Automotive

US pricing for the electric Mini Cooper as low as US$17,900 after credits

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Mini's first electric, the 135-kW Cooper SE
BMW Group
Mini's first electric, the 135-kW Cooper SE
BMW Group
Cabin follows the style of recent Mini Coopers
BMW Group
Mini Cooper SE on the road
BMW Group
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The electric Mini might not have the range, performance or high-tech goodies of the Tesla Model 3, but with a retail price starting at US$29,990 before federal and state incentives and credits, some buyers will get it cheaper than a petrol Cooper.

Arriving in showrooms in March 2020, the electric Cooper SE is priced to compete with other compacts like the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq, but offers a bit of premium-brand shine for similar dollars. It's a city-focused car with a range between 146-168 miles (235-270 km) – more than enough for average daily use – and zippy-ish front-wheel-drive performance enabling 0-60 mph (0-98 km/h) sprints in 6.9 seconds. That's a touch quicker than the basic Leaf or Ioniq, both of which feel sprightly around town themselves.

It comes standard with a 6.5-inch display, Apple CarPlay compatibility, heated front seats, active driving assistant with forward collision warnings, a rear view camera, and DC fast charging up to 50 kW, which can fast-charge the car from 0-80% in around 35 minutes.

Cabin follows the style of recent Mini Coopers
BMW Group

BMW Group, which owns the Mini brand, still hasn't run up against the tax credit cap for EV sales in the USA, so buyers have access to the full US$7,500 federal tax credit. Combine that with various state incentives, and the Cooper SE can start to look very affordable. Some qualified buyers will get it well under US$20,000. At those kinds of dollars, it'll make a lot of sense.

Source: BMW / Mini

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3 comments
Mzungu_Mkubwa
While this doesn't have quite the same amount of class as the original Mini Cooper (if "electrified") this would certainly come very close! And that price starts to get it into the ballpark! 😍
neoneuron
It's nice to see that someone is trying!
christopher
Tax Credits? Why are poor people getting taxed to put cool cars in rich people garages?