Coming up to a year on sale, our current Business Car of the Year, the Cooper EV hatch range is finally complete, with the addition of the sportiest and most powerful John Cooper Works (JCW) version. The EV will be sold alongside the recently available ICE versions.
The all-electric Mini Cooper JCW, like the E and SE, is an all-new model, unlike the heavily made-over third-generation ICE-powered hatches, and is manufactured in China.
Design and interior
Outside, the Cooper in our opinion, is still the best-looking model in the latest Mini range. Although, it’s disappointing that the JCW electric version looks so like the lesser Sport version that’s already on sale. The only differences are the red body kit highlights and brake calliper colour. Also, there’s a chequered flag decal around the rear numberplate, and unique JCW 18in wheels.
The interior of the JCW Mini, like the exterior, also disappoints by how similar again it is to Sport specification. However, we like the look and feel, which as we’ve said before, is heavily influenced by the original Classic Mini. On top of the attractive, vertically styled, woollen-trimmed dashboard, here with its checkered flag trim, you can’t miss the circular OLED display. It runs the Android-based Mini Operating System 9, with all the functions of the car operated by touch or voice control. Previous experience still tells us there’s a lot going on in a circular screen with a diameter of 240mm. But it is easy to operate, and impressively fast in its operation.
Below this, there’s the Classic Mini-influenced toggle bar, which is home to key driving functions such as the parking brake, gear selector, and the start/stop key – which you twist, in a novel touch harking back to the original.
Elsewhere, there’s plenty of attractive fabric trim, and comfortable, supportive front sports seats. Although, as with the rest of the Cooper range, the plastics feel cheaper and less premium than before. You won’t buy a Cooper JCW for its rear and boot space either, as they are both best described as tight.
Performance and drive
Underneath, the Cooper JCW is powered by the biggest 54.2 kWh battery, and a 258hp electric motor. This equals a 0-62mph acceleration time of 5.9 seconds, a top speed of 124mph, and a range of 251miles – all with a company car BIK tax liability of 3%.
The Cooper JCW, as you’d expect, is an exciting drive. However, it’s disappointing Mini didn’t fit the JCW with a proper limited-slip differential like the Abarth 600e has. As such, we believe it will be quite difficult to make the most of the sub six-second acceleration. In all drive modes, but worst in ‘Go-Kart’ mode, this Mini struggles for traction – all with unwelcome added torque steer. Best not at full throttle then, but when you can hook this Cooper up, the light, but direct and precise steering, along with the tidy, sharp handling, equal a surprising amount of speed that can be carried through corners.
Then there’s the ride. As we’ve previously found, the E and SE versions ride more firmly than the ICE hatch. The JCW, as expected, is stiffer still, which at first adds to the go-kart feel. However, it can frustrate after a while, when this Mini won’t settle on anything less than smoother, faster roads.
Finally, previous experience with our long-term Cooper, and current Aceman, suggests it might be difficult to get the full WLTP 251-mile range. Even with careful use, the most range we saw with this car was 190 miles, which drops even quicker if you use the performance available. Still, the JCW can be charged from 10 to 80% in under 30 minutes.
The Mini Cooper JCW is one of the most capable, and fun-to-drive EVs on-sale – as long as its shortcomings can be lived with.
Positive: Look great inside and out, exciting to drive, keen performance.
Negative: Uncompromising ride might be too stiff for some, lack of limited-slip differential equals traction issues, question marks over the EV range, SE easier to live with, not a cheap choice.
Standard equipment: LED headlights and tail lights, 18in alloy wheels, Mini OLED display, DAB radio, Mini Driving Modes, two-zone automatic climate control, dynamic cruise control, parking assistant and rear camera, Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration.
Engines: Electric: 258hp
Equipment grades: E, SE, JCW
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
| Model | Mini Cooper Electric John Cooper Works 54kWh |
| P11D | £34,840 |
| Residual value | 41.8% |
| Depreciation | £20,499 |
| Fuel | £3,291 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £1,680 |
| Cost per mile | 42.45p |
| Range | 251 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (3%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £17/£35 |
| Luggage capacity | 210 litres |
| Battery size/power | 54.2kWh/258hp |
| Score | 7/10 |
