Twenty years after it made its North American debut, the reimagined Mini Cooper is still as stylish and engaging to drive as it was then. This vehicle’s retro-modern styling and sporty chassis tuning still catch the eye, and it’s a joy to drive. Despite its lack of practicality, the Cooper is appealing to singles and couples because of its sporty appearance and low price point. The 134-hp turbocharged three-cylinder in the standard model is replaced by a 189-hp turbo four in the S model, which provides much better acceleration. Making the Cooper more expensive also means that it comes close to luxury-brand cars like the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe and Mercedes Benz A-class in terms of its price. What if you’re looking for more power than the standard Cooper can deliver? Check out the Cooper JCW, which has a turbocharged 302 horsepower engine.
What’s New for 2023?
For the 2023 model year, the Mini Cooper Resolute Edition will be offered. The exterior, it’s painted Rebel Green and has frosted bronze exterior trim. Inside, it’s got yellow-and-cream tweed seat covers and Resolute Edition door sill guards. On the convertible model, this package is also available, but the hardtop’s white roof and mirror caps are swapped with a black soft top and black mirrors.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 134-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder is the standard engine in this small, lightweight, front-wheel-drive car. We prefer the S models, which have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 189 horsepower. The S was a little more than a second quicker to 60 mph with the larger engine, clocking in at 6.2 seconds, than the base 1.5-liter engine. While the automatic transmission shifts smoothly, we prefer the manual transmission because it offers the most driver involvement. Although the Mini Cooper’s ride can be a bit rough on bumpy roads, the firm suspension makes it exciting to drive.
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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
EPA estimates the same fuel economy for the entry-level three-door, five-door, and convertible Mini Coopers with the same three-cylinder engine. During our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route, we got 38 mpg from the three-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission. According to the EPA, the Cooper S’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine gets between 27 and 30mpg combined, depending on the vehicle’s configuration. Visit the EPA’s website to learn more about Cooper’s fuel efficiency.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Mini’s quirky interior is a joy to look at, but it comes at a price in terms of usability. Front-seat passengers will have little to complain about, despite the cramped rear-seat area. The power top on the Convertible model folds in just 18 seconds, allowing you to revel in the freedom of having virtually limitless headroom at your disposal. It’s a shame the trunk is so small. Even though the hatchback body of a hardtop model offers more practicality, the car’s small size still limits the amount of space available. In our testing, the Hardtop model’s trunk only had room for three carry-on suitcases. There’s enough room for 12 carry-ons if you remove the rear seats. Cargo space in the Convertible is significantly less than in the Hardtop when the rear seats are folded down. In addition to a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats, the Mini Cooper comes with a leather interior that can be purchased separately.
Infotainment and Connectivity
There is an 8.8-inch infotainment screen and a digital gauge cluster standard on all Mini Cooper models. Apple CarPlay, in-dash navigation, and wireless phone charging are all available for an additional fee, but SiriusXM satellite radio is included as standard across the lineup. There is currently no Android Auto option.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Adaptive cruise control and park assist are available as options on the Mini Cooper, which comes standard with automated emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have more information on Cooper’s crash test results. Safety features such as:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning
- Available adaptive cruise control