The 2025 Mini Cooper Electric finally looks like what fans wanted all along: the classic go‑kart Mini, only properly modern and genuinely usable as an everyday EV. More range, more space, wilder tech, same goofy grin on your face. The question is whether that charm is enough to offset its modest battery and so‑so charging in a world of ever‑longer‑range small EVs.
Two Flavors of Electric Mini
2025 Mini Cooper Electric at a Glance
Quick Stats: 2025 Mini Cooper Electric
Mini has overhauled its small EV for 2025. The outgoing U.S.‑market Mini Cooper SE was a lovable toy with an official 114‑mile EPA range, fine as a third car, marginal as a primary one. The new Cooper E and Cooper SE ride on a dedicated EV platform, with batteries up to 54.2 kWh and targeted ranges around 150–175 miles (E) and roughly 200 miles (SE) on U.S. testing, a substantial leap over the old car. That still trails the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric or Chevy Equinox EV on paper, but it finally moves Mini from quirky experiment to plausible daily driver.
U.S. Availability Caveat
Powertrains, Range, and Key Specs
2025 Mini Cooper Electric: Core Specs
How the Cooper E and Cooper SE stack up on the numbers.
| Model | Battery (usable est.) | Power | 0–62 mph | Targeted Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper E | ~36–37 kWh (40.7 kWh gross) | 181 hp FWD | ~7.3 s | Up to ~190 miles WLTP, roughly 150–175 miles EPA-equivalent |
| Cooper SE | ~49–49.2 kWh (54.2 kWh gross) | 215–218 hp FWD | ~6.7 s | Up to ~250 miles WLTP, roughly ~200 miles EPA-equivalent |
Figures are manufacturer targets or WLTP-based estimates; final EPA ratings may differ.
Day to day, both versions of the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric feel quick enough. This isn’t a Tesla Plaid situation; it’s more like a spicy hot hatch. The Cooper E gives you traditional Mini punch off the line, easily out‑sprinting traffic up to city speeds. Step up to the SE and the extra power mostly shows up in passing and on‑ramp work, where the stronger motor and bigger battery let you lean on the accelerator without watching the state of charge plummet quite so fast.
Real‑World Range Expectations
Charging the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric
Charging performance is where the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric tells on itself. These are small batteries, which is good for weight and city agility, but it also means Mini didn’t bother chasing headline‑grabbing charging peaks. The Cooper E tops out around 75 kW on DC fast chargers, while the Cooper SE can hit roughly 95–100 kW. That’s a real improvement over the previous Mini SE’s 50 kW cap, but still conservative compared with newer rivals that live in the 150–200 kW range.
Charging Times and Use Cases
What living with a Mini EV charger actually looks like
At Home (Level 2)
On a 7–11 kW Level 2 home charger, you’re looking at roughly 7 hours for a full charge on the Cooper E and about 8 hours on the SE. In other words: plug in when you get home, wake up to a full ‘tank’ every morning.
Public DC Fast Charging
On a capable DC fast charger, plan for about 30 minutes to go from 10–80% in either model. The SE’s larger battery means you net more miles in that half‑hour, but neither car is an interstate road‑trip hero.
Emergency Level 1
On a standard 120V outlet, you’re creeping along at a few miles of range per hour. Fine for topping off a commuter Mini if you’re patient, but long‑term you’ll want a proper Level 2 solution at home or work.
Fast Charging Reality Check
One upside: the car uses the standard CCS DC fast‑charge port and Type 2/CCS architecture globally, making it compatible with the vast majority of existing public chargers. As North America transitions to the NACS (Tesla) connector over the next few years, expect adapters and future updates, but in the near term your Mini will be happiest sipping from today’s CCS networks.
On-Road Impressions: Still a Go-Kart, Now Quieter
The point of a Mini has never been numbers on a spec sheet; it’s the feeling. The 2025 Mini Cooper Electric, especially in SE guise, still delivers that go‑kart handling that made the brand famous. With the battery tucked low in the floor, it feels planted and eager, snout darting toward apexes with a flick of your wrists. Steering is quick if a bit artificially weighted, and the short wheelbase keeps the car playful on a winding road, sometimes more playful than passengers might prefer.
Ride Quality
Here’s where the story becomes a little more adult. The old electric Mini could feel busy or even punishing on rough pavement. The 2025 car is more composed: still firm, but less crashy over broken city streets. Larger‑diameter wheels will undo some of that good work, so if you care about comfort, resist the urge to chase the biggest wheels on the options list.
Performance Character
In both E and SE trims, acceleration is brisk rather than brutal. From 0–30 mph it feels instantly responsive, the classic EV party trick, then settles into a strong, linear pull up to highway speeds. The SE in particular has enough shove for confident merging and two‑lane passing, but never feels like novelty drag‑racing hardware. This is playful performance, not a numbers game.
The Intangible Win
Interior, Tech, and Daily Usability
Open the door and you step into Mini’s most radical interior since the brand was reborn. A 9.4‑inch circular OLED in the center does double duty as infotainment and instrument cluster, running a Mini‑skinned operating system built on Android. The dashboard is wrapped in woven, recycled textile that serves as a projection surface for ambient light shows and various drive‑mode theatrics. It’s whimsical, occasionally distracting, and absolutely on‑brand.
