The Mini is an automotive icon. It’s up there with the likes of the Porsche 911 and Volkswagen Beetle, the Land Rover Defender or even Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.
Such names form an exclusive club that have managed to last decades without really messing with a winning formula. Evolution, not revolution, is the key here.
With that said, cars like the Mini have had to move with the times. In 2022 the Mini 3-Door Hatch has grown significantly to its historic equivalent, to the point where purists argue it’s not really a ‘Mini’ anymore.
But as people get larger, safety gets more important, and rivals continue to grow, it’s a sign of the times.
Here we have the 2022 Mini Cooper S 3-Door Hatch JCW Sport. Once you breathe again after such a long name, you can see and appreciate the retro styling cues and fun colour options of the modern Mini – such as this car’s bright Island Blue body paint with contrast Jet Black roof, stripes and mirror caps.
BMW-owned Mini pitches itself as a premium brand these days, a firm driven by design and fun factor rather than the humble ‘A to B’ principles the original was conceived from.
Priced from more than $50,000, the little turbocharged hatchback you see here is in a price bracket against established European hot hatches. They’re all faster, all larger, and in most cases all featuring more tech and safety.
Is there still a case for this retro-styled boutique buy? Or is it all style and no substance?
How much does the Mini Cooper S 3-Door Hatch cost?
Mini Australia has changed the way it structures its range these days, offering distinct trim levels rather than a base car with a long list of options.
You can get into a Mini Cooper S 3-Door Hatch in base Classic form for $45,700 plus on-road costs, but this higher-spec JCW Sport version asks for a hefty $54,450 before on-road costs – or around $60,000 on the road. Jeez.
For an extra $400 you can get into the more powerful Mini Cooper JCW Essential, which combines the ‘pure’ base trim level with the more powerful JCW tune of the 2.0-litre four-pot turbo drivetrain. More show or more go? You decide.
All the colour and trim options come at no cost, so the black exterior accents are free of charge should you choose. For similar money, though, you could logically cross-shop with a number of larger, more powerful warm and hot hatches – though arguably none have the style and character of the Mini.
Key rivals include:
- Audi A1 40 TFSI S line: $47,800
- Audi A3 40 TFSI quattro S line: $53,500
- BMW 128ti: $55,031
- Ford Focus ST X: $51,990
- Hyundai i30 N Premium: $52,000
- Mercedes-Benz A250 4Matic: $63,421
- Renault Megane R.S. Trophy EDC: $56,990
- Volkswagen Golf GTI: $54,490
All prices exclude on-road costs
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What do you get?
Mini Cooper S Hatch JCW Sport highlights:
- Panoramic sunroof
- Harman Kardon sound system
- Head-up display
- Dinamica/leather upholstery
- Ambient lighting
- Adaptive suspension
- 17-inch alloy wheels
That’s on top of features carried over from lower grades:
- Adjustable drive modes
- Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Keyless entry
- 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless phone charging
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- 5.5-inch driver’s supervision cluster
- LED headlights and tail lights
- Automatic high-beam
Is the Mini Cooper S 3-Door Hatch safe?
The Mini 3-Door Hatch has a four-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2014.
It received a frontal offset score of 14.60 out of 16, a side impact score of 12.19 out of 16, pedestrian and whiplash protection ratings of Good and Acceptable, respectively, and an overall score of 31.78 out of 37.
ANCAP reported (based on Euro NCAP testing) that the Mini 3-Door Hatch failed to meet the minimum threshold in the side impact test for a five-star rating, with driver chest and abdomen protection rated as Marginal.
All models come standard with:
- AEB (city) with pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Lane departure warning
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Traffic sign recognition
Notable omissions include high-speed AEB, lane-keep assist and the option of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, all features standard or at least available on similarly-priced rivals.
What is the Mini Cooper S 3-Door Hatch like on the inside?
The Mini 3-Door Hatch hasn’t changed much inside over the course of its life, but the most recent update has brought about a couple of revisions.
