Drove 8 electric cars in a day and the best was one of the cheapest'

Driving eight electric cars back-to-back at SMMT’s Drive Live event near Worcester last month, the author ranks the Mini Cooper Electric as the standout option, calling it one of the cheapest winners in the test. The test comes amid a broader affordability shift for UK drivers, as oil prices rose after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and further disruptions linked to Donald Trump’s war rhetoric with Iran, pushing up petrol and diesel costs more sharply than electricity. At £26,905 (RRP), the Mini’s appeal is its compact, nimble character and energetic driving feel, even if the dashboard relies heavily on a large touchscreen and offers few physical buttons. The writer praises the steering and communicative firm suspension, though notes the controls could be improved. The article then moves to the Kia EV2 (£27,995), which has won Car of the Year and Best Small Electric Car at the inaugural RAC New Car Awards earlier in 2026. The excerpt ends mid-comparison with other models.