If a new electric car is out of your price range, there’s no shame in buying an awesome used vehicle
. With a unique engine and a fashionable interior, the 2021 Mini Electric Hardtop is fun to drive, especially in the city. Jerry
, the car ownership super app
, checks out what may be the most budget-friendly option to live your best EV life. The 2021 Mini Electric Hardtop: Battery, range, and exterior
The 2021 Mini Electric Hardtop is more fun to drive than most hybrid and electric cars, even if it does have a shorter range. With a starting price of just under $30,000, it doesn’t get much more affordable than that for an electric vehicle.
The Mini Electric gets its motor from the BMW i3S, which also cut production costs significantly when producing the 2021 model. The compact car features a single electric motor with 184 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. The Mini has a 32.6-kWh battery and can hit 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.
Due to its low center of gravity, body roll isn’t an issue, and drivers will experience sharp steering at every turn. The EV consumes 31 kWh per 100 miles and while its max range is only 110 miles, it can fully recharge in four hours.
For the Electric Hardtop’s battery, Mini offers an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
The color yellow also makes this EV stand out from the rest of the range. You can find it everywhere, from the outer rim of its unique alloy wheels to the blocked-off grille. The electric hardtop is a bit taller than your average hatchback, measuring 56.4 inches.
Buyers can have fun with a variety of exteriorpaintoptions. Colors include Midnight Black, British Racing Green, White Silver, Moonwalk Grey, and Chili Red. There are also nine different alloy wheel options to further customize your design.
MORE: These Are the Fastest-Selling Used and New Cars
Interior and tech features
There’s no way around it, the Mini Electric is a tight squeeze. While space is limited in the rear, front passengers receive 40.3 inches of headroom and 41.4 inches of legroom. If you’re in the back you’ll get 36.9 inches of headroom and 30.8 inches of legroom. We never said this was a family car.
Cargo capacity is at 8.7 cubic feet if all the seats are in place. Not bad for a few carry-on suitcases or a Target run. And if you fold them down, you’ll increase the cargo space to 34 cubic feet.
The Cooper SE comes standard with many features, including heated front seats, 16-inch low-drag alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, eDrive digital instrument cluster, two USB ports and more.
If you upgrade to the Signature trim, you’ll get rear park distance control, a panoramic moonroof, premium upholstery, and auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors. Piano black interior accents, a parking assistant, active cruise control, a head-up display, wireless charging pad, and premium leather upholstery are available on the Iconic trim.
The standard infotainment screen is only 6.6 inches and comes with E-Drive Services, Bluetooth
, and Apple CarPlay. Sorry Android users. If you want a 9.9-inch display, you can upgrade to the Signature Plus and Iconic models, which will also get you a Harman Kardon sound system. Is the 2021 Mini Electric Hardtop worth your time?
The 2021 Mini Electric Hardtop has adept handling and an energetic powertrain. The infotainment tech is intuitive and easy to use. And believe it or not, its cargo capacity surpasses that of many other cars in its class.
But since the Mini seats four people, you likely won’t be the one driving your friends around on a cross-country road trip. If you’d rather chill in the backseat with your iPad anyway, this might not be a bad thing.
While it has yet to be crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the EV does come with some driver-assist technology. Features include pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, speed limit information, rearview camera, and forward-collision warning.
While the EV only has a single-speed transmission, it packs some serious punch on the road. And with the average American only driving about 36 miles per day, the Mini’s range is more than capable of satisfying the everyday driver. Reviewers like Autoblog, CNET, and Car and Driver all agree.
For the price, and the ability to snag a tight parking spot in the city, we’d say the 2021 Mini Electric Hardtop is a great buy.
4.7