A new steering wheel with touch-capacitive buttons joins a fresh infotainment surround with similar touch-based switchgear, which smooths out surfaces and looks good in photos, but perhaps falls a bit flat in practice.
Gloss black surfaces are a magnet for fingerprints and smudges, and the lack of physical buttons can mean inaccurate outputs to your inputs. Thankfully, the virtual buttons generally work as you expect, but within a day the steering wheel looked like it had been attacked by oily, sweaty fingers.
Despite its compact dimensions, the first row of the Mini is actually quite airy. The tall roof and range of adjustment in the JCW sports seats and steering wheel mean even a leggy adult like me can get comfortable, and all the controls fall within arm’s reach.
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The central infotainment display is powered by a re-skinned version of BMW’s iDrive 6. While it may lack the newer look and feel of the new OS7.0 and iDrive 8 interfaces we’re seeing across the BMW line-up, the Mini looks contemporary and the processing power is snappy enough to keep it feeling current.
I enjoyed the 360W 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system standard in the Mini Yours and JCW Sport versions of the Cooper S. Given the 3-Door Hatch is such a small car, that many speakers really turns it into a sound booth, and it’s nothing but a good thing given the crisp sound quality.
Storage isn’t bad for such a small car, but there are some points of praise and complaint.
The cupholders ahead of the shifter are quite small, though handy to have, and the little shelf behind it is a good place to store smaller items like keys or a wallet. There’s a deeper cubby under the front-centre armrest, and within said armrest there’s a cradle with a wireless smartphone charger, though it still can’t accommodate a larger phone.
Material quality is up there with the best in the light car segment, though it doesn’t stand out quite as much compared to similarly-priced ‘small’ hot hatches from mainstream brands.
Mini has always been good at making its cabins feel quite expensive, and this latest model is no different. Not until you get to the lowest sections of the cabin do you find hard, scratchy plastics, and everything you touch or rest on looks and feels well-made.
Personal favourite elements include the toggle-like switches and starter. They look cool and feel solid in operation, plus they get people talking.
Speaking of the ambient lighting, you can adjust the colour to really change the vibe inside. It’s cool that it lights up that big circular ring in the centre of the dashboard, and the same ring lights up like a temperature dial when you adjust the climate control.
Not so cool is rear-seat space, or complete lack thereof.
Behind 6’1-ish me there’s literally no legroom even for a child. The only person that would fit behind me is a very young child in a booster seat – thankfully, there are ISOFIX anchor points in both rear positions.
Amenities include rear outboard armrests and a central cupholder, and that’s really about it. Remember this is a teeny tiny city car, think of it of more a 2+2 – if you need more space get a 5-Door Hatch or Clubman.
Boot space is likewise, tiny. Just 211L is quoted by Mini with the rear seats in place, expanding to 731L with them folded.
The rear seats fold in a 60:40 ratio despite there only being two back there, and there’s no spare tyre given this Mini rides on run-flat rubber.
What’s under the bonnet?
Cooper S models are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with outputs of 141kW (6000rpm) and 280Nm (1350-4600rpm).
Drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels, with both six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions available – it’s a no-cost option for either.
Mini claims the Cooper S 3-Door Hatch will dash from 0-100 in 6.7 seconds, and hit a top speed of 235km/h.
Fuel use, meanwhile, is rated at a fairly thrifty 5.8L/100km, aided by idle start/stop technology. The Mini’s 44L fuel tank drinks 95 RON premium unleaded at a minimum.
How does the Mini Cooper S 3-Door Hatch drive?
It may be getting on a bit, but the Mini Hatch still has that darty ‘go-kart’ feel the brand loves to shout about.
The smallest Mini is arguably the most true to its heritage, with tiny dimensions (relative to modern cars, of course), a light 1225kg kerb weight (in 3-Door Cooper S JCW Sport spec), and keen handling.
The steering is super responsive, and the Mini is keen to point its nose and turn in. There’s no limited-slip diff up front but there’s a bit of fun to be had testing the Cooper S’s limits in corners.
