2025 Mini Cooper Hardtop: Gas and Electric Versions Explained

The 2025 Mini Cooper marks a major turning point for the British brand. For the first time, Mini is releasing two distinct vehicles that share the same name and general aesthetic but are built on entirely different mechanical foundations. While they look like siblings on the surface, the internal engineering separates them into two different worlds.

If you are looking to buy a new Mini, understanding the difference between the combustion engine (petrol) model and the dedicated electric vehicle (EV) is critical. This guide breaks down the specific technical, visual, and performance differences between the 2025 Mini Cooper S (Gas) and the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric.

Two Cars, One Name

In previous years, the electric Mini was simply a gas Mini with the engine swapped out for a battery. That is no longer the case. The 2025 lineup consists of two separate platforms:

  • The Gas Model (Code F66): This is a heavy evolution of the previous generation Mini. It retains the older chassis architecture to accommodate the combustion engine but has been restyled to match the new modern look.
  • The Electric Model (Code J01): This is a completely new car built on a dedicated EV platform developed in partnership with Great Wall Motor. It was designed from the ground up to be electric.

Because they use different chassis, they have slightly different proportions. The electric version has a longer wheelbase and a wider track to accommodate the floor-mounted battery, while the gas version retains the footprint of the traditional Mini Hardtop.

The 2025 Mini Cooper S (Gas)

For buyers who are not ready to switch to electric, Mini offers the updated Cooper S. In the United States, this model arrives first. It keeps the “go-kart” feeling fans love but introduces a significant amount of new technology.

Performance Specs

The 2025 Cooper S is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It produces 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This allows the hatchback to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6.3 seconds.

The base “Cooper C” (available in some markets) uses a smaller 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, but the 2.0-liter “S” is the primary focus for performance-oriented buyers.

Transmission Changes

A major change for 2025 is the transmission. There is no manual transmission option available. Every 2025 gas Mini comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While this may disappoint purists, the dual-clutch system offers faster shifts and improved fuel efficiency compared to a traditional torque-converter automatic.

Visual Identifiers (How to Spot the Gas Model)

You can identify the gas-powered F66 model by looking for these specific design traits:

  • Clamshell Hood: The hood wraps around the headlights and incorporates the fender, a classic Mini trait.
  • Wheel Arches: It features traditional black plastic cladding around the wheel wells.
  • Door Handles: It uses traditional pull-style door handles.
  • Grille: The front grille is open to allow airflow to the engine radiator.

The 2025 Mini Cooper Electric

The electric version represents the future of the brand. Because it does not need to fit a bulky engine and transmission, the designers were able to push the wheels further to the corners, maximizing interior space.

Performance and Range

The electric model generally comes in two variants, though availability depends on the market:

  • Cooper E: Features a 40.7 kWh battery and a 184 horsepower motor.
  • Cooper SE: The performance version features a 54.2 kWh battery and produces 218 horsepower with 243 lb-ft of torque.

The Cooper SE boasts a 0 to 62 mph time of 6.7 seconds. Regarding range, the Cooper SE is rated for approximately 250 miles on the European WLTP cycle. US EPA estimates are typically lower, likely landing closer to the 200-mile mark once officially tested.

Visual Identifiers (How to Spot the EV)

The J01 electric model looks cleaner and more modern than its gas counterpart:

  • Standard Hood: The hood does not wrap around the headlights; it is a simple panel on top of the nose.
  • No Wheel Arch Cladding: The fenders are painted body-color, eliminating the black plastic rings found on the gas model.
  • Flush Door Handles: The handles are flush with the bodywork for better aerodynamics.
  • Closed Grille: The octagonal grille area is largely closed off since there is no engine to cool.

Interior Technology: The Great Equalizer

Despite their mechanical differences, Mini has ensured that the interior experience is nearly identical between the two versions. Both cars feature the new minimalistic interior design language called “Charismatic Simplicity.”

The Circular OLED Display The centerpiece of the dashboard is a 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen. This single unit handles everything from speed and instrument cluster data to navigation and climate control. It runs the new Mini Operating System 9, which is Android-based and features distinct “Experience Modes” (Core, Green, Go-Kart) that change the display colors and throttle response.

The Toggle Bar Below the screen sits a small oval toggle bar containing five physical switches:

  1. Parking brake
  2. Gear selector
  3. Start/Stop key (twisted like a classic key)
  4. Experience Mode toggle
  5. Volume knob

Both cars also feature the new fabric dashboard materials made from recycled polyester, which uses a unique knitting process to create a dual-tone texture.

Pricing and Availability

The pricing structure highlights the positioning of these cars in the market.

  • Gas Pricing: The 2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 2-Door starts at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $32,200 plus destination fees. Production began in early 2024 at the Oxford, UK plant.
  • Electric Pricing: Availability for the new J01 electric model is complex. It is currently manufactured in China. Due to current tariff regulations, the new electric Cooper is not immediately entering the US market in 2025. Mini plans to move production of the EV to the UK by 2026, which will open the door for North American sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a manual transmission in the 2025 Mini Cooper? No. Mini has discontinued the manual transmission for the 2025 model year. Both the gas and electric versions are automatic only.

Is the gas Mini Cooper bigger than the electric one? They are very similar in size, but the electric model has a slightly longer wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) to accommodate the battery pack. However, the gas model is slightly longer overall due to the front overhang required for the engine components.

Do both cars use the same infotainment system? Yes. Both the gas (F66) and electric (J01) models use the exact same 9.4-inch circular OLED display and Mini Operating System 9 software.

Which model is faster? The gas-powered Cooper S is slightly faster, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds, compared to the Cooper SE Electric’s 6.7 seconds (0-62 mph). However, the electric model will feel more responsive at low speeds due to instant torque.