Interior Highlights of the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric
Where it nails the brief, and where it doesn’t
Circular OLED Screen
The main display is bright, crisp, and genuinely fun to use once you acclimate. Some basic info (speed, state of charge) lives on the upper band, while maps and apps occupy the center.
Phone-Like UX
The new OS borrows heavily from smartphones in layout and behavior. That makes it more intuitive for most drivers, though the depth of menus can feel excessive at first.
Space & Practicality
It’s still a three‑door Mini. Front occupants get decent space and supportive seats; rear passengers are on short‑trip duty only, and the trunk is acceptable for city life but not generous.
Material quality is mostly solid for the segment, with the caveat that this is a style‑driven cabin first and a hard‑wearing workhorse second. Think of it as a boutique sneaker, not a steel‑toed boot. Visibility is good, maneuverability in tight urban cores is excellent, and parking one of these in a crowded garage feels like cheating.
Living Small, Packing Smart
Pricing, Value, and How It Compares
Mini hasn’t finalized U.S. pricing for the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric as of this writing, but expect it to land as a premium small EV, priced above mass‑market compacts but below luxury crossovers. For reference, the outgoing Mini Cooper SE started around $32,000 before incentives. With the added range, tech, and new platform, it’s reasonable to expect the 2025 Cooper E and SE to climb a few thousand beyond that, especially once you start layering on cosmetic trims and options.
2025 Mini Cooper Electric vs Key Rivals
How the Mini’s expected specs and positioning compare to other small EVs.
| Model | Approx. Range (EPA) | Starting Price (est.) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Cooper E (2025) | ~150–175 mi | Low–mid $30Ks | Premium city hatch, style-first |
| Mini Cooper SE (2025) | ~200 mi | Mid–high $30Ks | More power, better range, same size |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 260–300+ mi | Low–mid $30Ks | Practical, efficient, less playful |
| Chevy Equinox EV | 250–300+ mi | Low–mid $30Ks | Family-friendly crossover, strong value |
| Nissan Leaf (remaining stock/used) | ~150–215 mi | Budget/used-focused | Aging tech, decent value, less charm |
Approximate ranges and prices; check current data when you shop.
You’re Paying for Personality
Who the 2025 Mini Electric Is (and Isn’t) For
Is the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric Right for You?
1. You Mostly Drive in the City or Suburbs
The Mini Electric thrives on sub‑50‑mile days, urban commutes, and short hops where its compact size and instant torque really shine.
2. You Have Reliable Home or Workplace Charging
A dedicated Level 2 charger turns the Mini into a no‑drama daily. Without it, the limited range and modest DC speeds become much more noticeable.
3. You Prioritize Fun Over Utility
If you want a small EV that feels special every time you drive it, the Mini delivers. If you need kid‑hauling flexibility and cargo space, a small crossover EV is a better call.
4. You’re Okay Being ‘Range-Aware’
Owning a Mini Electric means planning around a ~200‑mile envelope, not 300+. For many drivers that’s fine; for frequent long‑distance travelers it’s a deal‑breaker.
Who Should Probably Skip It
Buying a Used Mini Cooper Electric with Confidence
Because the new‑generation car may arrive later in the U.S., the most realistic way to get into an electric Mini in the near term is via the used Mini Cooper SE, the outgoing model with the smaller battery and 114‑mile EPA range. That car can be a fantastic urban runabout, but you absolutely want to understand how the battery is aging and how the price compares to newer‑tech rivals.
Smart Steps for Shopping a Used Mini Cooper Electric
Where Recharged fits into the picture
Know the Battery’s Real Health
The battery pack is the heart of any used EV’s value. Every EV on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified battery health diagnostics, so you’re not guessing about degradation.
Understand Total Value
Mini’s charm can mask the fact that other used EVs may offer more range for similar money. Recharged benchmarks fair market pricing across the used EV market and can help you compare a used Mini SE against alternatives like the Leaf, Bolt EUV, or Kona Electric.
Financing and Trade‑In
If you’re coming out of a gas Mini, or any ICE car, Recharged can help you trade in or get an instant offer, then roll that value into a used EV. There’s EV‑savvy financing and the whole process is fully digital, from browsing to paperwork.
Delivery and Support
Recharged offers nationwide delivery and EV‑specialist support if you’re new to electric ownership. Want to see, touch, and drive before deciding? You can also visit the Recharged Experience Center in Richmond, VA to talk through range, charging, and model comparisons in person.
2025 Mini Cooper Electric FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Bottom Line: Should You Buy the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric?
The 2025 Mini Cooper Electric is not the rational choice in the small‑EV segment. It is, instead, the deliberate choice: a statement that you care as much about how your EV feels and looks as you do about range numbers and dollars per kilowatt‑hour. In Cooper SE form, it finally has enough battery to function as a genuine daily driver for urban and suburban life, and enough charging speed that you won’t dread the occasional DC stop.
If you need maximum range, space, or value, plenty of other EVs will beat it on the spreadsheet. But if your driving reality fits within a roughly 200‑mile bubble and you want a car that makes the mundane parts of life feel just a little more cinematic, the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric belongs on your short list. And if you’d prefer to let someone else take the first‑owner depreciation hit, a used Mini Cooper SE, backed by a Recharged Score Report, fair‑market pricing, and expert EV guidance, can deliver most of the same smiles for a lot less money.
