It is 4:15am, still the middle of night in my opinion – but that’s the time I edge the Cooper SE’s nose out of my drive to head for Heathrow for a very early flight to the South of France. Not many new cars would get me out of my bed this early, but when it’s our ‘One to Watch’ winner at this year’s Business Car Awards, and key rival to the Mini, the Renault 5 E-Tech, it’s key that I get to the airport on time.
Just over 200 miles is showing on the range – so nothing to worry about there. So, I engage ‘Green’ mode, put the airport postcode in the nav, flick the wipers on as it’s raining, and make my way to the M25.
Traffic is light, but the keen drive is keeping me awake and entertained. The finish to this Mini’s interior, which with the clever use of fabric on the dash and door trims, along with central circular OLED infotainment – still feels special every drive.
Then there’s the comfort on the move. Rear space might be compromised in this Cooper SE thanks to my tall frame, but space in the front, and the driving position is excellent. The one-piece sports seats are sporty and supportive.
Anyway, I arrive pleasingly unstressed at the car park three-quarters of an hour later – in plenty of time to check into the flight. More impressive is the 3.7miles/kWh efficiency, equalling 180 miles range – which is plenty for the trip home.
So, what’s the 5 like compared to the Mini? Similar to the Cooper, this Renault respects its past in the design. The Mini and 5 both look fantastic. With this Renault almost having the want factor of the original 2001 R50 Mini hatch. Then there’s the extra practicality of four-doors that the Mini doesn’t have…
Inside both the Mini and Renault continue with the retro-modern design. The 5 has its modern interpretation of the 70s original’s interior, but the third-generation Mini moves even closer to the 60s original – with the circular OLED screen, and lower switch panel. The woollen panels cleverly hide the hard plastics – better than the Renault!
There is no doubt that this Mini’s stiff ride adds to the sporty character, but the Renault feels more comfortable and composed. The 5’s steering surprises at how precise it is – although I feel it’s not quite as sharp as the Mini’s! The Cooper SE has the sportiest handling, too.
The Renault’s handbrake is annoyingly fiddly and it’s not as sporty as our Mini, but the 5 is a promising start – it will be interesting to see how the incoming Alpine A290 can move things on.
Then there’s the range and pricing. Range-wise, the 5s on the launch seemed a bit down on Renault’s claims of 250 miles for the bigger 150hp version we drove. It was more like 200 and puts the 5 again on a collision course with the Cooper, which has been largely seeing the same figure in our hands. An estimated £27,000 price for the rang-topping Techno, is also considerably cheaper than this Mini.
The Cooper SE is still my favourite, and the car I was very happy to be tackling a busy and damp drive around the M25 on the way home. However, I was surprised and impressed at how close this comparison was – I look forward to driving right-hand drive versions in the UK to make a definitive comparison.
Elsewhere, after highlighting the fact that the parcel shelf strings are too long, the shelf itself jammed this month as I was opening the boot. As a result, I found out later that one of clips on the tailgate, where the string is usually located, is now missing. Interestingly, after speaking to another owner, Mini have appeared to fix this on customer cars. Is this worthy of a visit to the dealer for a fix?
| Model | Mini Cooper SE |
| P11D price | £38,645 |
| As tested | £39,220 |
| WLTP Combined Range | 250 miles |
| Test consumption/Range | 3.7 miles/kWh |
| Mileage | 1,805 |
1st Report
We’re not usually lucky enough to be running the ‘Business Car of The Year’ at the same time it’s announced – but this a happy coincidence.
This is not my first experience of the all-new JO1 electric Mini, as following the UK drive at the end of June, I spent three-weeks in the range-topping ‘Sport’, after giving back our long-term BMW i5. I wasn’t totally convinced by the sporty ‘John Cooper Works’ body additions, but it was great fun to drive, and the range was a big improvement over the last electric Mini.
I was sorry when it went back but looked forward to the arrival of our own car at the start of August. Having visited the dealer on launch weekend and witnessing this colour, it was a no-brainer that I was going to go for a car in ‘Bursting Blue’ (a £550 option), when it was offered. This meant our car would be in the more luxurious ‘Exclusive’ specification, with what I thought was more a classic modern Mini style, that in my opinion looks great – with the white roof and mirrors. I was also a fan of the 18in Slide Spoke wheels (another £550 option), so was very pleased to find these also fitted.
Inside, I wouldn’t have chosen the beige colour of the Vescin faux leather trim, as like the light woollen interior and dash trim, I think they will both mark. In fact, with just 650 miles when delivered, our car’s door cards were already marked by previous dirty fingers! Still, the seats themselves, are the JCW sports seats upgrade (part of the £2,000 Exclusive pack), which have proved to be comfortable and supportive.
Highlight of our Mini’s interior must be the central circular OLED infotainment screen, which despite a couple of kinks, in general has worked well. I say generally, as after a McDonald’s breakfast pit stop on its first long trip to Brighton, it didn’t want to log into my profile or connect to my phone – which was frustrating after what otherwise was an easy trip. It has done the same a couple of times since, and I now have a set routine when starting to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Talking of the drive, as you’d expect of a Mini, it’s a highlight. I thought the Cooper’s steering was too light at first, but after spending time in other cars, I’ve changed my mind. Instead, it’s precise and has a good weight. The same is true of the handling, with a keen turn-in, and a lack of body roll in corners the real highlights. Although you can feel the weight of the battery – especially at low speeds. With 218hp, it’s a punchy performer – yet is reasonably efficient – unless driven hard. This is difficult, as its linea acceleration is already becoming addictive.
Gripes? Despite selfishly enjoying the sportiness of a two-door hatch, offering the Cooper SE as a five-door would certainly help me when I’m transporting my kids around. Our Exclusive spec has a glass sunroof, but unlike ICE models (based on the previous third-generation Mini) it doesn’t open – which is a shame. We were told this was because of the weight of the mechanism. I appreciate a sunroof that opens, so would happily do without it! Finally, the strings of the rear parcel shelf are too long – meaning the shelf itself doesn’t lift when you open the boot.
Overall, a good start – as I’ve fallen for this Mini big time, and I’m looking forward to spending more time in our Cooper SE over the coming months.
| Model | Mini Cooper SE |
| P11D price | £38,645 |
| As tested | £39,220 |
| WLTP Combined Range | 250 miles |
| Test consumption/Range | 3.0 miles/kWh |
| Mileage | 1,250 |
Standard equipment: LED head and taillights, 16in alloy wheels, Mini OLED display, DAB radio, Mini Driving Modes, two-zone automatic climate control, dynamic cruise control, parking assistant and rear camera, Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration.
Optional equipment: Blazing Blue paint (£550), 18in Slide Spoke alloy wheels (£550), Exclusive trim (£2,200), Level 2 Pack (£2,000)
Why we’re running it: To see how our 2024 ‘Company Car of The Year’ works for fleet.
