Mini’s latest battery-electric Cooper launched a handful of years ago as the Mini Electric. Though, you might know it better as the Mini Cooper SE if you live outside of the UK. This Mini Cooper SE takes the basic bones of the most recent Cooper Hardtop and stuffs a 32.64 kWh capacity battery under the floor and a single, 181 hp electric motor to power the front wheels. The interior, too, sticks with the broad strokes of Mini’s design ethos and features a large circle in the middle of the dashboard that echoes Mini design of yesteryear but is home to a touchscreen infotainment system.

On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek’s executive editor Tom Murphy hops behind the wheel of the 2023 Mini Cooper SE and puts it through its paces. Murphy takes you on a guided tour of the Cooper SE and highlights some design elements. Later, Murphy takes you along for a live drive review. Adding to the discussion, Murphy chats with host Wesley Wren. Murphy and Wren chat about what sets this Mini’s features, if it still has the Mini’s spirit, and how Mini is doing against the competition. Closing the show, the pair break down what makes this Mini Cooper SE special.