Everything you need to know about the MINI Cooper SE

• Is the Mini Cooper SE a good car? 
• Who is the Mini Cooper SE a good car for?
• Is the Mini Cooper SE a good first car?
• Is the Mini Cooper SE a good family car?
• Is there a Hybrid Mini Cooper SE?
• What’s it like to drive? 
• Reviewer’s opinion
• What does it look like?
• What is the Mini Cooper SE like inside? 
• Tech features
• Price and specs
• Which is the cheapest Mini Cooper SE?
• How much does it cost?
• Similar Cars to the Mini Cooper SE 

In mid-2020 MINI South Africa entered the electric car space with the then-cheapest electric car you could buy locally. Due to its smaller stature and shorter range, they were not as popular as hoped but did move a few units to a younger audience that was infatuated with the charged-up styling and sporty handling. You can now find these on the used market and if an electrifying drive is on your books then this is everything that you need to know about the MINI Cooper SE.

In this article:

Is the Mini Cooper SE a good car? 

Debuting in mid-2020, The Mini Cooper SE was the first fully electric car in South Africa that retailed for under a million rand. With its compact size and sporty styling, the SE was set to bring battery electric cars to the masses. Its diminutive size would however be its flaw as most consumers in the EV buying space would be looking for a bigger battery and more space. This doesn’t mean that the SE isn’t a great vehicle and if you can find one we highly suggest taking this little electric rocket for a spin.

Who is the Mini Cooper SE a good car for?

The Mini Cooper SE is a good car for young professionals that are seeking a sporty city hatch that is going to save them on their fuel bill.

Is the Mini Cooper SE a good first car?

If these young professionals can get past the initial purchase price the MINI SE is a brilliant first car with its high level of technology, safety features and all-electric drive train

Is the Mini Cooper SE a good family car?

Due to the minimal space, the SE may not be best suited to families. The boot is only 211l due to the battery pack which sits below the rear seat and boot floor.

Is there a Hybrid Mini Cooper SE?

The SE hatch is a fully electric vehicle and as such, there is no hybrid option.

View the latest used Mini Cooper SE for sale in South Africa

What’s it like to drive? 

Reviewer’s opinion

The MINI SE does have a relatively small battery, it has a 32.6kW/h hour battery fitted giving it an effective range of 217km in SA on a full charge. It will do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 secs and top out at 150km/h but you do get all that power and torque in one big lump straight off the bat. It actually makes 135kW and 270Nm making it rather sprightly and nippy when you put your foot down.

– Chad Luckhoff, AutoTrader

What does it look like?

Exterior

Interior

What is the Mini Cooper SE like inside? 

The MINI SE is packed with futuristic-looking tech and gadgets with enough stylistic lighting and design features to appeal to the youthful audience. There is a definite aesthetic leaning toward the tech-savvy city dweller.

Style

Soft supple leather, piano black trim, and chunky easy-to-use switch gear dominate the interior. The large circular bezel is the central design element that contains all the user interfaces such as infotainment, navigation, and vehicle controls, and has some clean and clear animations for the vehicle and its drive modes.

Tech features

• 3 Drive modes
• Apple Car Play and Android Auto
• Climate control
• Design animations 
• Digital displays

Price and specs

Which is the cheapest Mini Cooper SE?

The cheapest Mini Cooper SE is the 3-door hatch – Pricing starts at R 723 000

Search the latest New and Used Mini Cooper SE deals in South Africa

How much does it cost?

*Pricing correct at time of publishing and subject to change without notice.

Competitors

Similar Cars to the Mini Cooper SE 

There are currently no similar vehicles to the MINI Cooper SE available in SA. The closest models we have tested are as follows.

Volvo XC40 P6

Read our latest Volvo XC40 P6 Recharge reviews

Search the latest new and used Volvo XC40 P6 for sale in South Africa

Volvo XC40 P8

Read our latest Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge reviews

Search the latest new and used Volvo XC40 P8 for sale in South Africa

Volkswagen e-Golf

Read our latest Volkswagen e-Golf reviews

Lawrence MinnieLawrence has been involved with motorsports for almost 30 years. Whether it's two wheels or four, if it has an engine, he will try to race it. This love of motor vehicles has led him to ride, drive, film, photograph, and write about his passion. Freelance for a while but now a permanent fixture on the AutoTrader team for over 7 years, Lawrence contributes written, photographic, and video content for AutoTrader and AutoTrader Bikes.View News & Reviews

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