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.
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.
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.
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.