Mini has just revealed the next generation of the Cooper, starting with the electric version of the little hatch. The new Mini Cooper will get a more premium interior and a larger battery pack to help drivers spend more time in that new cabin.
This isn't a brand that makes massive styling changes, and the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric doesn't stray from the design language. It's still unmistakably a Mini, but it has cleaner lines and neater proportions thanks to flush door handles, a lack of fender flares, as well as very short overhangs and a longer wheelbase.
Mini still leans into its British heritage with taillights inspired by the Union flag, though the new angled design omits the vertical line of the St. George's cross. Mini has changed the grille as well, making it more octagonal than in Minis past. The running lights will get some new animations to add character to the little hatch.
The cabin is classic Mini with a minimalist dash and large centre gauge pod, but with new visual finishes and tactile flourishes. A textile-covered dash starts that effort off, meant to feel warmer and more welcoming than hard plastic. Different trim grades get different fabrics, with a knit-look, two-tone, and houndstooth materials available. The John Cooper Works trim adds leather and red stitching to the combination. There are fewer buttons and less clutter in the cabin, with flat vents replacing the traditional circular pods.
Mini's centre display is its largest yet. The round screen is 240 mm across and uses a new operating system. The new OS is meant to be more smartphone-like and Mini says the display is focused on the essentials. Touch the speedometer, which is always on the screen since the new dashboard omits a driver's side gauge cluster, and it takes over the display in a full-size mode. Mini says that will help you focus on driving. The system will also have Mini's first natural speech command recognition.
One of the biggest shortcomings of the last Mini EV was its short 183-km range from its 32.6-kWh battery pack. Mini has increased the battery size for this generation with the new Cooper SE getting an estimated 402-km range (based on the European WLTP; NRCan and EPA estimates will be lower) from its 54.2-kWh pack. The standard Cooper E will get around 305 km with a 40.7-kWh pack.
The new battery comes with more power. The Cooper E makes 184 hp, while the SE gets 218 hp. Expect the JCW to make even more, and to be quicker than SE's 6.7-second run to 100 km/h.
New Experience Modes change the Mini Cooper Electric's driving response as well as the ambient lighting and display mode. Green tweaks the motor for maximum efficiency and gives power-saving tips, Core is the standard, and Go-Kart sharpens the car's responses and adds JCW-inspired ambient light effects.
The Mini Cooper E will charge at 75 kW on a Level 3 plug, and the SE up to 95 kW. At a Level 2 station, both can handle up to 11 kW.
The new Mini Electric has been confirmed for the Canadian market, but exact dates have yet to be announced. We'll let you know more, including Canadian car specs, as we get them.
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