Is the new Mini better than the petrol vehicle even if it is a significant improvement in electric form over the previous generation? To discover out, we drove with both versions. Which is better, the gasoline or electric Mini Cooper S vs. the Mini Cooper SE?
Remakes are seldom more well-liked than the original models, but the “new” Mini, which includes the Clubman and Countryman, has surpassed the sales of the original model. Sure, a few years ago the Alec Issigonis classic’s sales total was eclipsed by the BMW counterpart, which was initially introduced in 2001.
Over the 23 years since the German brand took over, the three-door hatchback’s basic design has seen just a minor evolution. Still, there have been multiple iterations of the BMW Mini. To be honest, we would not hold it against you if you had trouble differentiating between generations.
Does this also apply to the recently released fourth-generation model? Yes and no, then. As anticipated, the appearance has not altered significantly, but confusingly, there are now two distinct Mini hatchback models: one that runs on gasoline and the other that runs on batteries.
So if you have already made up your mind to buy a Mini hatchback, would gasoline or electric power be preferable? We choose to find out by taking both cars for a (pardon pun intended) short road trip to compare how practical they are, how they handle various conditions, and which is the more reasonable choice.
The difference.
We are not just talking about their propulsion systems when we say “totally different.” First up, we have the petrol-powered Mini, which is essentially a significantly upgraded model of the third-generation vehicle it replaces. It has the same engine lineup and the same chassis as the previous model, but as we will explain later, the inside is completely modified.
If you choose the entry-level Cooper C model, you will receive a 1.5-litre gasoline engine that produces 154 horsepower. However, the more potent Cooper S with its 2.0-litre gasoline engine producing 201 horsepower is what we are evaluating here. All petrol Mini hatchbacks now come standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission, which will not sit well with manual gearbox fans.
The most recent iteration of the Mini Electric (2020–2024) is built on entirely new underpinnings that are completely unrelated to those of the petrol car, thanks to a partnership between Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor and BMW. The previous version was essentially just an electric car with the engine removed and an electric motor and battery sneaked in.
Similar to the gasoline-powered predecessor, the electric Mini comes with two different power output options. The Cooper SE that we have in stock or the Cooper E, which has an 181 horsepower electric motor and a 36.6 kWh (usable capacity) battery, are your options. It comes with a larger 49.2kWh battery in addition to a more potent 215bhp motor.
The electric version has flush door handles and lacks the black plastic wheel arch extensions, so there is one less thing to worry about when trying to distinguish the two.
The money.
We were able to calculate the total cost of the trip by filling the petrol Mini to the brim and charging the electric version fully at Beaconsfield Services on the M40, where our adventure came to an end. Although the Cooper SE’s last few miles were a little nerve-wracking, it arrived with an indicated four miles of charge remaining.
Sadly, the Cooper S only managed an average of 30.5 mpg for the 279-mile trip. Based on the average cost of a litre of petrol in the UK at the time of writing, that would have fallen down to £60.46 from the £71.67 that it would have cost at motorway services gasoline prices.
The journey in the electrified Cooper SE set me around £62.55. It consumed 87.4 kWh in total, with an average efficiency of 3.5 miles per kWh, but only while charging using the priciest public charging network. The overall cost comes down to £33.63 if we assume that the final charge was made at home at the energy price cap of 22.4p per kWh. Furthermore, the amount would decrease even further to just £25.03 if you were on an inexpensive (7p per kWh) overnight contract.
The electric Cooper SE can operate at a far lower cost, but the initial cost of ownership is much higher. Let us assume that our two Minis were specified similarly, in Sport trim with the Level 2 pack, for a fair comparison. At £40,000, the Cooper SE would cost over £7,000 more than the Cooper S.
Even if it is not by much, the electric Mini is more expensive on PCP financing. The Cooper SE will cost you an extra £2785 over three years, or £4480 if you decide to buy it outright at the end of the agreement, with a £4000 deposit and an annual mileage cap of 10,000 miles.
The difference is significantly less when you add up all the expenses you will probably have over three years and 36,000 miles (fuel, insurance, servicing, and depreciation following an outright purchase). It would be significantly less expensive if you charged the Cooper SE entirely on an overnight tariff.
For work car drivers who are required to pay benefit in kind tax, choosing the electric version makes sense. If your tax rate is 40%, you will only have to pay £27 in taxes a month as opposed to £360 for the Cooper S.
Our conclusion.
There are good reasons and bad reasons to purchase a three-door Mini hatchback, but let us presume you have already made up your mind to do so.
Though you may be put off by its higher asking price at first, the electric version is, in our opinion, a fundamentally better vehicle. If you are wise about where and when to plug it in for charging, it can even end up costing less in the long term.
However, it is undeniable that the Cooper SE, like the majority of fully electric vehicles, is not going to be suitable for everyone. It becomes less appealing if, for example, you frequently travel long distances or are unable to plug it in at home.
Although we do believe the less expensive Cooper C makes more sense if you are buying a petrol version, the Cooper S is likely to disappoint because it has the same classic style and striking interior design.