MINI Electric review: interior, dashboard & comfort
The MINI Electric’s interior holds plenty of style appeal, but it can’t match rivals for high-tech feel
The interior quality in MINIs has always been excellent, while a facelift for the MINI Electric at the end of 2021 added some new interior options and an updated infotainment system.
MINI Electric dashboard
The MINI’s dashboard is not without appeal. After all, it’s simple to operate and there’s genuine functionality in the iDrive-style infotainment controller. It's not as tech-centric as the Honda e's cabin, but build quality in the MINI is great and the interior seems built to last.
Alongside the central infotainment screen, there’s a digital instrument cluster, but the display isn’t as high-tech or customisable as the systems in modern Audi and VW models. That said, it offers all the necessary features and information in an easy-to-read format and presented on a smart-looking frameless readout.
The driving position could have broader adjustability and the manual seat adjustment can be a little awkward, but the seat itself is comfortable. Elsewhere, the MINI Electric separates itself from the petrol models with a smattering of lurid yellow details on the passenger side of the dash, as well as the gear selector and stop-start button. Otherwise, it’s business as usual. We’ll leave you to decide whether that’s a good thing or not.
Equipment, options & accessories
The MINI Electric is currently available in four specification levels at the time of writing. They don’t mirror the standard car’s trims; instead, they're simply called Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Resolute Edition.
The MINI Electric in Level 1 spec starts from £29,000. It gets the same eight-inch touchscreen as the top-of-the-range cars, with Apple CarPlay and MINI Connected, which offers live information like charging-point availability and current traffic conditions. It also has the digital cockpit display from the John Cooper Works GP hot hatch, cruise control and two-zone climate control.
The Level 2 starts from £31,000. The extra cash gets you the Driving Assistance Package with speed-limit and traffic-sign information, city collision mitigation for pedestrians and high-beam assistance. It also adds a rear-view camera, heated part-leatherette seats, plus some additional paint and alloy wheel options.
The Level 3 starts from £34,500. It heralds big-car kit like a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, a Harmon Kardon stereo, adaptive LED headlights and full leather seats. While this makes the MINI Electric feel like a truly premium car, they’re luxuries rather than essentials.
Finally, there’s the Resolute Edition special model. Introduced in early 2022, it comes in 'Rebel Green' with a 'Pepper White' roof finish and mirror caps. All chrome elements are removed on the outside, while the headlight surrounds, radiator grille, rear lights, side scuttles, door handles and tailgate are finished in bronze. The bonnet stripes and door sill panels feature a pattern of parallel lines with a gold colour gradient and 'RESOLUTE' lettering, while this version also sports 17-inch alloys in the 'Electric Collection Spoke' design. Inside the Resolute has fabric-leatherette sports seats, a sports leather steering wheel and anthracite roof lining, plus LED lighting.
There's been several other special editions of the MINI line-up over the years, too, including the Shadow Edition from 2021 and 2022's Multitone Edition, each receiving numerous styling tweaks and unique touches.
Infotainment, apps & sat nav
The MINI Electric's interior is logically laid-out and simple to operate, with the large eight-inch touchscreen display situated within the familiar central roundel. For 2021, the system was updated with split-screen functionality. There’s also a click wheel on the lower console, which makes the system easy to navigate on the move, while additional touch operation gives it further functionality, which is useful when you're parked.
TrustpilotApple CarPlay is standard, so if you’re an iPhone user, you’ll be fine. MINI still refuses to offer its cars with Android Auto, however, which feels somewhat restrictive in this day and age. At least the sat nav works well – so those without the latest smartphone software are reasonably well catered for. Every car comes with MINI’s Connected App, which shows the location of public charging points, as well as stats on the car’s energy consumption and charge status, plus the ability to pre-heat or cool the cabin.
