The Bottom Line: What is a Mini Cooper EV? The all electric Mini Cooper comes with Mini’s performance legacy and engineering expertise. They are fun to drive, due to instant torque and linear acceleration of the electric motor, and all Mini Coopers are famous for their go-kart-like driving and handling.
The 2022 Mini Electric Hardtop 2 Door EV comes fully equipped with seating for 4 adults and an electric motor with 181 hp and 199 lb-ft torque. The single speed motor comes with 2 levels of power regeneration, and is powered by a 32.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. The Mini Electric has a range of up to 114 miles, with a charging time of 4 hours on a 240 volt level 2 charger.
This week Mini Cooper sent me a 2022 Mini Cooper SE all electric EV 2 door hardtop to test drive and review. The base window sticker price is $29,900 for this electric model. The options on the test car are: The Leather Lounge package for $500, and the Iconic Trim package for $7,000. The MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $850 destination charge is: $38,250. Think of it as fast, fun, funky and fabulous.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the total out the door and in your garage purchase price came to: $43,031. At just over $43 Grand the Mini Cooper SE is one of the least expensive EV electric vehicles you can buy in America, and that’s still after adding in the $7,500 iconic and leather lounge package.
The Iconic trim package is just what the name implies, the best of the best, and it includes: a Nappa leather covered steering wheel, dual power folding side view mirrors, a white painted roof top, electric yellow side view mirror caps, piano black exterior trim, a panoramic moonroof, an auto dimming rear view inside mirror, an anthracite headliner, active cruise control, parking assist, head up display, 17″ scissor spoke two tone alloy wheels, wireless charging, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system.
The base 2022 Mini Cooper EV provides an affordable entry into the electric vehicle game with its starting price of only $30,750. But it can be even cheaper than that, costing as little as $23,250, after using the federal $7,500 in tax deductions. Those are great numbers in the electric car world, but wait, there’s more! You can lease a Mini Cooper EV electric car for around $409 a month on a 36 month lease. Contact your local Mini Cooper dealer for the current details, down payment, terms and conditions.
Electric cars’ driving range will vary according to your driving habits and environmental conditions. How you drive can make a big difference to your available range, and how quickly your charge rate is used. Fortunately, it’s easy to get maximum miles out of a full charge, and even extend an EV’s range beyond its rated distance.
Here are a few tips that can help to extend your driving range. Drive smoothly. Simply put, lead footed driving an EV will drain your EV’s battery at an accelerated rate. Slow down and try to keep your speed under 60 mph whenever possible. Maximize your regenerative braking. Go easy on the heat. Be cool with the A/C. Tend to the tire pressure, and last, travel light. Less weight means more time traveled in an EV. Every power saving tip adds more miles to your trip, and less worry about range anxiety.
So, what happens if my electric car runs out of battery power? If you’re driving an electric car and it runs out of juice, the short and simple answer is: the car will just stop moving. Then you will need to call for roadside assistance, to either get the car charged on the side of the road, get the car towed to the nearest charging station, or just have the car towed home. It’s always a good idea to know how much battery power and range is available at all times, and adjust your trip to arrive on time, or know where to charge the car up at a roadside charging station. You will never be let down, if you’re all charged up!
So, when you’re ready to buy a new subcompact electric car the Mini Cooper should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the lowest priced EV’s in the entire electric car class. Call, click or visit your local Mini Cooper dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2022 Mini Cooper EV. And remember that the base price for a new Mini EV starts at only $30,750. Mini Cooper – One Drive is All it Takes!
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive”© And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today”©.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a “Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense”© editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy”© is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
