MINI-E FACTORY TOUR + FIRST DRIVE

EV Channels Review

The Fully Charged team provides an in-depth look at the Mini-E, starting with a factory tour highlighting its manufacturing process, including robotic assembly and battery integration. During the first drive, the reviewer praises the Mini-E's smooth takeoff and overall drivability, noting its "extremely adequate" performance for 99% of car journeys. The realistic range is estimated at around 120-130 miles, which, while modest by current standards, is deemed highly usable for typical daily use, especially with home charging. A key criticism is that the car feels built around a petrol car's architecture, limiting front storage and compromising battery packaging. The reviewer also notes the lack of adaptive cruise control and less informative regenerative braking display compared to competitors. Despite these drawbacks, the reviewer acknowledges the Mini-E's iconic brand appeal and calls it the "best Mini they've ever made," though they would personally opt for the i3 for its superior electric-specific engineering and greater range.