What is covered in this review:
- What’s new for the Seat Mii Electric?
- Seat Mii Electric performance
- How does the Seat Mii Electric drive?
- Exterior of Seat Mii Electric
- Interior of Seat Mii Electric
- Seat Mii Electric spec
- Verdict on the Seat Mii Electric
The electric car revolution is well and truly upon us, with the UK government’s 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars looming over the heads of vehicle manufacturers.
However, many of the complaints surrounding EVs have centred on their price and that’s something this car - the SEAT Mii Electric - looks to combat. Let’s find out what it’s like.
What’s new?
The Mii might look familiar and there’s good reason for that. It’s been around as a conventional petrol-powered version since 2012 and, since that time, has changed very little. Back in 2019 the ‘regular’ Mii was ditched in favour of an electric-only version that came a year later, but it arrived with very few design changes.
The underpinnings are where the bulk of the changes lie - so let’s take a look at them.
What’s under the bonnet?
Underneath the front of the Mii Electric sits an 82bhp electric motor which is linked to a 36kWh battery. It pushes out a decent 212Nm of torque, which allows the Mii Electric to go from 0-60mph in just over 12 seconds - though it feels far nippier than this out on the road.
SEAT claims a range of up to 160 miles on a signal charge and it can accept a charge at speeds of 40kW, meaning an 80 per cent rapid charge would take an hour. Plug in at a home wallbox and a full charge will take just four hours.
What’s it like to drive?
The Mii Electric feels the most at home around town, where its nippy acceleration and light steering make it well-suited to darting in and out of traffic. There are very few gimmicks to the experience, too, with the only real adjustability coming in the form of the ability to tweak the severity of the regenerative braking.
Though the Mii Electric is more than up to the job of travelling further afield, this really is a car best suited to urban driving.
How does it look?
The Mii Electric’s design manages to still look fresh and new, despite the fact that the petrol version arrived on the scene some nine years ago. One slight criticism, however, is that there weren’t that many design touches implemented into the look of the Electric version to differentiate it from the petrol version.
However, it’s smart and good to look at, while it doesn’t shout about its electric powertrain, either.
What’s it like inside?
The cabin of the Mii Electric might be lacking in the ultra-wide screens that you’ll find in many other fully electric models, but it makes up for this with solid build quality and a variety of robust, hard-wearing materials.
There isn’t even a main touchscreen, rather a cradle for your smartphone which then links straight to the car. It’s simple, hassle-free and pleasingly easy to use, so you can understand why SEAT has chosen to go down this route. It saves money, too.
What’s the spec like?
Things are kept nice and simple when it comes to specifications for the Mii Electric - there’s just one. After that, the only real optional extras you can add are a £170 three-pin charging cable and a £70 ‘practicality package’, which adds a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a double boot floor.
That said, you’re not going to be left wanting for equipment as the Mii’s range of standard features is impressive. Highlights include heated seats, a heated windscreen and cruise control.
Verdict
Given that it starts from £20,300 after the government’s plug-in car grant, the Mii Electric represents excellent value for money. It makes it one of the most affordable EVs on the market and this will likely mean it appeals to quite a wide variety of buyers.
Add into the mix that the Mii is great to drive and easy to live with and it’s hard to find fault in this little EV.