Mini Cooper SE Australian review

Fans of turbocharged power and early adopters for the electric age will be pleased by Mini’s approach to the new Cooper hatch.

David McCowen

@davemccowen

3 min read

July 30, 2024 - 10:56AM

Motoring

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Mini customers face an important decision when considering a new Cooper.

Next-gen examples of the brand’s classic hatchback can be sourced from the UK or made in China.

Far from being a discount pick, the latter is the more expensive, hi-tech option.

The new Cooper SE is unmistakably Mini. Photo: Supplied

That’s because electric Minis are built in China under a joint venture with Great Wall Motors, while petrol-powered versions come from Mini’s traditional Oxford plant in England.

The brand’s designers worked hard to make sure both cars looked and felt like a modern Mini.

Tough to discern from a distance, the duo have the same headlights, tail-lights and basic shape, though the electric version is a few centimetres longer.

Electric (left) and petrol (right) versions look quite similar. Photo: Supplied

It looks sharp to our eyes – compact and cute with taut surfaces.

Both cars share an interior that is a triumph of modern design.

A tribute to the classic Mini Cooper, the space was shaped by an ethos of “charismatic simplicity”, trading cabin clutter for a handful of beautifully finished elements.

The highlight is an exquisite circular screen in the centre of the dashboard.

Mini’s cabin has a design delight. Photo: Supplied.

Crisp looks, fast responses and a level of customisation we’ve not seen before make it a real asset to the car. There preset themes accompanied by soft ambient lighting meet your mood, or you can replace the standard graphics with favourite pictures and watch their colours flow across a dashboard trimmed in textured woven material.

It even has “augmented reality” sat nav with a live video feed of the road ahead, and a selfie “camera” to record photos and videos from road trips – but only when the car is parked.

A subtle head-up display puts the speedo and other information in front of the driver.

Surprisingly spacious up front (rear accommodation is cramped) and beautifully finished, the Mini’s cabin is really something.

The Cooper S has lovely materials. Photo: Supplied.

It might be the most impressive interior in a car for less than $100,000.

Five toggles under the screen include a twisting, key-like switch to start the car.

What happens next is your choice.

The standard Cooper starts from about $47,000 drive-away and has a throbby 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that uses 6.0L/100km to make 115kW and 230Nm, reaching 100km/h in a none-too-hurried 7.9 seconds.

Petrol models are cheaper to buy. Photo: Supplied.

Sportier Mini Cooper S models available from about $55,000 drive-away have a punchy 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that needs 6.3L/100km of fuel to produce 150kW and 300Nm, enough to reach 100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Combustion-powered cars drive the front wheels through seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

All models have five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranties. A couple of optional equipment packs simplify the lengthy extras list of previous models while adding features such as a panoramic sunroof, a Harman Kardon stereo and heated seats.

Mini’s OLED display is gorgeous. Photo: Supplied.

Folks ready to make the jump to battery power can choose the Cooper E, which costs about $60,000 drive-away and combines a 135kW motor with a 41kWh battery offering a claimed 305 kilometres of range.

Those who want more can upgrade to the Mini Cooper SE, which has a more powerful 160kW motor and larger 54kWh battery to return 402 kilometres of range for about $65,000 drive-away.

Performance is broadly similar to petrol versions – the electric Cooper needs 7.3 seconds to sprint to 100km/h, while the faster version completes the dash in 6.7 seconds.

They drive the front wheels through single-speed transmissions.

The electric Coopers will charge from zero to 80 per cent of battery capacity in about 30 minutes and Mini reckons they are likely to be used as urban runabouts.

The electric Mini Cooper is zippy but has limited range. Photo: Supplied

r as the second car in a multi-vehicle family.

The driving experience delivers exactly what you’d expect from an electric Mini. Fast steering and stiff suspension return real agility that makes the car fun to hustle in the city, at a cost to ride refinement on rough roads. Urgent responses to throttle inputs are worthy of the Cooper S badge, and it even has a fun synthesised soundtrack that amplifies Mini’s “go kart” character.

Many will pick the electric model.

But keen drivers might prefer the petrol Cooper S.

Lighter and sharper, with less inertia to dull wheel and pedal inputs, it feels closer in nature to the original Mini.