In Cooper S guise, there’s not the same raucous bark out the rear like the full-fat JCW, but the 2.0-litre turbo has a decent note to match its brisk performance. I just wish there was a little more drama on upshifts and overrun.
From low down there’s heaps of torque for such a small car, and the quick-shifting seven-speed DCT is one of the best of the breed whether it’s left in D or if you’re using the steering-mounted paddle shifters.
Where some Mini models can be too firm with sporty JCW add-ons, the adaptive dampers on the Cooper S JCW Sport means you can tailor the car to the conditions, and it’s perfectly liveable day-to-day as we found navigating inner-city Melbourne.
The Mini’s enthusiastic character makes it fun to dart around city streets too, meaning you don’t need to be going full speed on a winding B-road for it to put a smile on your face. There’s just some tangible charm to the way it drives.
Something I’ve complained about Mini products in the past, however, is on-road refinement – specifically insulation from road noise.
It seems to be an issue common to all BMW products based on the UKL platform – think 1 Series, X1, X2, and the entire Mini range. There’s plenty of tyre roar present in the cabin over anything other than fresh, smooth bitumen.
Given these vehicles are engineered to sit happily on the Autobahn, it’s a shame BMW and Mini haven’t put a little more effort into open-road refinement. It’s otherwise quite a capable tourer for such a small vehicle.
Another complaint is the camera-based adaptive cruise control system, which can fumble at times due to weather conditions. We had it phantom brake a few times, which was a little frightening, and there was one instance where it just refused to turn on as it was facing direct sunlight.
The lack of a proper lane-keep assist system is another niggling omission that shows the Mini’s age and also puts it behind the likes of the updated Volkswagen Polo GTI and Audi A1 which offer essentially Level 2 autonomous driving.
How much does the Mini Cooper S 3-Door Hatch cost to run?
Mini and its BMW parent continue with athree-year, unlimited-kilometre warrantyinstead of moving to a five-year, unlimited-kilometre plan like the wider market, and luxury rivals including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus.
Mini offers Service Inclusive capped-price service plans which cover the first five years or 80,000 kilometres of scheduled servicing – whichever comes first.
The Basic plan costs$1640for Cooper and Cooper S models ($1700 for JCW variants).
As for real-world fuel consumption, we saw an indicated average of 7.2L/100km over 500km during our week of testing, with plenty of highway driving thrown in. That’s still a little up on Mini’s official 5.8L/100km claim.
CarExpert’s Take on the Mini Cooper S 3-Door Hatch
I love a bit of a throwback, especially cars that acknowledge their lineage but have been brought into modern times.
Lining up my Island Blue test car alongside a similar blue previous-generation Mini Cooper S (picture above), it’s very clear that while it’s had to evolve with the times somewhat, the modern Mini is doing its best to stay true to its roots.
The Cooper S is fun, quick, and cute as a button. In keeping with the brand’s premium pitch, it also feels a cut above similarly sized mainstream vehicles when it comes to build quality and design.
What’s not so great is the price and lack of some modern features you’d expect of a premium compact car, particularly at the JCW Sport’s price point. Further, that pretty average crash rating looms given just about every rival hatchback wears a five-star ANCAP or Euro NCAP safety rating.
For all its faults, it’s hard to not fall a little in love with the Mini. The iconic pint-sized 3-Door Hatch is arguably the most ‘mini’ Mini, and the Cooper S balances performance and engagement with everyday usability for city life.
My tip? Get the Cooper S Classic and pocket the $8000 unless you really want all the personalisation options and convenience features on offer.
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MORE: Everything Mini 3-Door Hatch
FAQs
Is 2022 Mini Cooper S reliable? ›
Is the Mini Cooper Reliable ? The 2022 Mini Cooper has a predicted reliability score of 83 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Are Mini Cooper hatches reliable? ›According to RepairPal, the Mini Cooper has a reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5.0 and ranks 25th out of 32 car brands. However, the Mini Cooper did rank 21st out of 21 cars in the subcompact segment. The high cost of repair and maintenance for Mini Cooper has significantly hurt its reliability.
