The Mini Cooper Is Still Fun — Just Don't Call It New

Both reviews make the same slightly deflating discovery underneath the marketing: this is an eleven-year-old platform in fresh clothes, not the clean-sheet redesign it's sold as.

Illustration for editorial purposes

Familiar Bones, Genuinely Fresh Skin

Developing an all-new platform is enormously expensive, especially one that also needs to underpin an electric version. Reviewers keep noting Mini sidestepped that cost entirely here — and mostly don't hold it against the car once they're actually driving it.

Specs at a Glance

Body styles	3-door hatch, 5-door hatch, convertible
Engines	Cooper C 1.5L (154bhp), Cooper S 2.0L (201bhp), JCW 2.0L (228bhp)
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automatic (manual no longer offered)
0–62mph	7.7 sec (Cooper C) to 6.1 sec (JCW)
Fuel economy	Up to 50mpg (Cooper C)
Price range (new)	From around £25,000

Full Review Summary

What Car?

What Car? recommended the entry-level Cooper C over the pricier S, rating its 154bhp three-cylinder engine as strong and feisty with a 7.7-second 0-62mph time genuinely impressive for a small car's base engine. They found the ride firm over undulating British roads, though well-damped enough to avoid feeling like a pogo stick, and specifically recommended sticking with the smallest 16-inch wheels since larger alloys make the car noticeably more unsettled. Steering was rated quick and darty, delivering on Mini's "go-kart feel" branding more convincingly than rivals like the Audi A1.

🎬 Watch: Mini Cooper review

Watch on YouTube ↗

Top Gear

Top Gear were direct that underneath the completely fresh exterior and interior, this carries over the previous generation's engines, suspension and chassis largely unchanged — genuinely new panels wrapped around a familiar platform. They praised the redesigned cabin's material quality as a cut above Korean rivals, though warned the minimalist, touchscreen-heavy controls take some getting used to. Their clearest piece of advice was to skip the John Cooper Works version specifically, rating it as no longer the force it once was despite the badge's performance heritage.

🎬 Watch: Mini Cooper review (same video, watch above ↗)

Trims & Engines at a Glance

Petrol and electric Coopers share the same trim names — Classic, Exclusive, Sport — but are otherwise entirely separate powertrain families with different manufacturing origins.

Derivative	Engine	Power	Transmission	Body	0–62mph
Cooper C Classic / Exclusive / Sport	1.5L 3-cyl turbo petrol, FWD	154bhp	7-speed automatic	Hatchback, Convertible	7.7s
Cooper S Classic / Exclusive / Sport	2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, FWD	201bhp	7-speed automatic	Hatchback, Convertible	6.6s
Cooper E Classic / Exclusive / Sport	Single electric motor, FWD	181bhp	Single-speed automatic	Hatchback	7.3s
Cooper SE Classic / Exclusive / Sport	Single electric motor, FWD	218bhp	Single-speed automatic	Hatchback	6.7s
John Cooper Works (JCW)	2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, FWD	228bhp	7-speed automatic	Hatchback, Convertible	6.1s

The electric Cooper is built in China; the petrol versions remain UK-built. A broad exterior colour range is offered, with one- and two-tone roof options available across the range. Check MINI's UK configurator for current pricing.

Strengths

Genuinely engaging, "go-kart feel" steering and handling
Strong performance even from the entry-level engine
Distinctive, characterful redesigned cabin
Decent real-world fuel economy

Weak points

Underlying platform is over a decade old despite fresh styling
Firm ride, especially on larger wheels
Minimalist touchscreen controls take real adjustment
No manual gearbox option any longer

Who It Actually Suits

Buyers who want genuine driving character in a small package and don't mind touchscreen-heavy controls. Stick with the entry-level Cooper C and smaller wheels for the best balance of performance and ride comfort — the JCW no longer feels worth the premium according to at least one major reviewer.