2025 Cooper EV: An Elegant Hatchback That Feels More Like a BMW Offspring

For two decades, BMW's Mini Cooper has redefined the compact car market. However, this iconic range is undergoing a dramatic transformation with the introduction of the 2025 Cooper EV, which embraces cutting-edge design, new electric architecture, and a seamless fusion of traditional and modern elements.

The change is not just cosmetic but nominal as well. The term 'Cooper' is no longer just an elite badge for specific hatchback variants; it is the new standard name for the electric Mini hatchback. Interestingly, other models like the just-revealed Countryman will also bear the Cooper moniker when equipped with the high-performance John Cooper Works package.

If you're a fan of the current, whimsical, combustion-engine-powered Mini hatch, don't worry. That model will coexist with the new electric hatch, produced in China, following a moderate design update. However, only the electric variant has been officially unveiled by BMW thus far.

The Cooper EV arrives in two front-wheel-drive configurations, each offering enhanced power compared to their fossil-fuel siblings.

The Cooper E, the entry-level model, sports a single motor that churns out 181 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 7.3 seconds and can run up to 190 miles on a full charge, courtesy of its 40.7 kWh battery. When compared to the existing electric Mini Cooper SE, it excels in terms of range.

Opt for the more advanced Cooper SE, and you're rewarded with a single motor generating 215 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to sprint to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds. Its larger 54.2 kWh battery delivers an extended range of up to 250 miles. Charging options include a faster 95 kW DC fast charger or a standard 11 kW AC charger, taking around 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.