Do Mini Coopers hold their value? ›MINIs are known to hold value very well, being reliable, well-made, and in demand. You should expect a very low depreciation rate — read on below for more details. There are a number of things you can do as a careful owner in order to achieve a good price when you sell your MINI.
How long does a Mini Cooper S engine last? ›How Many Miles Will a Mini Cooper Engine Last? The Mini Cooper engine will last about 100,000 miles if you maintain it well. However, the engine will last much longer than without any unwanted signs. A maintained Mini Cooper engine would last for about 200,000 and 250,000 miles.
Do Mini Coopers need premium gas? ›What Kind of Gas Does a MINI Cooper Take? It is typically recommended that you use premium gas with an octane level of 91 or higher in your MINI Cooper.
Are newer Mini Coopers reliable? ›Indications are that newer Minis are reliable cars on the whole - certainly above average. According to Warranty Wise, current-generation Minis have a 60% reliability score - better than average but nothing to write home about.
How many miles do Mini Coopers usually last? ›Mini Coopers last as long as the average car will, for the most part. They can go for as much as 250,000 miles in their lifetime. Of course, the better care you take of your Mini Cooper, then the longer it will last.
Is a Mini Cooper a high risk car? ›The Safety of your MINI Cooper
It received four-out-of-five stars in overall and driver front side crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the vehicle a "good" rating across the board, which is the Institute's highest designation, making it a good choice for safety despite its size.
From a car insurance group perspective, most Minis fall into the average range, which means that they're relatively affordable to insure. The vast majority have been placed in the early and mid-teens and early 20s, with a few included in the mid-30s groups.
Does Mini Cooper have transmission problems? ›Mini Coopers typically experience transmission problems under specific circumstances, such as: when the vehicle accrues a higher mileage, when the car reaches a certain age, or when the driver exhibits specific driving habits.
Who is Mini Cooper target market? ›
Mini cars belong to the premium small luxury car segment. These cars are mainly targeted at the higher end customer segment. Since always, Mini cars have remained the favourite of royalty, celebrities, musicians and film stars.
Are Mini Coopers considered luxury? ›They indeed are, but many drivers wonder whether or not they're actually luxury cars. We're here to tell you that vehicles like the MINI Cooper Countryman are considered luxury cars, and when you visit MINI of Glencoe, we'll show you why.
Do minis have BMW engines? ›Six all-new engines are offered for this Mini, four petrol and two diesels: two models of a 1.2 litre three-cylinder petrol with either 75 PS or 102 PS, a 1.5 litre 3-cylinder petrol with 136 PS, (BMW B38 engine), a 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol (BMW B48 engine) that produces 192 PS for the Cooper S, and a 1.5 litre 3 ...
Do Mini Coopers need special oil changes? ›Oil Type – All MINI vehicles should receive synthetic SAE 0W-30 BMW Genuine Oil. Using a different type of oil could negatively impact your oil change frequency. Occasional Driving – Even if you don't drive very often, you should get a MINI Cooper oil change at least once or twice a year.
How often should a Mini Coopers be serviced? ›Engine oil service.
We recommended booking an Engine Oil Service every two years (or 18,000 miles – whichever comes first). Changing your MINI's oil improves mileage and helps maintain a healthy engine.
When you think of MINI Cooper models, you don't often associate them with all-weather capability. However, there are many MINI vehicles that can handle snow and ice with ease, especially when equipped with winter tires.
What is the best fuel for Mini Cooper S? ›A high-octane fuel supplies your Mini Cooper with the power it needs for optimal acceleration and long-term performance. The minimum requirement for your Mini engine is 91 octane, but we recommend using 93 or 95 octane to sustain your vehicle for the long run.
How much is an oil change for a MINI Cooper? ›Generally, MINI Cooper oil change costs range from $150 to $190, covering both parts and labor. Of course, costs will vary depending on the MINI model, as well as the location of the dealership.
