out as one of the most compact and budget-conscious electric options available in Europe during its run, making it a notable entry-level EV of its time.

Design & Exterior

This tiny titan rocks a classic, boxy-but-cute city car look that’s all about practicality. The Mii Electric keeps things simple and cheerful on the outside. Its diminutive size is a huge plus for urban warfare, measuring just 140 inches long, 64.8 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 58.3 inches tall. The 'Electric' trim got subtle EV badging and often unique wheel designs to differentiate it. It’s not trying to be a sports car; it's an honest, compact machine built for nipping through traffic and squeezing into tight parking spots with ease.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside the Mii Electric, it's function over fuss, with a straightforward dashboard and durable materials. Don't expect plush leather, but it’s solidly built for city life. Passenger space is cozy, seating four, though rear legroom is best for short trips or kids. You get a surprising 8.9 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a useful 32.6 cubic feet with the rear seats dropped – pretty decent for weekly groceries! No frunk, though. Tech-wise, it’s basic, likely with a small infotainment screen and smartphone integration for your tunes and nav.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let its size fool you; the Mii Electric is a proper little pocket rocket for city speeds! With its 61 kW (around 82 hp) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor sending 156 lb-ft of instant torque to the front wheels (FWD), it zips from 0-60 mph in a respectable 11.8 seconds. That punchy torque makes it feel nippy off the line. The ride is geared for comfort over cobbles, and its tight turning circle makes U-turns a doddle. Regenerative braking helps claw back some energy, perfect for stop-and-go traffic.

Range, Battery & Charging

Packing a 32.3 kWh usable battery, the Mii Electric offers a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of 139 miles – plenty for city dwellers. Its efficiency is a solid 4.3 mi/kWh. For charging, its standard 7.2 kW AC on-board charger can juice it up fully in around 4.5 hours at home. Hook it up to a DC fast charger, and it can gulp down power at up to 40 kW, getting you from nearly empty to 80% in about 45-60 minutes. It uses the European CCS Type 2 port.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

When it comes to safety, the SEAT Mii Electric earned a 3-star rating from Euro NCAP. While specific NHTSA ratings aren't available as it wasn't sold in the US, this gives some indication of its crash performance. Standard driver-assistance features were likely geared towards urban safety, possibly including essentials like lane departure warning. Don't expect the latest suite of advanced ADAS, but it covered the basics for its class and price point in Europe at the time, focusing on essential city driving aids.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

While the Mii Electric never officially hit US shores, SEAT typically offered a 2-year vehicle warranty in Europe, with the crucial battery pack covered for 8 years or around 100,000 miles against significant degradation. Powertrain components would also be under a similar multi-year warranty. Being an EV, maintenance is generally simpler and cheaper than a gas car – no oil changes to worry about! Just brakes, tires, and wiper fluid, making it a low-fuss ownership proposition for those who could get their hands on one.