Mini Cooper E (2023) – Back to Basics

Mini Cooper E Essential – €35,990

The Mini Cooper E Essential, as the basic version of the new Mini Cooper is called, does not offer much choice at all. Take the body color: as standard the car is finished in the slightly depressing ‘Melting Silver’, optionally only a far from uplifting ‘Midnight Black’ is available. This immediately gives us the first major difference with more expensive versions, because the Classic version (from €41,690) can be available in silver, black, white, blue, bright yellow or bright red at no extra cost. The roof in contrasting color is also missing from the Essential.

You can also clearly see from the wheels that this is a basic Mini. Only the Essential gets 16-inch Square Spoke wheels, the rest are at least a size larger. In terms of lighting, we note LED headlights, but of a simpler type than the ones on the Classic and other versions. This has consequences for the appearance, because the ‘mirrors’ arranged in a row are only found on the Essential.

The Mini Cooper Essential above, the more expensive Classic below. Note the roof, wheels and headlights.

The interior is equally unique. For example, we only find a two-spoke steering wheel in this version, the rest currently have a three-spoke steering wheel that Mini calls the ‘Sports steering wheel’. There is no choice in terms of upholstery, but we could live well with the black fabric with a cheerful yellow motif. Even more good news: the striking, round screen in the middle of the dashboard is completely standard, including navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Correctly. Adaptive cruise control is also present, as is dual-zone climate control. The center armrest makes life on board just that little bit more pleasant, especially on long journeys.

There is also a lot of difference in the interior: the bare Essential above, the Classic below.

Mini talks about mood lighting in the list of standard equipment, but in the configurator those lights only come on when ‘Package XS’ is selected. This includes ‘Mini Experience Modes’, where the car offers a different atmosphere to its occupants at the touch of a button. The standard mood lighting will be somewhat less extensive. Parking is also made easier in the basic Mini with a reversing camera and parking sensors, so that’s good.

Are we still missing something? Yes and no. The equipment is fine, although keyless entry and heated seats would be nice. However, the range of colors in this version is very limited and there are hardly any individual options, so it is hardly possible to spice up the car with a manageable capital injection. Finally, if we look at the specifications, it is noticeable that the basic Cooper is not only slower, but also travels less far than the more expensive Cooper S. It has a maximum range of just over 400 kilometers, this Cooper keeps it at 305 km. Do you need more range, but not more equipment? Good news: the Essential is also available as a Cooper S and costs €38,990.