Wuling MINI EV: the antidote to electric-car excess

Sales success that refuses to fade

The Wuling MINI EV thrives because it sticks to a simple mission: cheap, usable electric mobility for dense cities. It has faced years of new micro-EV rivals and constant price pressure from larger budget cars, yet it continues to attract buyers. Recent momentum looks especially strong, with roughly 120,000 units moved across October and November, and total sales since the earlier generation reaching about 1.8 million units.

Pricing that behaves like a cheat code

The MINI EV wins hearts by keeping the entry price close to motorcycle money. The 2025 range tops out around $8,000, and a base car can land around $6,500. In Shanghai, a license plate can cost more than twice the price of the car it's attached to, which says everything about how inexpensive this little EV can be.

More usable shape, less charming looks

The latest MINI EV grows by more than 30 cm compared with the 2020 model, and the extra length makes room for an additional set of doors. That change improves daily usability, especially for short trips that involve both passengers and cargo. Wheel size also increases from 12 inches to 13 inches, but the tires remain extremely narrow at 155 section width, which matches the car’s budget-first brief.

Styling that grows up, for better and worse

The newer shape brings more practicality, but it sands off some of the original car's cartoon-like charm. The older model wore its upright, squared-off proportions with confidence. The newer four-door design looks smoother and more generic, especially in the beige color called Sweet Coffee.

Base trim reality: basic, but thoughtfully equipped

The base car covers the essentials without pretending to be fancy. It includes air conditioning, power windows, central locking, and a 7-inch instrument display that also shows the backup camera feed. Instead of the larger center screen found on higher trims, the base version uses a simple shelf for a phone and adds two charging ports up front. With 30 kW (41 hp) from the rear motor, the car responds quickly enough in town that an unsecured phone can slide into the footwell during hard starts.

Higher trims add conveniences like auto-hold, keyless start, and LED headlights. They also add a proper Park position on the selector, while the base car sticks to R, N, and D and relies on a manual parking brake. The longer wheelbase suggests a roomier back seat, but rear legroom remains limited. With the front seats set for an average-height driver (5'9"/1.75 m), rear passengers end up with knees against the seatbacks.

Refinement: city-friendly, highway-hostile

The MINI EV doesn't chase refinement, and it shows. Wind and tire noise climb sharply above 60 km/h, and the two-speaker system struggles to compete. Media options stay limited, with radio and no Bluetooth or streaming. Around town, wind noise matters less, but the rear motor and the air-conditioning whine still dominate.

The low curb weight of about 760 kg (under 1,700 lb) fits the minimalist approach. The base car includes a driver airbag but skips the passenger airbag found on higher trims. It relies mainly on ABS for electronic aids, while higher trims add stability and traction control.

At higher speeds, the skinny tires and short wheelbase create a busy feel, and the base model's limited range discourages long-distance driving. In cities, that same short wheelbase turns into an advantage, making tight turns and parking easy.

Battery, range, and charging: the real upgrade

The base model uses a 16.2 kWh LFP battery with a claimed 205 km CLTC range, while top-spec versions use a 25.1 kWh pack rated at 301 km CLTC. More importantly, this generation adds fast charging and claims a 30–80 percent session in about 35 minutes.

Takeaway

The Wuling MINI EV delivers cheap, usable urban transportation, now with a more practical body and dramatically improved charging. It won't satisfy buyers who want quiet cruising or highway comfort, but it nails the brief for dense-city life and proves how far simplicity can go.