Last updated August 4, 2026
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV lineup is simple: ES is the straightforward four-seat electric city car, with fast charging, cold-weather battery support, heated front seats, and flexible rear seating. SE keeps the same small-EV mission and electric hardware, then adds a more finished cabin, stronger audio, and upgraded lighting.
The Base Model trim level, represented by ES, is the simple city-commuter i-MiEV, focused on core electric-car equipment rather than luxury extras.
Best for: Drivers who want a small, easy-to-maneuver EV for short daily trips and prefer straightforward controls.
Highlights
The Mid-Level trim level, represented by SE, is the more polished i-MiEV, adding cabin, audio, and lighting upgrades without changing its city-focused purpose.
Best for: Drivers who like the i-MiEV’s compact electric format but want a more finished interior and extra convenience features.
Highlights
SE keeps the same 49-kW electric motor and 16-kWh battery as ES, then adds upgraded audio, richer cabin materials, fog lamps, and automatic headlights.
0 in stock| Feature | Mid-Level | Base Model |
|---|---|---|
| Includes | ||
| Overall focus | More polished city-focused EV | Simple, city-focused EV |
| Audio | 360-watt, 8-speaker system | Basic setup |
| Cabin finish | Leather-wrapped controls and upgraded trim | Straightforward interior |
| Lighting upgrades | Fog lamps and automatic headlights | Standard lighting |
The U.S. i-MiEV launched with ES and SE trims. The SE was limited to the early lineup, and Mitsubishi later simplified the range to one ES trim. By 2014, ES was the only trim and remained so through the final model year.
The ES is the straightforward i-MiEV trim. It has the same 49-kW motor and 16-kWh battery used across the lineup. On later models, it also includes fast charging, battery warming, heated front seats, and heated mirrors.
The SE is the more polished trim from the early U.S. lineup. It keeps the ES model’s electric hardware but adds upgrades such as an eight-speaker audio system, richer cabin trim, alloy wheels, fog lights, and automatic headlights.
The main difference is equipment, not performance. Early SE models add an eight-speaker audio system, upgraded seat and cabin materials, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, fog lights, and automatic headlights. Both use the same motor and battery.
No. The ES and SE use the same 49-kW rear motor and 16-kWh battery, so the SE is not a performance or longer-range version. Its upgrades focus on the cabin, audio system, lighting, and appearance.
The ES is the natural fit for a basic short-trip commuter. It delivers the same electric motor and battery as the SE, and later ES models already include useful items such as fast charging, battery warming, and heated front seats.
Look for an early SE. It adds upgraded seat material, a two-tone dashboard, silver cabin accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and an eight-speaker audio system while keeping the same electric hardware as ES.
No. The SE belongs to the 2012 launch lineup. Mitsubishi later dropped it and simplified the i-MiEV to one ES trim, which covered the later U.S. model years.
Mitsubishi expanded the ES model’s standard equipment in 2014. Features such as CHAdeMO fast charging, battery warming, heated seats and mirrors, alloy wheels, fog lights, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel became standard on the single-trim lineup.
Do not assume every ES is equipped the same way. CHAdeMO fast charging became standard on the single ES lineup in 2014 and remained standard on later models. Earlier cars need to be checked for their actual charge-port equipment.
No. On 2014 and later ES models, battery warming, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors are standard. Earlier cars may differ, so the model year and installed equipment matter more than simply looking for an SE badge.
On 2016 ES models, the Navigation Package adds a 7-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, a USB connection, steering-wheel controls, and a rearview camera. It is an equipment package, not a separate trim or a different electric powertrain.