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MINI and legendary British fashion designer Paul Smith have teamed up again for the 2026 MINI Cooper Paul Smith Edition. After a series of one-off creations, this is the first production special edition that combines Smith’s quirky elegance with the all-electric MINI Cooper SE. We drove the three-door hatch in the U.S.-ready layout to see if it’s more than just a pretty face.
What do the Porsche 911, Mazda MX-5, and MINI Cooper have in common? They all love a special edition. But few partnerships are as natural as MINI and Paul Smith. The British designer—known for his colorful stripes and classic-with-a-twist philosophy—has been riffing on MINI for decades. In 1998, he painted a classic Mini in what became known as “Paul Smith Blue.” A year later, for the car’s 40th anniversary, he covered a Mini in 86 stripes in 26 colors. In 2021, the MINI STRIP stripped back everything, creating a raw, sustainable electric MINI. Then came the 2022 Recharged version, electrifying his original 1998 car.
Now, the MINI Paul Smith Edition is the first series-production model from their partnership. It was originally revealed in 2025 as an EV-only, but MINI quickly expanded to gas-powered three-door, five-door, and convertible bodystyles. We tested the Cooper SE three-door electric—the purest expression of the current MINI lineup and the ideal canvas for Smith’s artistry.
The Paul Smith Edition isn’t just a trim package; it’s a unique design. You can’t replicate it with the standard MINI Styles (Monochrome, Classic, Exclusive, Sport). There are three no-cost body colors: Inspired White (a nod to classic Mini Beige), Midnight Black Metallic, and Statement Grey—our test car’s hue, which looks more blue in person than its name suggests.
The roof is where the fun begins. You can choose the colorful Signature Stripe on one side, with the rest painted in Nottingham Green—a tribute to Smith’s hometown, also found on the grille surround and mirror caps. Alternatively, you can match the roof to the body color, or get our car’s Jet Black stripes in matte and gloss. (For the convertible, it’s a black soft-top only.) We’d pick the green roof with the colorful stripes; it’s more distinctive and costs the same.
The only wheel option is an 18-inch black alloy with green Paul Smith script on the center cap. Subtle changes include dark navy side skirts, lower bumper sections, a Paul Smith logo on the trunk handle, and a small stripe atop the rear window. It’s understated—maybe too much for fans expecting a full-body stripe extravaganza like the 40th-anniversary car.
Open the door, and you’re greeted by a sill reading “Every day is a new beginning”—Smith’s personal motto. At night, a hand-written “Hello” light projection appears on the ground. The cabin features a stylized rabbit sketch on the floor mats, a striped dashboard, and Paul Smith script on the lower steering wheel spoke. The fabric third spoke mimics Smith’s signature stripe. The seats are particularly nice: two-tone blue leather with striped fabric inserts and Paul Smith badging—they feel high-quality and supportive.
The 9.4-inch OLED round touchscreen remains a point of contention. It’s uniquely stylish but a bit fiddly: Apple CarPlay isn’t well integrated, and menus are buried. The Paul Smith Edition adds three exclusive background themes, but they’re hidden under the “Experiences” sub-menu—easy to miss. A small Easter egg for devoted owners.
Mechanically, the Paul Smith Edition is identical to the standard Cooper SE. The electric motor produces 215 hp (160 kW) and 243 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels. The 49.2 kWh battery (usable) delivers an EPA-estimated 247 miles of range. During our test in a heatwave (air conditioning on full blast), we averaged 4.2 miles per kWh—right in line with MINI’s claims. That’s competitive with the Chevrolet Bolt EV (259 miles) and ahead of the MINI Cooper E (186 miles).
Around town, the MINI feels zippy and responsive, with light, connected steering. But the suspension is firm—even for a MINI. It’s surprisingly stiff over bumps, which might be a deal-breaker for American buyers who prioritize comfort. On the highway, it settles down, but the ride is never plush. Car and Driver recently noted that the MINI Cooper SE’s ride quality “leans toward the sporty end of the spectrum,” and the Paul Smith Edition doesn’t change that.
The Paul Smith Edition starts at $38,900 for the Cooper E (36.6 kWh,
