The Cooper SE is quicker, more fun to drive and has a more premium feel than any EV in its class. But it's pricey compared to those rivals, and aside from charm, you don't get a lot for your money. Most glaring of all is the lack of range compared to other EVs at this price. Fun as it may be, it's hard to recommend it as anything beyond a second, easy-to-park vehicle.Read full review
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
Pros
Nimble size and handling make it fun to drive
One of the most affordable EVs you can buy
Upscale cabin design
Cons
Not as much range as other EVs
Two-door layout and small back seat limit utility
Choppy ride on bumpy roads
What's new
The base Classic trim returns to the lineup
Minor feature availability changes
Part of the third Hardtop generation introduced for 2014
Overview
The 2024 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop 2 Door is the smallest vehicle in Mini's lineup, and it's also one of the most affordable EVs you can get today. It's based on the gas-powered Mini Cooper, which was last redesigned a decade ago, and this year the big news is the return of the entry-level Classic trim. Other changes are very minor since the Mini is due for a full makeover for the 2025 model year.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
MINI Hardtop 2 Door EV Insights
Trim:
Hardtop 2 Door Cooper SE
Range
edmunds TESTED
129 miles
Edmunds Tested RangeEdmunds begins with a full battery charge and drives the vehicle on a mix of city and highway roads (approximately 60% city, 40% highway) until the battery is almost entirely empty. (We target 10 miles of remaining range for safety.) The miles traveled and the indicated remaining range are added together for the Edmunds Tested Range figure.
EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 110 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Ashburn, Virginia. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.
Plug Type
No charging time information available
EV Battery Warranty
8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
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Cost to Drive
$55/mo
Hardtop 2 Door
vs
$153/mo
Car Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
Am I Ready for an EV?
EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet) This typically means a 240V home installation, or other places your car is parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice.
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in This is an estimate for your area. Using your address and the answers you provide, Treehouse can provide a more accurate price.
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn moreEdmunds customers receive a 10% installation discount and 4% smart charger discount. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
Mini Coopers are known for being one of the more entertaining choices, and the all-electric SE is no different. With 181 horsepower and instant acceleration, this little hatchback also benefits from a low center of gravity courtesy of the batteries mounted low to the ground. That keeps Mini's penchant for sporty handling in the spotlight. But just make sure you don't get carried away. The SE is only estimated to go 114 miles on a single charge, and that's if you're driving conservatively. We point out its advantages in our test team's Expert Rating below, but you may want to wait for the next-generation electric Mini, which we expect will bring improved performance and range.
Competitors to consider
The Nissan Leaf is another affordable EV, with range estimates that span from 149 to 212 miles on a full charge. It's not as fun to drive as the Mini, and it doesn't have as much personality, but if you're interested, act fast because Nissan has plans to discontinue it soon. Outside of the Leaf, you'd have to step up to the subcompact SUVs that include the Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia Niro EV and Kia EV6.
What’s it like to live with?
To get a more complete ownership experience, Edmunds added a 2023 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door to its long-term test fleet. Over the course of a year, we're covering everything you need to know about the Mini, including performance, comfort, convenience, and any bright spots or drawbacks. Check out the latest impressions here.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.3
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Cooper SE is quicker, more fun to drive and has a more premium feel than any EV in its class. But it's pricey compared to those rivals, and aside from charm, you don't get a lot for your money. Most glaring of all is the lack of range compared to other EVs at this price. Fun as it may be, it's hard to recommend it as anything beyond a second, easy-to-park vehicle.
How does the Hardtop 2 Door drive? The Cooper SE simply feels like an electric version of the gas-powered Mini Cooper S. With a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, the Cooper SE is quicker than cars like the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona EV, Nissan Leaf and Kia Niro EV. Its braking performance and road handling grip are superior too. Plus, the plentiful low-end torque and pocket-sized dimensions make the car feel quick and zippy around town. The brake pedal feels firm and well tuned, with no vagueness that you feel in some other EVs. The Mini allows for one-pedal driving, which means the car has strong regenerative braking and comes to a complete stop without having to push on the brake pedal.
