Car Review: 2022 Mini Cooper SE 3 Door

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If you have never driven any Mini Cooper model of the last 20 years, which is to say the Mini Cooper that is part of BMW’s empire, know that the word “dull” is offensive to the British brand. Sometimes infuriating, often impractical, occasionally overpriced, but always entertaining, the hatchbacks, convertibles, and crossovers wearing the nameplate consistently punch above their weight in the fun department.

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So, when Mini decided to join the electric vehicle movement with its SE 3 door a couple of years ago, was there any doubt it would prioritize the brand’s sporting bona fides over a minor detail such as driving range? Which is to say, if you seek an EV that will give you at least 300 kilometres of range before a recharge — hell, make that 200 km — look elsewhere, friend. The Mini Cooper SE is rated at just 183 km, which, in the words of Driving.ca’s “green guru,” Andrew McCredie, “is a flaw that is difficult to overlook.”

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Difficult but not impossible, as long as you’re willing to consider the little hatchback as a commuter car, a kind of intra-/inter-urban tarmac ninja, nimble and quick enough off the line to tackle downtown’s congested streets or whip around distracted suburbanites on their way to Costco in their crossovers. BMW claims the front-wheel-drive SE will accelerate to 60 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and “over the first 60 metres it effortlessly keeps pace with conventionally powered sports cars.” Cute. The more conventional zero to 100 km/h metric is 7.3 seconds, about a half-second slower than the 192-horsepower, turbo 2.0-litre-powered Mini Cooper S. Top speed maxes out at 150 km/h.

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Under the SE’s hood is typical EV technology, a BMW-developed synchronous electric motor like the one found in its i3, only this one with an output of 181 hp, plus 199 pound-feet of torque, which is instantly available. Delving a little deeper into the tech and engineering, the compact unit with integrated single-speed transmission is situated in the front section of the Mini. The battery is made up of lithium-ion cells subdivided into 12 modules that form a T-shaped unit positioned in the vehicle floor, making for a very low centre of gravity — some 30 mm lower than the aforementioned Cooper S — and thus preserving most of the agility and go-kart handling for which Minis are known.

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But not quite. The SE 3 door has a curb weight of 1,426 kilograms, lightweight for most cars (especially other EVs), on the porky side for a Mini — it’s 150 kg heavier than the Cooper S. The battery’s added avoirdupois is felt when cornering as well as with steering feel, which is rather stiff on-centre.

Although not uncommon in other EVs, the Mini Cooper SE 3 door is the first electrically powered BMW model in which the driver can influence the level of brake energy regeneration. A toggle switch positioned to the left of the start/stop button provides the choice of heavy- (the default) or low-level regeneration, regardless of the drive mode selected. With heavy regeneration, no-brake-pedal driving is possible as the car decelerates quite dramatically once the foot is removed from the accelerator. In city traffic the effect extends the SE’s drive range as the electric motor performs the function of a generator, transforming kinetic energy back into electric power, which in turn is fed back into the battery. Once you get accustomed to the regeneration’s effect on the Mini, the hatchback’s abundant zippiness can be explored, especially in Sport mode.

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Drive modes are selected by means of a switch located on the toggle bar. There are four modes to choose from. Sport differs from the standard Mid setting, with what BMW says is a more direct characteristic steering curve and “a particularly spontaneous response of the drive system.” Mid is the default and, as would be expected, dials up a more comfortable drive. Green and Green+ are geared toward maximum efficiency, the latter going so far as to limit or deactivate selected comfort functions such as the HVAC and heated seats.

All Mini Coopers get a minor refresh for the 2022 model year, primarily updated front and rear bumpers and grille, new wheel designs and standard Union Jack pattern taillights. Inside, the comfy, cozy cabin — at least for the front-seat occupants — sees new digital instrument gauges in a 5.5-inch display, redesigned steering wheel, revised air vents and a larger 8.8 centre display. The SE’s instrument cluster provides information on the battery charge level, drive mode, the status of the driver assistance systems and check control messages. Additionally, range available, current drive power, outside temperature, time and mileage are displayed, along with traffic sign detection.

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For the starting price of $40,990 (before the $5,000 federal iZEV rebate, not to mention the rebates offered by BC, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and the Yukon and Northwest territories), the 2022 SE 3 door features a solid list of standard equipment, from dual-zone climate control and heated front seats to navigation, rear-view camera, and Sirius satellite radio — and Level 1 and Level 2 charging cables (the car is also equipped with Level 3/DC fast charging capability).

Full charging from zero to 80 per cent ranges from 26 hours (Level 1 using household current) down to 35 minutes (Level 3). During charging, the instrument panel will show the available range and the charge status in per cent. The time is also displayed at which the battery will be fully charged. The colour of the panel changes depending on the situation, from orange during initial plug-in to yellow during the charging process, and green when the battery is fully refreshed.

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Here’s the thing. BMW/Mini rolled the dice when it comes to the SE, gambling that a) the car’s playfulness is more important to the buyer than a 300- or 400-km range, and/or b) anyone considering the little EV has determined their daily commute falls within the subcompact’s 183-km range. Of course, you could also look at the SE 3 door as a secondary vehicle, one capable of most in-town day-to-day duties, leaving the gas-dependent family crossover for longer distances or when more than two seats need to be occupied.

The logic behind that corporate decision seems to have held water — Mini sold almost 13,500 SEs worldwide during the first half of 2021. And  Green Car Journal  in the United States awarded the 2020 SE its Urban Green Car of the Year Award for 2021.

Whatever the reason, the Mini Cooper 3 Door proves that being environmentally conscious doesn’t have to be boring or expensive.