Next-Gen Mini Cooper SE Range Real-World Tested

Mini has a no-muss, no-fuss type of reputation. I mean, come on—this is practically the last brand people can associate with performance…initiatives after all these years. As a cute design that has persisted for the past so many years, this not only serves as branding but is also relation-focused. The classic Mini hatch receives a major update in 2024 $end_of_the_skype_highlighting, with new powertrains.

Our attention today goes to the front-wheel-drive Mini Cooper SE electric, which has a 218 hp motor and a new, substantially larger scaled up from 32.6 kWh to 54.2 kWh in capacity – with a corresponding increase in dimension too of+ 40%. But it is also intended to increase the range of the new model can travel before requiring another charge — a significant limitation in the case of the earlier electric Mini variants. Look for our full Mini Cooper SE review soon that gets into all of the nitty-gritty details about this pint-sized EV. But for now, the topic remains its per-charge travel range.

In our familiarization test loop, which is the route we take for every vehicle over and over at reasonable speeds to get a consistent seat-of-the-pant feeling of the cars we drive; to check our photography access points; to make sure the air-con works while we shoot under the midday sun; it proved reliable. Indeed, the 64°F ambient temperature during my Mini Cooper SE testing helped make some of the overall good performance of the new Mini happen.

The Mini exhibited great motor efficiency and onboard electronics performance when traveling—a bit slow even at just 37 mph during cruising. The battery capacity gains notwithstanding, the Mini battery remains one of the smallest in the industry, especially at its price point.

Results of the Range Test

At 37 mph

At 56 mph

847 miles to 84 mph617 miles at 74 mph518 miles- 3.7 miles per kilowatt-hour at 88°FTesla Model S “75D” (2018, used)

212 miles on a combined cycle (2.9 miles per kilowatt-hour) at 63°F

Volkswagen ID.4 GTX

The zonal range is 210 miles with a 3.2-mile-per-kWh consumption at 73 degrees: UIControlState

Nissan Ariya 87 kWh FWD

Range: 209 miles full charge, at a consumption rate of 2.7 miles/kwh in 63°F

Hyundai Ioniq 6 LR AWD

52°F = 209 miles per full charge, consumption rate of 2.4 miles/kWh

2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range

2.8 miles per kilowatt-hr (75°F)208 full charge miles

BMW i5

At 100°F, its range drops to 204 miles on a full charge based on a consumption rate of 2.8 miles per kilowatt-hour

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Electric Range: 204 miles (37°F and 2.5 mi/kWh)→Full-charge energy consumption rate: 2.5 miles per kilowatt-hour; for every hour of charging at a Level 2 station, get about__________of driving range when you start+37degF_______________←204[…]

Hyundai Ioniq 5 77.4 kWh AWD

156 miles per gallon-equivalent Rated Energy consumption: 2.6 miles/kWh Unadjusted range137 milescity199 mileshighway168…

BMW iX2 xDrive30

Range: 189 miles full charge (EPA avg), 2.7 m/kw at 73°F

Polestar 2

Range: 186 miles (WLTP) Consumption rate (miles/kWh): 2.9 miles/kWh Temperature control in one direction (68° F)

Kia EV9 99.8 kWh AWD

59°F RESS consumption rate = 2.6 miles/kWh (full charge)180-mile full charge

Hyundai Kona Electric 64kWh

52 °F – 1.9 miles per kilowatt-hour — full charge= up to 175 miles

Renault Megane E-Tech EV60

170 miles @ 2.7 miles/kWh and 52°F full charge

Volkswagen ID.Buzz

Around 163 miles at 86°F; 2.8 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh) when fully charged

Hyundai Kona Electric 65.4kWh

Distance on Charge: 162 miles (EPA) Energy consumption: 2.1 miles per kilowatt-hour (normalized based on a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit)

Mini Cooper SE

52°F, 100% charge range: 157 miles with consumption of 2.5 miles/kWh

Volvo EX30 Performance

156 miles per full charge and utilizing 3.2 miles/kWh at 64°F

Peugeot e-2008

Forecast: 2.6 miles per kilowatt-hour at 64°F; 144 miles per full charge

Jeep Avenger

Range: 142 milesBody Style: HatchbackBlurry PNG 2000 × 1013 PX, Image Source:autoevolution

Fiat 500e

119 miles (2.8 miles per Kw at 79°F full charge)

More: Audi RS e-tron GT Performance

The Mini Cooper SE consumes a little more energy than the Peugeot 208, but still remains efficient at its next speed of 56 mph and performs similarly to a Fiat 500e through this test cycle. Despite the rumors about its baggage, the Mini can actually seat four fairly comfortably, and given the price point it falls into, that alone makes it an enticing choice. Its energy consumption goes up significantly when the Mini gets to its top speed of 81 mph because the car’s small footprint and low wheelbase don’t help in any way at that speed. It’s a blast to drive around the city (and up Twisty Mountain) though No – I mean at high speeds, it would remain in the slower lanes. The Mini Cooper SE presents a highly fuel-efficient face to the world, but its small battery makes it among the lowest-ranking electric cars in use. Energy efficiency continues to be at the top of the priorities list for users who have few recharging opportunities such as public charging, but for those with regular long commute lengths more recharging points will likely be needed. Check out the handy widget above to calculate what kind of range you can expect from the Mini Cooper SE at various speeds and temperatures, as realized in our dynamic testing before it was run through a complex model that crunched more than 14 million data points.