The Mini Cooper SE electric vehicles [BMW KOREA]

Koreans are said to have a disinclination toward smaller vehicles. BMW is doing its best to change that with the simply adorable Mini Cooper SE.The company might have some luck, as the three-door hatchback electric vehicle (EV) is a real pip. BMW would probably do even better if the little Mini had a bit more range.The Mini Cooper SE is the first all-electric EV under the Mini brand. The British automaker plans to go all-EV by the early 2030s. The Korea JoongAng Daily recently took the cute-as-a-button EV on a 35-kilometer (22-mile) spin around Seoul, passing the exhibition center in Gangnam, southern Seoul, and stopping for a spot of brunch at a cafe in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul. The test-driving course was quite unique as the Mini Electric is most suitable for city driving, the company said. The exterior of the Mini Electric is little changed from previous Minis. But the 'energetic yellow' — added to its side mirrors, emblems, and interior panels — stood out. The vehicle is only 3,850 millimeters (152 inches) long, 1,725 millimeters wide, and 1,430 millimeters high, and that is abundantly clear on the inside. The back seat was even a bit too cramped for this 5-foot-3-inch reporter, unless the front seat is moved forward. The truck storage capacity is 211 liters (56 gallons) and expands to 731 liters when the back seats are folded down. Cornering and parking were very easy even on the narrow alleys of Seoul due to the small size. The noise was barely noticeable. The one-pedal driving system was especially convenient as it allowed the driver to use one pedal to accelerate and decelerate the vehicle. When easing up off the pedal, the car slowed down on its own and came to a complete stop.It felt like safety was guaranteed, as the car alerted the driver when veering into another lane. With a maximum of 184 horsepower and 27.5 kilogram-meters of torque, the little hatchback only takes 7.3 seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour. Rough roads were not particularly fun in the Mini. This reporter never felt motion sickness while driving any other cars but felt carsick for the first time driving this EV.

The back of the Mini Electric [BMW KOREA]

[TEST DRIVE] Mini car, max cute, micro range