In-depth reviews

SEAT Mii electric (2020-2021) motor, drive & performance

The Mii electric is pleasant to drive and zippy around town, but feels a little out of its depth at higher speeds

SEAT Mii Electric
Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Electric motor, drive & performance rating

3.5 out of 5

0-62mphTop speedDriven wheelsPower
12.3s81mphFront82bhp

Generally, the Mii electric is a fun car to drive – its light weight doesn't trouble its torquey electric motor, so performance feels brisk and effortless, particularly at town-driving speeds. 

That keenness around town pairs with the Mii's small proportions to make it easy to guide through narrow streets and park in tight spaces. A handful of driving modes are offered, focusing on comfort, performance and efficiency. The Eco mode limits acceleration noticeably, although on our test run, the range estimate on the dashboard didn’t rise by enough to really justify the drop in performance.

Energy is recycled by the regenerative braking system (in order to boost range); you can choose the strength of the deceleration applied: the lowest setting allows you to coast when you lift off the throttle, as you would in a conventional car. Meanwhile, the highest mode can bring the car to a complete stop without needing the brake pedal: if you can anticipate the traffic flow ahead, full single-pedal driving is achievable.

SEAT Mii electric 0-62mph, top speed and acceleration

The Mii electric feels nifty around town, with a 0-31mph figure of 3.9 seconds translating into a handy burst of speed from a standing start. However, that acceleration quickly tails off, with the SEAT needing another 8.4 seconds (a total of 12.3 seconds) to hit 62mph from zero.

On the motorway, you won’t struggle to keep up with traffic, but you’ll almost certainly be aware that the electric motor is reaching its limits of performance. And with no engine noise to drown anything out, you’ll notice the wind noise from the mirrors a lot more the faster you go. If you do a lot of motorway miles, these are factors that might make you think twice.

Handling

Behind the wheel, it’s impossible to ignore the additional bulk that has been piled on as a result of the car’s electric transformation. The powertrain and battery have caused the weight to rise to 1,235kg, a figure that’s reflected in heavier steering and an increased turning circle.

That said, the petrol Mii was one of the most composed cars in the class, and the new one retains that polish: the chassis still handles well and the tauter suspension copes commendably with potholes and speed bumps without causing much in the way of body lean through corners.

Most Popular

Abarth range to expand with lighter, faster EVs
Abarth 500e front end
News

Abarth range to expand with lighter, faster EVs

Italian sports car brand will stay wedded to Fiat, but is eyeing up a faster 500e, plus tuned versions of upcoming crossover
5 Jun 2023
Tesla Model 3 facelift will be a double-edged sword
Tesla badge
News

Tesla Model 3 facelift will be a double-edged sword

Tesla’s updated EV will have an improved interior, greater range and a more affordable price – as well as one unfortunate drawback
1 Jun 2023
New electric cars coming in 2023 and beyond
Polestars under cover
Coming soon

New electric cars coming in 2023 and beyond

With electric cars making up an ever-increasing proportion of sales, the industry is working flat out to launch new models – here's what's on the way …
6 Jun 2023