The MINI Cooper is one of those modern classics that seems to always rank highly among enthusiasts and casual buyers. It also has the rare distinction of fitting in the Venn diagram of cars universally beloved by guys and girls.

Not many cars fit into the category as both a fashion icon and a fun amusement ride but the MINI Cooper has been widely accepted by both fashionistas and enthusiasts. While many pointed out the modern MINI is not quite as small as its classic predecessor, it is as endearing as the original.

With an all-new fully electric (BEV) fourth generation, will the J01 2024 MINI Cooper SE continue to be an endearing icon or will it be a frustrating mess?  To find out, we let the MINI loose for a few days.

Design – A perpetual masterclass

Alec Issigonis is regarded as the father of the original Mini but when it comes to the modern all-caps MINI, I think that Frank Stephenson should be considered the master of the current form of the classic brand.

Stephenson designed the first-gen R50 MINI hatchback and the overall silhouette has remained largely unchanged, spanning four generations over the next 25 years.

The J01 MINI sparked the biggest milestone change underneath though the design formula remains the same with large circular headlamps, the iconic front grille, the curvy bonnet design, and the oval roof.

To the untrained eye, the exterior design of the J01 appears to be carried over from the third generation, yet it still stands out. The rear taillights still have the controversial Union Jack design though it is more subtle in appearance compared to its predecessor.

Unlike the previous generation, the all-new MINI Cooper SE is only available with an electric powertrain though the the third-gen internal combustion engine (ICE) variants continue with a deep facelift. That meant some compromise in design had to be made like the front bonnet – which is sealed shut – no longer being clamshell shape.

Also read: Priced from RM 280k, 2024 MINI Cooper S petrol launched in Malaysia

Also, the MINI Cooper SE is no longer produced in Oxford, UK as it is fully imported (CBU) from China. The J01 is the first model developed and produced by Spotlight Automotive, a joint venture between the BMW Group and Great Wall Motor (GWM).

I find this quite ironic because GWM also produces the Ora Good Cat, a BEV that is heavily inspired by the MINI. Funny how fate sometimes works.

We will get to the interior later but as far as endearment values are concerned, the minimalist J01 design passed with flying colours. Now, let’s move on to its performance capabilities.

Performance – A sprightly package

In Malaysia, the J01 MINI Cooper is only available in a singular variant, the SE which is powered by a front-mounted electric motor that makes 218 PS and 330 Nm. This is 34 PS and 60 Nm more than the previous MINI Cooper SE.

Other markets offer the J01 in base Cooper E which makes 184 PS and 290 Nm as well as the John Cooper Works (JCW) trim. The latter is merely an aesthetic trim package added to the SE variant and shares the same power output.

During our time, the J01 completed the century sprint from rest in 6.68 seconds which is within the claimed 0-100 km/h time of 6.7 seconds. The MINI has always been akin to a cili padi; small in size but spicy hot when experienced.

Being an electric car, the Cooper SE packs the same quick and responsive acceleration that you normally get in any other BEV.

Put your foot down and you can hear the imitation propulsion noises blaring from the speakers which are fun party pieces but like most parties, you will eventually grow tired of them. At least this sonic experience can be turned off in the settings menu.

Handling – A fixed roof go-kart

The MINI comes in 8 drive modes, or should I say "Experiences", which can be selected from one of the toggle buttons located on the centre console.

Switch to ‘Go-kart’ mode, MINI-slang for sport mode, and you’ll be greeted with a “Woo-hoo!” (which can also be mercifully turned off) as the steering wheel is stiffened and the throttle response is sharpened.

The MINI has always been traditionally a fun car to drive since its classic days when the four-wheeled terrier would tear up circuits and rallies. Even though this is one overweight hatchback – the SE has a kerb weight of 1,615 kg, 289 kg heavier than the old MINI Electric – the J01 still feels nimble around the corners.

I did not give a joyous yelp of excitement as the mode implied but driving the MINI gave me a silly grin around smooth winding roads and every time I turn the wheel. The steering feels taut and precise, taking 2.2 turns lock-to-lock so you can really push it around the apex.

If this experience was on the track, the MINI Cooper SE would feel even more exciting like an amusement park ride. I would definitely enjoy it more than the Smart #1 Brabus, the MINI Cooper SE’s closest fashionable rival.

While it handles well, the steering feedback feels a tad artificial compared to the petrol-powered predecessors. The chunkiness of the steering wheel also dulls some of the excitement but for those who are new to the MINI heritage, it will not be a disappointment.

