Overview
Although the 2022 Mini Cooper Electric has shorter-than-average range, it addresses that demerit by being both more affordable and more entertaining to drive than many other small EVs. Based on the two-door Mini Cooper hardtop, the all-electric version combines zippy acceleration with go-kart-like handling. However, its battery pack is much smaller than most competitors’, which contributes to an estimated driving range of just 110 miles on a full charge. Even though it’s currently one of the least expensive EVs on the market, it still has a host of popular standard features. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Mini without quirky styling and myriad of customizable options. While it has a small back seat and limited cargo space, the 2022 Cooper Electric is perfect for urbanites who want a cool travel pod and rarely venture beyond the city limits.
What’s New for 2022?
For 2022, the electrified Cooper benefits from many of the same updates made to the gas-powered Mini hardtop and convertible. This includes revised front end styling, new personalization options, and fresh features. While the Cooper Electric doesn’t get a price increase versus the previous model year, it now comes standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, a heated steering wheel, lane-departure warning, and more. It’s also available with new wheel designs in 16- and 17-inch diameters. Mini says there will also be a limited edition that has unique exterior and interior treatments.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The 2022 Mini Cooper Electric costs the same as it did last year, and it’s also still eligible for a federal tax credit, which should shave $7500 off its starting price. That makes the base model a great value, offering plenty of standard features such as automatic dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, faux-leather upholstery, LED front lighting, hands-free passive entry, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The front-wheel-drive Electric’s motor makes 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, and it sources power from a 32.6-kWh battery pack (only 28.9 kWh is usable). When we sampled a prototype Mini Electric, we noted its zippy acceleration. Our most recent drive helped confirm our initial impressions, and the Mini’s trademark go-kart handling impressed us. We also saw it sprint to 60 mph in a tidy 6.1 seconds, which makes it quicker than other small EVs such as the Chevy Bolt EV (6.7 clicks). The model features two regenerative-braking modes: one that allows the car to coast much like a non-EV car when you lift off the accelerator and another that’s more aggressive and almost eliminates the need to touch the brake pedal.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The Mini Electric has an estimated driving range of 110 miles on a full charge, which is significantly shorter than what alternatives such as the Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf can cover. Mini says the car’s battery can be fast charged to 80 percent in 35 minutes. If you’re using home AC charging at 7.4 kilowatts, you can completely restore the battery in four hours. The little hatchback’s two-mode regenerative braking system also helps to maximize battery charge.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Mini Electric is expected to have a combined MPGe rating of 108. For comparison, the Bolt EV is rated at 118 MPGe combined and the Leaf is rated up to 111 MPGe combined. However, we won’t be able to confirm the Mini’s government estimate until we can test its real-world range on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. For more information about the Mini Electric’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Electric’s interior features a 5.5-inch digital gauge cluster that displays the battery’s charge level, driving range, nav info, and other infotainment functions. Every Mini Electric has dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and a unique heat-pump design that uses 75 percent less energy than a traditional electric heater when warming the passenger cabin. The introduction of ambient interior lighting, complete with six different colors, adds another funky dimension to the cabin. As with the gas-powered Mini Cooper, the back seat doesn’t offer much space, and cargo room is similarly limited.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The standard central touchscreen is an 8.8-inch unit with Apple CarPlay, built-in navigation, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A smartphone app enables Mini Electric owners to heat or cool their car’s interior to a desired temperature prior to climbing aboard. The Mini is also available with wireless charging and a Harman/Kardon audio system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Mini Electric does offer driver-assistance technology such as forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and rain-sensing windshield wipers and headlights. For more information about its crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning
- Available self-parking assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mini provides one of the better warranty plans compared with its competitors, and the company also includes substantial complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Electrical components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
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