2025 MINI 3 Doorr John Cooper Works Electric Review

The competition in Malaysia's B-segment electric vehicle market has become increasingly intense in recent years. Consumers not only seek brand recognition but also expect a balanced performance and configuration — the 2025 MINI 3 Door John Cooper Works Electric (referred to as MINI JCW Electric) is designed to meet this demand. As the first fully electric JCW model from MINI, it not only continues the sporty DNA of the JCW series but also brings upgrades in smart features and practicality in range. The main purpose of this test drive is to verify whether it can satisfy both driving enthusiasts' desires and the practicality needs of daily commuting.

In terms of appearance, the new car retains MINI's classic three-door hatchback design, with compact and dynamic overall lines. The front adopts a smoked grille design, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides. The circular daytime running lights inside the headlights maintain the brand's iconic design and have high recognition when illuminated. On the car's side, the 18-inch sport wheels with red brake calipers directly echo the performance identity of the JCW series. The roofline smoothly transitions from the A-pillar to the rear, and the floating roof design enhances the sporty look. At the rear, the combination of the spoiler and the lower diffuser emphasizes the sporty atmosphere, while the LED taillights also use a circular design, echoing the front fascia.

Inside the car, the interior style is simple yet refined. The central console features a circular MINI OLED display as the core, offering high resolution and smooth operation, integrating navigation, multimedia, vehicle settings, and more. In terms of materials, the seats are made with a combination of leather and Alcantara, providing a fine texture. Parts of the door panels and dashboard are covered with soft-touch materials, enhancing the quality feel of the interior. For features, the front seats support electric adjustment, and the HUD heads-up display can show speed, navigation, and other information in real-time, eliminating the need to look down. The Harman Kardon surround sound system further enhances the in-car entertainment experience. The intelligent safety configurations are also comprehensive, with standard features like ACC adaptive cruise control, 360-degree panoramic cameras, automatic parking, lane-keeping assist, and active braking, making daily driving highly convenient.

In terms of space, the car measures 3858mm×1756mm×1460mm, with a wheelbase of 2526mm. The front row offers ample space, with a passenger of 175cm able to adjust the seat and still have a fist's worth of headroom. The rear space is relatively tight, with a passenger of the same height able to have around two fingers of legroom and a fist's worth of headroom, making it suitable for short trips. Regarding storage capacity, the central front armrest box and door storage compartments can hold small items such as phones and water bottles. The trunk has a capacity of 210L, sufficient for daily personal belongings, and the rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split to expand the storage space. Additionally, the rear row is equipped with air conditioning vents and USB ports to enhance passenger comfort.

For power specifications, the new car is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering a maximum power of 190kW (258PS) and a maximum torque of 350N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 200km/h. During actual driving, switching to Sport mode results in a quick start response, with noticeable thrust when the accelerator is pressed down by one-third, and the power output is direct during overtaking, with smooth mid-range acceleration. In Standard mode, the power output is more gentle, making it suitable for daily commuting. In terms of handling, the steering wheel is precise with minimal play, and the vehicle responds sensitively when cornering. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned towards a sporty feel. It quickly absorbs bumps when driving over speed bumps, maintaining a stable body posture, and provides good control over body roll during corners, balancing handling performance with comfort.

In the range and energy consumption section, the new car is equipped with a 54.2kWh battery pack, with an official pure electric range of 371km. In actual tests, under urban driving conditions at a speed of about 80km/h, the range achievement rate is approximately 85%, with an energy consumption of 14.8kWh/100km; under highway conditions at a speed of 110km/h, the range achievement rate is about 75%, with an energy consumption of 16.2kWh/100km. Overall, the performance meets expectations. In fast charging mode, it can charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes, while slow charging takes 5.25 hours, catering to different energy replenishment scenarios. As for driving comfort, the cabin has good sound insulation. At speeds below 60km/h, tire and wind noise are not noticeable. When driving at high speeds, wind noise increases slightly but is still within an acceptable range. The seats provide good support, ensuring comfort during long drives.

Overall, the 2025 MINI JCW Electric has three core advantages: first, high brand recognition and a sporty appearance that aligns with the aesthetics of young consumers; second, strong performance and excellent handling to meet the needs of driving enthusiasts; third, comprehensive configuration with intelligent safety and comfort features comparable to vehicles in the same class. Compared to competitors like the Volkswagen ID.3 or Honda e:NP1, the MINI JCW Electric stands out more in terms of brand identity and sporty performance. Although the rear space is not particularly spacious, it has little impact for users who prioritize individuality and driving experience.

This car is suitable for two types of consumers: one is young people who value individuality and driving pleasure, as its sporty appearance and performance can meet their needs; the other is users who mainly commute daily and occasionally go on short trips, as its range and configuration can cover everyday usage scenarios. Overall, the 2025 MINI 3 Door JCW Electric is a pure electric vehicle that balances brand identity, sporty performance, and practicality, making it highly competitive in the B-segment electric vehicle market.