The Cooper SE feels heavier than other Minis, but Mini's engineers have done a solid job of keeping it from feeling porky. Body roll is mild, and the car has a hot-hatch feel on a winding road. Our biggest complaint is the steering. It doesn't provide much road feel and isn't quick to return to center. There was a significant amount of torque steer if the wheels weren't dead straight, meaning there's tugging on the wheel when you exit a corner.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Hardtop 2 Door? The Cooper SE's small size and sporty demeanor are a slight detriment to comfort. We wouldn't call it uncomfortable, but the ride is on the firmer side, especially on undulating and uneven pavement. Surprisingly, the ride settles down at highway speeds, though you still feel quite a bit of the road surface. The sporty seats are bolstered and supportive but not so much that they feel tight or confining. The padding is on the firm side both front and rear, though the back isn't much good for anyone but a small child.
The climate control knobs are placed a bit low to see but are easy to reach. Dual-zone climate control is standard, though the lack of a sync button is a bit of an oversight. The heated seats work very well and very quickly. The vents are well placed, and the small cabin heats up and cools down fairly quickly, and they aren't overly loud at full blast. Road noise is decent, but there's a bit of wind noise at highway speeds. The electric powertrain keeps things quiet around town.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The Mini Cooper's interior is generally unchanged from when this generation debuted except for some higher-resolution screens and some accent lighting. There are buttons and switches for most major controls, and the infotainment system can be operated using either a touchscreen or with a knob mounted near the shifter. The menu system is fairly straightforward to use, and the dual control scheme is helpful. Some of the switches are placed a little low, so you have to glance down until you build muscle memory.
The driver's seat offers decent adjustment in all directions, so it's not difficult to find a comfortable seating position. We would like a little more reach on the wheel, but it's a minor complaint. People of any height should be comfortable in the front seats, and while the rear offers decent headroom, legroom is extremely limited. Getting in and out isn't too difficult. This small car has large door openings, and the ride height isn't too low. The front seats slide forward easily for rear access. Good visibility is afforded by the upright windows and relatively thin pillars. It's super easy to see out in traffic or while parking.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $2,902 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $2,902 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Cooper SE trim.
2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Electric pricing in Ashburn, VA
How’s the tech? Like much of the rest of the Cooper, the car's in-car tech is starting to show its age. The navigation screen offers decent resolution and is easy to operate, though the live traffic can make it seem a bit cluttered if you're zoomed out. If you prefer to use your phone, the Cooper SE comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay; Android Auto is unavailable either wired or wireless. There's only a single USB-A port and no wireless charging pad. The car has voice commands for things like inputting a destination into the navigation or changing the radio, though you can't adjust the climate control or some other advanced functions like with some rivals. Driver aids are limited too. You can't get blind-spot warning or adaptive cruise control on the Cooper SE, for example.
Storage
5.5/10
How’s the storage? The Mini's small size means cargo space is fairly tight, especially compared to its rivals. The hatch opens to an 8.7-cubic-foot cargo area, roughly half the space of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which itself offers less than other rivals. The rear seats fold flat in a 60/40-split, opening the cargo area to 34 cubic feet, though that figure, too, is less than the competition. The hatch opening is fairly square and upright, so getting things inside shouldn't be a huge pain. The battery is packaged well and takes up no discernable space in the cabin or cargo area relative to the standard Mini Cooper.
Storage up front isn't much better. The door pockets are barely large enough for a slim water bottle, and the cupholders aren't much larger. The center console is large enough for a phone or sunglasses but not both. We also never found a great spot to put our phone while it was plugged in.
