Should you buy one?

Unless you’ve got access to perfectly smooth roads, no. The whole point of a hot hatch is to combine everyday usability with a pleasing turn of pace, but the JCW Electric is just too unnecessarily firm to live with as a daily, especially in urban environments where it should be most at home.

Keen handling means it is fun on the right road, if not as entertaining as the cheaper petrol JCW or similarly priced Abarth 600e. Other MINI strong points such as the classy interior and many customisation options remain, we’d just recommend keeping to the comfier Cooper SE which costs less and goes farther on a charge.

What we like

It feels quick once you’re off the line and is enjoyably neutral in bends with good steering. The JCW also looks good inside and feels spacious for those up front.

What we don’t like

The suspension is ridiculously stiff so the JCW is uncomfortable most of the time. More physical buttons would be welcome for key functions inside, there’s loads of torque steer and it’s just as impractical as you’d expect.