Seat Mii Electric review

Zap-Map verdict: “Priced well and with a very useful range, the Seat Mii Electric makes a great case for those regularly driving in or around town.”

Range & charging

Considering how long the VW e-up! has been around, it is surprising that only now has Seat released the Mii Electric – a car that shares the same platform, powertrain, and many body panels. However, there is some sense to this decision, as a recent upgrade to the e-up! saw a larger capacity battery fitted for a longer range, plus a significant cut in price. Seat has taken advantage of these changes for its first pure-EV to launch, and is backing it to the degree that it has removed petrol options altogether from the Mii line-up.

There is one configuration available:

• • ● Seat Mii Electric – 83 kW – 36.8 kWh – 161 miles

The official 161 mile range may seem short to some, but it should be plenty for the majority of drivers in the UK. What’s good about that figure is that many will comfortably achieve or exceed it, particularly if sticking to town work. After more than 400 miles over a mixture of routes – and few purely urban – I averaged around 150 miles on a charge, but routes in built up areas saw that increased to 200+ miles with ease.

It’s simple to drive the Mii Electric efficiently, thanks in part to the four-stage brake energy recuperation available, selectable by knocking the gear selector left or right depending on required strength. Use the system rather than just stick it win D or B and forget about it, and many drivers will achieve around 200 miles before they need to charge again.

To charge the battery, Seat uses a CCS inlet which allows for AC charging at up to 7.2 kW and DC charging at up to 40 kW. The latter will see a top-up to 80% in around half an hour, or around five hours for a charge from home, work or public points.

On the road

The Mii Electric drives better than its previously-available petrol-powered counterpart, thanks to a lower centre of gravity due to the battery being placed in the floor. A four-square stance, and compact wheelbase means that the Seat drives particularly well in town and is a doddle to drive about car parks. These are its natural habitat of course, but the Mii Electric copes well with faster roads, even if it doesn’t excel.

The 83 kW motor gives good real-world performance, though isn’t as quick as many of its rivals. The 0-62 mph time is more than 12 seconds, but the instant pick-up at any legal speed makes the Seat feel quicker than that. It’s a nippy, nimble little car, and would suit drivers regularly driving in to venturing into urban areas.

Comfort & Practicality

The cabin isn’t particularly exciting, but it does a good job at what it needs to do. There is interest from a large plastic facade across the dashboard, but the rest of the interior is relatively simple. It works well however, and feels solidly built in key areas.

The feature that will grab the attention most is a smartphone cradle rather than a touchscreen infotainment system. It’s youthful and makes some sense, in that phones are regularly updated whilst infotainment systems rarely are. However, it will put some buyers off, even though the app that Seat provides works nicely. It does mean the screen will be smaller than many rival efforts, and it also means there’s a trailing cable across the centre console when plugged in, but it keeps the cost down and has some practical benefits.

Comfort levels are good for a small car, and the squared-off rear means that interior head and leg space for passengers in the back, plus boot space, is good for this class. The Mii Electric can certainly be considered as practical as some cars in the class above, and as such, will prove a tempting proposition for many buyers.

Tech & Specifications

The specification list is simple in that there’s only one trim level. It’s well equipped for its class, and proves excellent value for an EV considering its sub-£20,000 price. Alongside the adjustable brake energy recuperation system, there is also an Eco/Eco+ button to restrict performance and increase range, and the Seat app offers connected car systems such as pre-conditioning and remote charging control for added convenience and to maximise range.

The Seat Mii Electric might not automatically spring to mind when looking for a compact EV. That doesn’t mean it should be forgotten about though. It’s priced very well and has a good range for its size. Add in ideal urban-runabout attributes, and the Seat Mii Electric should certainly be looked at for those needing a small car – electric or otherwise.

Seat Mii Electric rivals