Why does my MINI Cooper smell like gas? ›If the exhaust coming from the tailpipe smells like gasoline, the vehicle computer is sending too much gas into the fuel injectors and it is not burning it all off.
What's the difference between Mini Cooper and Mini Coopers? ›The MINI Cooper is equipped with a 1.5 L TwinPower Turbocharged 3-cylinder making 134 horsepower, while the MINI Cooper S includes a 2.0 L TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine making 189 horsepower. If fun driving is necessary to you then the additional 55hp offered by the MINI Cooper S is going to be a must-have.
Is the 3 cylinder MINI engine good? ›
The three-cylinder doesn't hinder the driving pleasure too much, which remains superior to most compact cars on the market. In addition, its average consumption is lower than 8.0 L/100 km. If you're interested in performance, the real fun begins with the Cooper S.
Are Mini Coopers safe in an accident? ›According to vehiclehistory.com, Mini Coopers are safe cars. Compared to other small cars, they are much safer in the case of a collision.
Does Mini Cooper have a timing belt? ›As a precaution, MINI recommends changing a timing belt many thousands of miles before the part reaches any risk of failure. Generally, this replacement interval is between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.
Is Mini Cooper a good car for long drives? ›The 2022 Mini Cooper scored a reliability score of 83 out of 100, which is considered great. Practicality and a stiffer ride are one of the factors that affect reliability scores for the MINI. Most Mini Coopers tend to be quite reliable for long-distance drives.
How long do Mini Cooper batteries last? ›Service experts estimate that you should replace your car battery every four to five years. Real-world battery life varies depending on a couple of factors, but you can find out how to know if your MINI Cooper battery needs to be replaced in this helpful guide.
Why are Mini Coopers expensive to insure? ›Replacement Value: The relatively high replacement value of the vehicle, since insurance premiums increase with the cost of your car. Foreign and luxury cars like the Mini also tend to have higher repair costs, which in turn raises the cost of insurance. Model Year: Newer models typically have higher premiums.
What does a Mini Cooper say about you? ›Whether you have a classic model from the 1960s or a modern version of the retro ride, those who drive a Mini are extremely proud. Not only are they proud of their car, but they are also proud of their achievements in life and are likely to have high levels of confidence.
Which car gets stolen the most? ›Topping the list of the most stolen cars in America in 2020 is the 2006 Ford F-150. This is the second year the pickup has topped the listing, with over 44,014 units stolen in 2020, 13% higher than in 2019.
Is a mini a good investment? ›There are many reasons why classic minis make a great investment. They're usually cheaper to buy than modern cars, and they're often more interesting and fun to drive. But one of the best reasons to buy a classic car is that they're usually cheaper to maintain.
Are MINIs good value for money? ›Mini Coopers are considered one of the most valuable sports cars on the market today. This means that if you want to trade your Mini Cooper in for a brand new car, you will get a good deal. The resale value of a Mini Cooper is really good, especially if you are looking for a cost-effective car replacement.
Do MINIs go up in value? ›
MINIs are notably well-made and reliable so retain value well. On top of that, they're a sought-after model and so are always in high-demand – again bumping up value.
Which MINIs have timing chain Problems? ›...
The following BMW Mini Cooper models are affected by the timing chain recall:
- Mini Cooper Hardtop 2007-2010.
- Mini Cooper Clubman 2008-2010.
- Mini Cooper Convertible 2009-2010.
Causes of a Bumpy Ride in Your Mini
Shock absorbers are designed to dampen the up and down motion of the suspension, so when they're worn out, the ride can feel very bumpy. Another potential cause is uneven tire pressure. If one or more tires are low on air, they will absorb less shock and the ride will be less smooth.
Recall no. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
What is the number 1 most reliable car? ›...
The Rankings:
MINI is a very famous brand known for its unique identity like no other. MINI cars have a charm of their own and all MINIs feature an iconic silhouette and body style till date. They are compact in dimension, look cute, are blissful to drive with punchy performance and agile handling, and the list goes on.