Ride – Better range but you wouldn’t want to go far

Where the J01 falters, instead, is in its ride. Even on slightly smooth highway roads, the SE suffers from a very stiff ride whichever mode you select. It handles like a go-kart and rides like one too.

The small cabin space meant that every occupant would feel the stiffness of the suspension. There is too much movement going over undulations and bumps so the MINI is strictly a car more suited for urban driving than a long weekend trip.

Compared to the previous MINI Cooper SE, the range is better with up to 402 km under the WLTP standard. However, we feel the MINI is more at home around the city than on long highway stretches.

After driving for around 105 km (50% highway, 50% traffic), topping up the MINI from less than 50% to 80% took 16 minutes. Based on our calculations, the J01 consumed 15.6 kWh/100 km which is more efficient than the Smart #1 (19.7 kWh/100 km).

Though the MINI is zippy around corners, get it to higher speeds on the highway and the ride feels choppy even on seemingly smooth tarmac. As fun as the car is for the driver, for passengers, they need to brace themselves for any queasiness.

Livability – Purely fashion statement

Now that I’ve explained what the all-new MINI Cooper SE is like for those who admire the way it handles, it’s time to point out what it is like to live with it. Though it performs like any hot hatch, the real habitat for the MINI is within a shopping district or an artisanal gentrified township.

Around Bangsar or Taman Paramount, the MINI would be a chic transport with just the right amount of space for a weekly shopping activity. There is enough space for four but those in the back would have to be short enough to get even remotely comfortable in the rear.

Getting into the back and out also requires some gymnastics as there is a narrow entry to the rear seats. It’s best reserved for those who think they have a better fashion sense than you.

Moving to the front, visibility is great and you can easily see what is in front of you. But if you somehow feel intimidated when parking, the Cooper SE is available with park assist where you let the car do the heavy lifting.

The interior of the J01 is more playful than the exterior while being minimalist. There are a few quirky cubbyholes and storage spaces while the upper parts of the dashboard and doors are fitted with a grey textile material made from recycled polyester.

The fabric adds a sense of style to the interior and a piece is even strapped to one of the spokes on the steering wheel. Meanwhile, the oval theme continues on the door-mounted Harmon Kardon speakers, the centre storage bin cover, and the handy ergonomic driver armrest.

It is a rather friendly place to be in and the quirkiness of the MINI continues with the operation to start the electric motor. Rather than simply pushing a button, you twist the starter ‘key’ to turn on the motor. Twist it again or open the door after engaging Park to turn it off.

Infotainment – A bad case of minimalism

Completing the whole minimalist look is the central OLED screen which is the only main display you are getting aside from the head-up display. The screen houses everything from the infotainment, the speedometer, the trip meter, a voice command named Spike the Dog, the A/C controls, and every other single vital setting of the MINI.

Because it is the mitochondrion of the car that is the literal powerhouse, it can be very frustrating when the system crashes or lags which I have encountered numerous times.

It takes forever to load when starting up since it has many apps running simultaneously. This causes a laggy response when switching between the home screen and the speedometer or other apps.

Once while fiddling around the screen and calling out Spike via the voice command, the row of home and shortcut buttons below the screen disappeared. I had to restart the car for the buttons to reappear as normal.

Due to the way the screen is designed, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are displayed in a square format in the middle but this also faced some issues. While using Waze to navigate, the screen suddenly froze as I was driving. Eventually, things went back to normal but I missed my exit and was forced to make a long detour.

These were some of the experiences I encountered with the system and it likely requires a software update to patch things up. Unfortunately, these glitches are also to be expected when carmakers decide to plonk every single feature onto a screen.

While MINI might think this high-tech user interface would attract younger buyers, the UI isn’t exactly user-friendly. Imagine if you want to adjust the temperature or check the navigation and the screen suddenly freezes itself, wouldn’t that just frustrate you?

Conclusion

In the end, the J01 still shares the same endearing core values of its predecessors and the original long-running classic. From a design perspective, the all-new MINI Cooper SE keeps the timeless persona that makes it a hit with the ladies and the lads.

It also has a better and more usable range than its predecessor so one can really try out its nimble and zippy handling characteristics around technical corners in the highlands, provided you can accept the stiff ride getting there.

The all-new MINI is compact and works perfectly in the city but its central screen brings out plenty of annoyances that make it frustrating as a daily. In essence, the J01 MINI Cooper SE makes a lot more sense as a weekend car and just like any weekend adventure, it brings out the most joy then.