It should come as no surprise that the Cooper is limited when it comes to accommodating car seats. The Isofix anchors are easy to access, but you have to contort just to get in there. Larger, rear-facing seats are basically a nonstarter — it's simply too tight to squeeze one through the door opening.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Range and Efficiency
6/10
How are the range and efficiency? The Mini Cooper SE has an EPA-estimated range of 114 miles; we managed a bit better, traveling 129 miles on our real-world EV range route. It's worth noting that the figure is worse than the last Cooper electric we tested, which managed 150 miles on a single charge. But no matter how you slice it, range is well off any rival and among the worst you'll find on any new electric vehicle these days. The EPA rates consumption at 31 kWh/100 miles, though we measured 25.3 kWh/100 miles. That's fairly decent, so while the Mini might not have a lot of range, it's fairly efficient at using what's available.
Value
7/10
Is the Hardtop 2 Door a good value? Simply put, it's hard to overlook how little range you get for the money. When rivals like Chevrolet and Nissan offer cars with more range for thousands of dollars less than Mini, it's hard to make a case for the Cooper. But it's not all bad news. Build quality is excellent, and the Cooper SE has a more premium feel than its rivals, including the Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV.
Mini offers a four-year/50,000-mile basic and drivetrain warranty, which is good but not class-leading. There's also an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery. Mini also includes four years/unlimited miles of roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of maintenance.
Wildcard
8.5/10
The Mini Cooper SE is unabashedly a hot hatch. Separating it from basically everything else in its class is the Cooper SE's sporty, fun-to-drive nature. Because an electric motor produces so much low-end torque, all EVs feel quick around the city. But the Cooper SE feels zippy and joyful, with the same sharp handling as the gas-powered Cooper. While everyone else in the class is putting fuel-efficient low-rolling-resistance tires on all of their cars, the Mini's summer tires help it feel sharp in a corner. It's details like summer tires and the sporty suspension that make the car enjoyable.
And as a Mini, the Cooper SE oozes charm. You either buy into the Mini vibe or you don't, but if it's your thing then the Cooper SE delivers. For better or worse, it's nearly identical to the gas-powered Cooper S. Other than a few green accents and a lack of exhaust tips, there are no tells. Unlike the Nissan Leaf, it doesn't scream electric. It merely suggests that it's electric.
Which Hardtop 2 Door does Edmunds recommend?
One of the all-electric SE Hardtop 2 Door's greatest attributes is its accessible price point. For that reason, we suggest sticking with the entry-level Classic trim. It comes with a long list of features and the Signature trim just doesn't add enough items to justify its price.
The Cheapest EVs You Can Buy Today | Most Affordable Electric Cars & SUVs for 2024
NOTE: This video is about the 2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door, but since the 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
While electric vehicles, in general, remain pricier than their internal combustion-engine counterparts, there are still a decent number of affordable models to choose from — some of which may surprise you. In this video, Edmunds’ Nick Yekikian goes through the cheapest EVs currently available!
Key safety features on the Hardtop 2 Door include:
Back-up camera
Lane Departure Warning
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
4 / 5
Driver
4 / 5
Passenger
5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
4 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
4 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
3 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
5 / 5
Back Seat
3 / 5
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
11.1%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
FAQ
Is the MINI Hardtop 2 Door a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Hardtop 2 Door both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.3 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Hardtop 2 Door has 8.7 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a MINI Hardtop 2 Door. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door:
The base Classic trim returns to the lineup
Minor feature availability changes
Part of the third Hardtop generation introduced for 2014
To determine whether the MINI Hardtop 2 Door is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Hardtop 2 Door. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Hardtop 2 Door's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 Hardtop 2 Door and gave it a 7.3 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Hardtop 2 Door is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door?
The least-expensive 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door is the 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Cooper SE 2dr Hatchback (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $30,900.
Other versions include:
Cooper SE 2dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $30,900
What are the different models of MINI Hardtop 2 Door?
If you're interested in the MINI Hardtop 2 Door, the next question is, which Hardtop 2 Door model is right for you? Hardtop 2 Door variants include Cooper SE 2dr Hatchback (electric DD). For a full list of Hardtop 2 Door models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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