Electric cars have gained momentum in recent years, with electric pickups invading structure sites and even high-end electric motorcycles making headlines. With the growing popularity of electric cars, it was expected that budget sedans would begin to appear. The Chevrolet Bolt EV and Mini Cooper SE are the first entries into this new category of affordable small electric cars, ranging from $30,000 to $35,000.
Electric cars may be the same size, but price is just one of the significant differences between the Chevrolet Bolt EV and the Mini Cooper SE, differences that make one a serious little family circle and the other a fun toy for short trips. . in the city and afternoons in the city. While it is difficult to make an objective judgment about the most productive vehicle, it would depend on your priorities, habits, and private tastes, there are some spaces in which one outperforms the other, despite their similarities.
The 2023 Mini Cooper SE is the third edition of Mini’s two-door, front-wheel drive electric sedan. If you’ve ever noticed a Mini Cooper, you’ll know it’s not exactly designed to be practical. All the comic relief they once were, the Cooper is and has been a small car. The Mini Cooper SE 2023 is no other, which is rarely very unexpected, since it is necessarily just an electrified edition of modern Cooper petrol models.
The Mini Cooper is hailed by critics for being pleasantly compact and agile on the road, reminiscent of its predecessors, but strengthened through the extra-low kick of an electric motor. Coupled to a single engine that produces 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque at the vehicle’s front wheels. Mini equips the basic Cooper SE style well, with the vehicle boasting a wide diversity of protection features, such as Active Driving Assistant and Dynamic Stability Control, as well as creature comfort such as heated seats and steering wheel, while innovations are basically all about finish and aesthetics. more than with functionality or scope.
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV is an iterative improvement over the 2022 styling that particularly reduces the initial value to $26,595 for the 1LT trim point, which undoubtedly stacks the bridge in its favor over the Mini Cooper SE. The 2LT equipment point increases that initial value to $29,795 and includes some additional amenities, such as perforated leather seat upgrades, a heated steering wheel, 17-inch machined front aluminum wheels and adaptive cruise control, among others.
The 2023 Bolt ships with what Chevrolet calls a complex lithium-ion battery of more than 65 kilowatt hours, which powers the 200-horsepower, 150 kW permanent magnet electric motor that drives the vehicle’s front wheels. The Chevrolet Bolt’s engine and battery are more than adequate, while Chevrolet’s safety assistant includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, grip distance indicator, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning and Intellibeam automatic upper beam assist.
In terms of additional protection features, Chevrolet’s online vehicle manufacturer also allows you to equip the 2023 Bolt with optional lane departure alert, rear parking assist, blind zone alert, and rear cross traffic alert, all of which make the Bolt an attractive package if you’re in for practicality and protection.
When it comes to a vehicle’s interior, the entertainment package can make a big difference in your choice. While you can upgrade your vehicle’s audio formula with spare speakers, upgrading the built-in streaming features will be more complex. It’s worth mentioning that the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Mini Cooper SE come with wireless Apple CarPlay, but that’s where the similarities end. The Bolt EV also ships with Android Auto, while the only other trendy connectivity option included in the Cooper SE is SiriusXM satellite radio with a loose 12. -month subscription.
In addition to entertainment, the Cooper SE wins in the creature convenience segment, with heated leather seats and a popular guide steering wheel. The entry-level Mini Cooper SE is better equipped, but was upgraded to the 2LT edition of the Bolt EV and decided on the option. The infotainment package gives you heated front seats and steering wheel, an improved stereo system, and a vastly improved array of accessories that put it on par with the Mini Cooper SE once again. Plus, the upgraded 2LT Bolt EV still costs nearly $3,500 less than the base-style Mini Cooper at $30,765.
Note: Mini lists a heated guide wheel as a popular choice in the SE, but also includes it as a paid upgrade option at the online vehicle manufacturer, so it’s more productive to check with a broker if you’re interested in buying one.
When you talk about functionality, range, and charging, you start to see the difference between the Mini Cooper SE and the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The engines have similar output: two hundred horsepower and 150 kW for the Bolt EV, 181 horsepower and 135 kW for the Cooper SE, and the functionality figures tell a similar story.
Mini claims the Cooconsistent with the 2023 SE takes 6. 9 seconds to travel 60 miles per hour, while Chevrolet claims the Bolt EV has an impressive 6. 5 seconds. When it comes to diversity, the EV-consistent Mini Coo is starting to show its cracks. Even more, which adds to the unfortunate negative stereotype that electric cars are impractical. While Chevrolet claims the 2023 Bolt EV can go 259 miles on a full charge, Mini puts the SE-compatible 2023 Coo at about 110 pitiful miles. With more than twice the diversity of the Coo consistent with SE, this is a clear win for the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The Mini Coo consistent with SE alignment can be improved, but thanks completely, either car comes with one-pedal driving and adjustable regenerative braking to maximize power and diversity.
Things don’t look good for the Mini Cooper SE in terms of functionality or battery life right now, but it’s worth noting that the 2023 Mini Cooper SE has won the hearts of critics thanks to its wonderful handling and responsiveness. While the costs are similar, the cars aren’t entirely targeting the same demographic: the Bolt EV aims for practicality with its giant garage spaces and long legs, while the Cooper SE is aimed at those who love to drive and need a fun, unique ride more than a workaholic. .
While the Cooper SE and Bolt EV support DC fast charging, as well as normal 240- and 120-volt charging, Chevrolet excels at providing a Level 2 loose charging facility with the lease or purchase of all 2023 Bolt EVs. Mini scores up to 50kW on DC fast-charging stations, reaching 80% (88 miles) in just 36 minutes, while Chevrolet claims to rate up to a hundred miles in about 30 minutes of DC fast charging.
Given the real cost gun, i. e. things don’t look good for the Mini Cooper SE in terms of performance, range or cost. Gravity, excellent handling and kart-like driving characteristics. While the costs are similar, the cars don’t entirely target the same demographic: the Bolt EV targets cost and practicality with its giant garage spaces, long legs, and top drive, while the Cooper SE is aimed at someone who loves to drive and needs a unique and fun ride more than a workaholic.
Deciding which car is the most productive leans toward subjectivity, but it’s clear that the Mini Cooper SE has more flaws, and more serious, than the Chevrolet Bolt EV, making the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV the practical choice for most people.