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Model update: Seat Mii Electric

Date: 13 August 2020   |   Author: Simon Harris

From 2020, the Seat Mii is only available with an electric powertrain. Following the international launch at the start of the year, we try the car in the UK.
What's new:
We get behind the wheel of Seat's all-electric Mii to find out how it handles UK roads
Standard equipment:
Electric front windows, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, six airbags, hill hold control, lane-keeping assistance, remote central locking, traffic sign recognition, USB socket, DAB radio, LED daytime running lights, metallic paint, Bluetooth phone connection, 5in colour screen radio, 16in alloy wheels, smartphone integration with Drive Mii app, rear privacy glass, heated front seats, height-adjustable driver's seat, cruise control, air conditioning

In automotive terms, the Seat Mii is almost prehistoric. The basic design hasn't changed since it was launched around nine years ago, and it is expected to soldier on for another couple of years.

Part of this is due to the costly nature of developing cars with a limited opportunity for profit margin. Manufacturers team up to share development costs and assets are sweated for as long as possible.

The Mii was developed alongside the Volkswagen Up and Skoda Citigo, and launched in 2011. During the early years of the life cycle, an electric version of the Up was introduced as an option, while Sean and Skoda maintained petrol-only line-ups.

At the end of 2019 there was a minor facelift for all three, but a complete powertrain overhaul for Seat and Skoda, switching to electric-only.

The Mii Electric is priced at more or less the same level as the higher-grade Skoda Citigo-e IV, with Skoda offering a lower-priced entry-level version. But for those fleets that purchase outright, the Mii Electric is just under £20,000, including the £3,000 plug-in car grant.

This should be taken into account when looking at our running cost figures, as the depreciation figure will be based on the P11D value, which does not include this £3,000 discount. Our data supplier, KeeResources, works on the basis that grants will not be around forever, but for now, electric car running costs will have lower depreciation and costs per mile than the figures suggest.

The Mii's diminutive dimensions make it appealing as a city car. It's easy to drive, manoeuvre, and to park. Although there are rear parking sensors, looking over your shoulder when reversing gives you a pretty fair idea of where the rear of the car is.

The controls are light, and although the car is ageing, the instruments and controls feel modern enough. And our metallic white test car (metallic colours are a no-cost option on all Seat cars for transparency when it comes to P11D values) had a matching white trim panel across the dashboard.

Rear passengers don't have a great deal of legroom, even when sitting behind someone of average height in the front seats, and although people don't choose these cars if carrying passengers is a priority, more recent introductions in this class are packaged a little better.

It feels lively when required and, in everyday driving, appeared to be capable of the 160 or so miles suggested in the WLTP data. The Mii Electric starts in default mode, but can be switched to Eco, or even Eco+, to recapture more energy when slowing down, and to restrict throttle pedal exuberance.

While the Mii Electric isn't too exciting, and you could imagine those interested in a small EV to be eyeing up a Mini Electric, Honda E or new Fiat 500 as stylish and distinctive alternatives to this five-door model, the Seat has price on its side to some extent. Convincing a driver, who'll pay zero BIK tax on an electric car this year, with only tiny increases for the next two years, could be another matter.

Seat Mii Electric 

P11D: £22,745

Residual value: 28.8%

Depreciation: £16,195

Fuel: £2,003

Service, maintenance and repair: £1,206

Cost per mile: 32.3p

EV range: 161 miles

CO2 (BIK band): 0g/km (0%) 

BIK 20/40% a month: £0/£0

Boot space: 251 litres

Engine power: 83hp


Verdict


7/10
  • Simplicity
  • Low costs
  • Range management features
  • Tight rear legroom
  • Design feels old

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