Now that electric vehicles are filling up the market, prices for some of them are becoming more affordable. But people aren’t always interested in saving money on fuel. Some like having the speed to get around. Well, the Mini Electric Hardtop helps bridge that gap. 

U.S. News named this Mini as one of the speediest vehicles you can get for under $30,000. How can an EV like this be considered fast?

Why is it surprising to see the Mini Electric Hardtop on the list?

When discussing cars that are fast, you rarely think of an electric car before a gasoline-powered one. But, occasionally, an electric vehicle pops up that will give the internal combustion engine a run for its money. 

In this case, the Mini Electric Hardtop is one of the EVs making waves in the auto industry. While it’s not exactly a NASCAR model, it still holds its own quite well on the road, and it turns out it’s pretty affordable too at $29,900. But it’s not as surprising as you might think.

Electrical power tends to deliver energy differently than a gasoline motor does. With engines running on gas, power builds up gradually before you finally get up to speed. 

When dealing with electric motors, however, power is at your fingertips instantly as you press down on the accelerator. As you go faster, the power starts tapering off. 

How well does the Mini Electric Hardtop perform?

The electric motor found in the Mini Electric produces 181 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. Paired with this engine is a single-speed transmission, which isn’t awe-worthy on paper, but packs a punch on the road. There’s no need to press the pedal further to the floor when you go to merge or pass with this car. 

As for EPA ratings, you can expect 115 MPGe on city roads, and 100 MPGe when traveling on the highway. The only issue here, though, is the fact that it has a 110-mile driving range on a single charge. However, it might be plenty for those just wanting a daily commuter. 

So, how fast can it go? Well, according to U.S. News, it can go from 0 to 60 mph in seven seconds. Plus, its top speed is clocked at 93 mph, which is pretty good for an agile car that people find fun to drive. 

Some people are turned off by the fact that, currently, an EV battery costs quite a lot to fix or replace. While that’s true even for the Mini, it’s not something to be too concerned about, because you get an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty with your purchase, making this hardtop even more affordable. 

What other vehicles can be found on the list?

While the Mini Electric Hardtop is the only unique vehicle on the list, you can find several hybrid models as well. The Honda Accord Hybrid has a four-cylinder engine and a dual electric motor combination that produces a total of 212 hp. The acceleration time for a 0 to 60 mph run is seven seconds. You can find an MSRP for this model of $26,370.

Another hybrid model on the list is from the RAV4 lineup. It has two electric motors and a four-cylinder engine, producing 219 hp. You can expect to pay about $28,500 for it. Along with that is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, which has one electric motor and a four-cylinder engine that generates 192 hp, which costs about $27,750.

Also, on the list are gas-powered models as well. The Mini Clubman Cooper S Classic is one, and the Ford F-150 is another. The Mini Clubman has a four-cylinder turbo along with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. This combination generates 189 hp and costs $29,900. 

The Ford F-150 has a 3.3-liter V6 motor that’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. That combination produces 290 hp and will cost you around $28,940. 

There are plenty of speedy vehicles on the market, and a handful of them can be yours for $30,000 and under. The Mini Electric Hardtop is one of them that will not only save you money but also offer a fun driving experience.