Mini Cooper SE vs. Nissan Leaf: Which One Win?

As global warming continues to wreak havoc on our globe, eco-conscious drivers are opting for electric automobiles. EVs are still a relatively new concept, and many prospective buyers may be hesitant to purchase one. Will it perish before you reach your destination? What if you are unable to locate a charging station? Of course, which is the best? The Mini Cooper SE and Nissan Leaf are two of the most underappreciated EVs on the market. Both have a stylish style, a fair price, and a range of more than 100 miles. Choosing which is best for you, though, boils down to comparing their major qualities.

Mini Cooper SE vs. Nissan Leaf: Side-by-Side Comparison

	Mini Cooper SE	Nissan Leaf
Battery Pack	32.6 kWh Li-ion; 94 cells	40 kWh Li-ion; 192 cells
Horsepower	181 hp	147 hp
Maximum Range	114 miles	149 miles
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Top Speed	93 mph	89 mph
Price	Starting at around $30,000	Starting at around $28,000

Mini Cooper SE vs. Nissan Leaf: What s the Difference?

Size

The Mini Cooper SE is a compact electric vehicle that is approximately 56.4 inches tall and 68 inches wide. The Leaf is slightly larger, measuring around 62 inches tall and 71 inches broad. The size changes on the outside are insignificant; the interior is where you’ll truly notice a difference. In a Nissan Leaf, back passengers enjoy about three inches more legroom and four inches more shoulder room. The Nissan Leaf also features an outstanding 23.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity, compared to the Mini Cooper SE’s tiny 8.7 cubic feet.

Handling

Despite its lack of interior capacity, the Mini Cooper SE excels in terms of handling. The battery of this EV is in the floor, which lowers its center of gravity and improves handling. Although the steering is heavy, you’ll feel confident driving through twisty country roads.

The handling of the Nissan Leaf is average, not horrible, but nothing to write home about. Although the handling is precise enough to traverse twisting roads, it is not as smooth as the Mini.

Charging

Both of these EVs can utilize 50 kW rapid chargers, but the Mini charges to 80% in roughly 36 minutes, and the Leaf takes 40 minutes to charge to 80%. The Mini SE employs a CCS charger, which is a more universal choice for consumers in North America. The Nissan Leaf, on the other hand, relies on a CHAdeMO charger, which might be difficult to locate in North America.

Range and Charger-Support Comparison

The Nissan Leaf has a range of 149 miles, which is 35 miles longer than the Mini. You may even upgrade to the Nissan Leaf S Plus, which has a 62kWh battery with a range of 226 miles. On paper, the Nissan Leaf is the superior option for a lengthy trip, but keep in mind that the Mini Cooper SE charges to 80% faster than the Leaf and has a CCS charger, which is more prevalent in North America. But does this mean that CHAdeMO chargers for your Nissan Leaf will be impossible to find? Not exactly.

There are at least 8,000 CHAdeMO chargers in the United States, according to the CHAdeMO Association. It is also worth mentioning that while CHAdeMO chargers are used by only two EV models in the United States, the vehicle-to-charger ratio for CHAdeMO EVs is significantly higher.

Price Comparison

The regular Nissan Leaf will cost roughly $28,000, while the Mini Cooper SE will cost around $30,000. The Nissan Leaf S Plus is about $34,000, and the Leaf SV Plus is about $35,400. Each model, like other vehicles, comes with a few possible improvements. For example, you may add the Mini Electric’s Driver Assistance package for an extra $750.

Safety Comparison

Both the Leaf and Mini offer lane-departure warnings, giving you an extra layer of protection on extended drives. Both have self-driving capabilities, but you’ll have to pay more for them. Still, adding autonomous capabilities to the Mini Cooper SE is around $700 less expensive than upgrading the Leaf. But does this mean the Cooper SE’s autonomous features are a better value? Not at all. The autonomous capabilities of the Nissan Leaf include automatic speed and lane-positioning adjustments, but the Mini merely has adaptive cruise control and parking assist.

With the extra safety features out of the way, let’s get down to business: how do they handle crashes? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not released any Mini Cooper SE test results. However, because the body shape is essentially comparable to that of the gas-powered Mini Coopers, we can utilize the findings of those tests to determine how safe the SE is in the case of a collision.

The Mini Cooper did well in the IIHS’s front driver-side crash tests. The front and side airbags kept crash test dummies from smashing against any of the vehicle’s rigid surfaces, and leg and foot injuries were minimal. Similarly, the Nissan Leaf performed admirably in terms of preventing head, neck, leg, and chest injuries. The Mini’s side airbags kept the rear passenger’s head from slamming into the glass during side-impact tests. The side-impact ratings for the Nissan Leaf’s structure and safety cage were much lower, and rear passengers were at risk of pelvic injury. The child seat anchors in both vehicles obtained marginal ratings.

Tax Credit Eligibility

If purchased in 2022, both models are eligible for the $7,500 tax credit for clean automobiles. To qualify for this tax credit, a vehicle’s final assembly must take place in North America, and the MSRP cannot exceed $55,000. Nissan Leafs are typically built in Smyrna, Tennessee, but the Mini is built in Oxford, England, so Mini SEs purchased in 2023 will not be eligible for the credit.

Mini Cooper SE vs. Nissan Leaf: 5 Must-Know Facts

• In 2019, Nissan unveiled an AWD version of the Nissan Leaf, but it wasn t made available for purchase. The company said it was a proof-of-concept for an upcoming line of EVs featuring AWD.
• The Mini Cooper SE takes around 6.9 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, while the Nissan Leaf takes 8.3 seconds to do the same.
• The standard Mini Cooper SE comes with an 8.8-inch central information screen and lane-departure warnings.
• The standard Nissan Leaf has a keyless start and an 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• The Leaf SV Plus model offers a Pro Pilot upgrade that automatically adjusts speed and lane position.

Mini Cooper SE vs. Nissan Leaf: Which One is Better?

The solution to this question is dependent on your individual requirements. If you want a dependable EV with plenty of storage capacity and a reasonable range, the Nissan Leaf is the vehicle for you. If you want something compact and attractive, though, the Mini Cooper SE is the way to go.

Overall, the Nissan Leaf will be the best option for the majority of consumers. Although it employs an older charging method, there are less CHAdeMO vehicles on the road and plenty of CHAdeMO stations in the United States, so charging your vehicle should be quite simple. The Leaf stands out for its low price, long range, and self-driving capabilities.