Earlier in 2020, Mini announced a brand-new Mini Cooper SE that would make electric vehicles (EV) a more viable option for the average person. Still yet to launch in South Africa and Mini has hiked up the price by 9 percent. It doesn’t sound that much but when you remind yourself that this is a car that we are talking about, it’s big. More than R50 000 big.
Mini Cooper SE new price and competition.
The first price reveal placed the Mini Cooper SE at R589 000 which made it the cheapest EV available in South Africa. Mini wasn’t silly about the price hike and did not let go of that title, but it does now put it closer to the next EV around from BMW.
The official new price is R642 000 which in comparison to what will be its direct competition, in almost on par. That car, of course, is the BMW i3, a lovely little EV that’s price comes to R721 700. Interestingly, the BMW i3 has also had a price hike. The only other EV available in the South African market is the South African Car of the Year, the Jaguar I-Pace which starts at R1 717 3000. So, it’s definitely not in the same category of EV.
The price hike doesn’t just change how competitive the Mini Cooper SE is in South Africa; it also changes its standing along with its engine powered cousins. That being the Cooper S and JCW model which now all have similar prices. Mini has really left its EV market with a lot of other options to think about.
It’s still a great EV.
This, however, doesn’t change our opinion on the Mini Cooper SE. As the cheapest EV and a great car to drive, it’s definitely still worth adding to your list of cars to consider.
The 32 kWh battery will get you a range of 235 to 270 km and pack a 135 kW punch with 270 Nm of instant torque. That’s more than enough to zip around town and spice up your commutes.