Mini Cooper SE

Overview

The 2021 Mini Cooper EV SE, often dubbed the Mini Electric, electrifies the iconic British runabout, targeting city dwellers craving style and zero-emission thrills. This SE trim, though now discontinued, channelled that classic Mini go-kart agility into the EV sphere for a zippy urban drive. While new ones are off the cards, a used 2021 SE might be found for around €14,900 in Europe. It’s a characterful little hatch, prioritising personality over outright range, making it a top choice for darting through tight city streets and looking good doing it.

What's New for 2021?

For the 2021 model year, the Mini Cooper EV SE largely retained the successful formula from its 2020 debut in Europe. Significant updates to the Mini Electric line-up were generally introduced later, meaning this particular year didn't bring a massive overhaul of features or technology for the SE trim. It continued to serve up its distinctive electric powertrain and that undeniable Mini charm. Consider it a year of subtle polish on an already cheeky and cheerful electric package, maintaining its fun-to-drive city EV persona before more noticeable revisions arrived.

Design & Exterior

The 2021 Mini Cooper EV SE is pure, unadulterated Mini with a dash of electric zest. You get the unmistakable round headlights and compact, cheeky stance, measuring 3845 mm in length, 1727 mm in width (sans mirrors), and 1432 mm in height. The SE trim often sported EV-specific cues like a largely closed-off grille, frequently highlighted with vibrant Energetic Yellow touches, and unique alloy wheel designs that broadcast its electric heart. Those cool Union Jack rear lights, a Mini hallmark, were a common sight, ensuring it grabs attention wherever it goes.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the 2021 Cooper EV SE, and it’s classic Mini fun with decent quality materials, plenty of circular motifs, and satisfying toggle switches. It seats four, though it’s a tad cosy in the back for adults on longer jaunts. Boot space is a city-friendly 211 litres, expanding to 731 litres with the rear seats folded flat; unfortunately, there's no frunk for stashing charging cables. Tech-wise, a smart central display, typically an 8.8-inch screen, came as standard, usually featuring Apple CarPlay for seamless phone integration, though Android Auto was generally not on the menu.

Performance & Driving Experience

The 2021 Mini Cooper EV SE is a proper hoot to drive! Its front-wheel-drive system, powered by a lively 135 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, delivers a punchy 270 Nm of instant torque. This translates to a brisk 0-100 km/h sprint in just 7.3 seconds, with a top speed of 150 km/h. True to its roots, it offers that legendary go-kart handling – direct steering and a firm, engaging ride perfect for urban adventures. Selectable regenerative braking modes even allow for some enjoyable one-pedal driving.

Range, Battery & Charging

The SE draws its power from a 28.9 kWh usable battery pack. Green Cars Compare calculates a real-world range of approximately 184 km, with an efficiency of 6.37 km/kWh, making it well-suited for daily city driving. AC charging via its CCS Type 2 port is handled by a capable 11 kW on-board charger, allowing a full charge in around 3 hours. For quicker top-ups on the go, DC fast charging capability peaks at 49 kW, which can juice the battery from 10% to 80% in about 35 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While the 2021 Cooper EV SE itself wasn't specifically Euro NCAP tested, the standard Mini Cooper hatchback platform it shares has a solid safety reputation. Standard safety equipment typically included essential airbags and stability control systems. For driver assistance, rear parking sensors and basic cruise control were often part of the package. More advanced features like a reversing camera, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control were usually available through optional packs, so checking an individual car’s specification is key.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Owners of a 2021 Mini Cooper EV SE in Europe generally benefited from a vehicle warranty of around 3 years with unlimited kilometres. The critical high-voltage battery typically received longer coverage, commonly 8 years or 160,000 km, whichever occurred first, including a guarantee against excessive capacity loss (often to 70%). Being an EV, maintenance is generally less demanding and more affordable than its petrol counterparts, thanks to fewer moving parts, promising relatively straightforward ownership and lower running costs for this nippy electric city car.