Want to know the top reasons why MINI’s pace-setting electric hatchback could be perfect for you? We asked a MINI Electric owner to tell us all…
The MINI Electric inspires passion in everyone who drives it, thanks to its head-turning style and addictive driving character, its rapid recharging, and its cool tech-packed interior. That’s why we asked three MINI Electric drivers to explain to us why they love it so much.
Alongside Iola and Monwar – who also picked their favourite MINI Electric features and their top tips for making the electric switch – we asked South London-based chiropractor Misty to tell us her MINI Electric story in her own words.
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“I love how my MINI Electric looks”
“I’ve always loved how the MINI looks. I toyed with getting one for ages, but I also wanted to go electric, so the MINI Electric was the perfect fit. I love its British links. The Union Jack rear lights are super cool, and I adore the sporty style.
“With mine, I wanted everything blacked out: wing mirrors, wheels, bodywork, everything! I particularly love my MINI Electric’s Enigmatic Black paint. It has a lovely iridescence to it, so in certain lights it looks pure black, and sometimes navy.
“I think other brands have too much choice and options, but the MINI Electric offered just the right amount of customisation to make it feel unique to me. I don’t think I’ve seen another MINI Electric that looks exactly like mine.”
Has the MINI Electric sparked your interest? Take a 24-hour test drive
“It feels like you’re driving a go-kart”
“I really enjoy driving, and I think that’s what I love most about the MINI Electric: how fun it is behind the wheel. I’d never driven an electric car before, and I was surprised at just how nippy the MINI Electric can be. It’s the perfect size for cutting through busy traffic, and the electric power is so responsive.
“The one-pedal driving, thanks to the regenerative braking, quickly became second nature, and I like that I rarely have to use the brake pedal around town. I just take my foot off the accelerator, and it slows down. It feels like a go-kart, and it’s nice knowing that, while you’re slowing, the car is putting power back into the battery. It makes you a more confident, alert and efficient driver, as the display shows how many kilowatts you’re using, and how much charge you’re regenerating.
“The MINI Electric has other cool features that help you preserve your range. The different driving modes are great. There’s Sport, Mid, Green and Green+. I’m almost always in Green mode. I drive to Dorset regularly, and it’s great for long journeys. I’ve always got plenty of range, and the handling – the way the MINI Electric goes round country roads – feels great. It’s so smooth. A lot of thought has gone into making it fun and comfortable.”
Fancy getting behind the wheel of the MINI Electric? Take a 24-hour test drive
“The MINI Electric makes charging easy”
“I have to say, I was a bit worried about ‘range anxiety’. I didn’t ever want to be on a long journey without enough charge. But, with the MINI Electric, I’ve had absolutely no problems. It’s exactly what I need. To be honest, there will be times where I forget to charge overnight, but I’ve still got enough left to get to work or pop to the shops.”
“When it comes to charging, the UK’s network is getting bigger every day, and the MINI Electric smartphone app shows me where all the chargers are, which makes finding them easy. As with any electric car, you need to plan your longer journeys a bit more carefully, but the MINI Electric smartphone app helps a lot.
“As time goes on, you also start to find chargers that work best for you. For example, tucked away rapid chargers that other people don’t know about, or pay-as-you-go ones that let you get a quick charge for next to nothing. My top tip: if you’ve got a spare 10 minutes, just find a charger and get a quick top-up. It only takes a few minutes and you’re safe in the knowledge you have enough charge to keep going.
“When it comes to the cost of charging: wow! I used to spend £60 a month on petrol. Now, I reckon it costs me about £8 a week to charge my MINI Electric, and I don’t have to pay road tax either. The savings are immense. When charging at home, you can use the MINI Electric app to set certain times for charging. For example, I charge my MINI Electric between 2am and 6am because that’s when the cost is lowest. That means I know I’m always good-to-go in the mornings, and I’m saving money.”
Want to try the MINI Electric yourself? Take a 24-hour test drive
“It’s got a gadget for everything”
“With my MINI Electric, I went for the Level 3 trim, because I wanted the Harman Kardon sound system and the heated leather seats. The Harman Kardon speakers are really good. My partner is a sound technician, and he says they sound fantastic!
“I wanted the leather upholstery because I need the seats to be durable. It’s a nice leather finish that feels high-end. I’ve had my MINI Electric for over a year, and it still looks brand new. All the surfaces are durable and super easy to clean. Plus, the heated seats are great. I often use the MINI Connect App to pre-warm my car in the mornings, so that when I get in it’s nice and toasty. Warming the car via the app also preconditions the battery, which helps give you better range.
“One of my favourite features is how easily I can connect my phone. Apple CarPlay is amazing. It’s like having a big iPhone in the car. I often make calls when I’m driving, so the Bluetooth is great, and the ability to mirror the Waze app onto the touchscreen is super convenient. I also like the wireless charging pad, which is useful for keeping my phone topped up.
“Another standout feature is the big light-up dial on the dashboard. I love how you can change the colours. That big round dial almost makes you feel as though you’re sitting in a classic MINI, but with all the modern style of today’s cars.
“When it comes to safety, the Head-Up display is great. It’s nice not having to look down at the dashboard as much: you can keep your eyes on the road. When you drive past speed signs, the speed limit appears on the Head-Up display, which is useful. I also like how I can set everything – the wing mirrors, the Head-Up display – to my height. So, when someone else has been driving, I can click on my name in the menu, and everything adjusts to my preferences. That’s a really good feature.
“The Park Assist is also great. When you need to parallel park in an awkward space, it just does it for you. When I first got my MINI Electric, I just went around parking in places I didn’t need to, just to use the feature! The front-collision warning beep is useful around town, too. If the car thinks you’re going to hit something it beeps and comes up on the dashboard.”
Has the MINI Electric sparked your interest? Take a 24-hour test drive
“The MINI Electric feels really spacious”
“Even though the MINI Electric is a four-seater, it doesn’t feel small inside – it feels really spacious. I’ve had all sorts of things in the back: power tools, suitcases, surfboards and golf clubs. They all fit fine. In fact, when I drive to the range, my clubs actually fit without me having to drop the seats, which really surprised me.
“When we put suitcases in the back, it’s easy to pop the rear seats down. I also really like the little area under the boot floor for all the cables. It helps to keep things nice and neat. The ability to move the boot floor up and down is good, too. The MINI Electric is a really versatile car in this respect.”
Fancy getting behind the wheel of the MINI Electric? Take a 24-hour test drive
“It helps you live more sustainably”
“The main reason I wanted an electric car was to be better for the environment – to live more sustainably. I used to be very conscious sitting in traffic that I was pumping horrible fumes into the air, but now I don’t feel that at all! I’ll look over my shoulder and see a big diesel van sitting in traffic and think: “Hmm, that’s not good.”
“What would I say to someone thinking of going electric? Just do it! Do your research, test drive some cars, and find the right type of charging solutions that suit your lifestyle. Ultimately, I think people should just make the switch. It’s the future. Everyone’s going electric now, and I’m happy that I’ve been one of the pioneers to bring it forward!”
Want to try the MINI Electric yourself? Take a 24-hour test drive
Keyword: Why Misty loves her MINI Electric