Where are Mini Coopers sold the most? ›2021 (Full Year) Global: Mini Brand Worldwide Car Sales by Model and Country. In 2021, Mini increased worldwide car sales by 3.3% with the Cooper SE the best-selling model and the UK, Germany, and China the top markets.
What is the future of MINI? ›MINI says there are six new models in development: the MINI Electric 3-door, new versions of the petrol-powered MINI Cooper 3-door, Mini Cooper 5-door and MINI Convertible, plus a larger MINI Countryman SUV and a smaller electric crossover. The latter will be based on the MINI Aceman concept car.
Is Mini Cooper a ladies car? ›Of course it is! If you like MINIs you should get one. It is your life and I know many straight males who have MINI Coopers. They are good cars but I recommend getting a used one that has a fair amount of miles and checking the service history to make sure it's reliable.
Is Mini Cooper a classy car? ›If MINIs are affordable to many everyday folks, and look so different from the rest, is it safe to consider MINI a luxury car? The answer is yes. From the MINI John Cooper Works to MINI Hardtops, MINI is indeed a luxury brand. This is because it isn't about money when it comes to luxury cars.
Who makes the Mini Cooper S engine? ›
Who Makes Mini Cooper Engines? A renowned German brand, BMW owns the Mini Cooper. The brand manufactures the petrol Mini Cooper Engines at Hams Hall Plant in the UK. But, the brand manufactures diesel Mini Cooper Engines at Plant Steyr in Austria.
Do MINIs have engine problems? ›In addition, MINI 1.6 engine problems are also quite common. These engines, found in early Cooper D MINIs (2007 – 2014) can fail due to oil starvation. This is commonly caused by carbon blocking the oil supply to the turbo.
What does the S stand for in Mini Cooper S? ›But as it was produced specifically for motorsport, the Cooper 'S' proudly stands for sport. Back in 1963, Mini realised how successful its 997 Mini Cooper was on the track and figured they could take it up a notch: the then 1071 cc Cooper S was born.
Are Mini Cooper S reliable cars? ›How Reliable is the Mini Cooper? In general, Mini Coopers offer average reliability, which, like most car brands, varies from one model to the other. The Mini Cooper is a stylish classic that is fun to drive and worth the assessment.
Are the new Mini Coopers more reliable? ›We expect the 2023 Cooper will be much more reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2021 and 2022 models.
Are modern Mini Coopers reliable? ›Indications are that newer Minis are reliable cars on the whole - certainly above average. According to Warranty Wise, current-generation Minis have a 60% reliability score - better than average but nothing to write home about.
Is Mini Cooper S better than Mini Cooper? ›Inevitably, the champion in this comparison can only be chosen by you. If you are looking for a fuel-efficient commuter vehicle, there is absolutely nothing that can begin to compare to the retro style of the MINI Cooper. If you're seeking a mix in between gas mileage and fun, the MINI Cooper S is tough to beat.
Does a Mini Cooper S have a timing belt or chain? ›As a precaution, MINI recommends changing a timing belt many thousands of miles before the part reaches any risk of failure. Generally, this replacement interval is between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.
Which type of Mini Cooper is the best? ›The MINI Cooper Convertible is arguably the most stylish model in the MINI line-up. Boot space is compromised slightly but it's a small price to pay for the smile that'll be etched across your face as you drive around with the top-down when the sun is shining.
How many miles will a Mini Cooper last? ›Mini Coopers last as long as the average car will, for the most part. They can go for as much as 250,000 miles in their lifetime. Of course, the better care you take of your Mini Cooper, then the longer it will last.
Is a Mini Cooper considered a luxury car? ›
They indeed are, but many drivers wonder whether or not they're actually luxury cars. We're here to tell you that vehicles like the MINI Cooper Countryman are considered luxury cars, and when you visit MINI of Glencoe, we'll show you why.
Do Mini Coopers have good mileage? ›The most fuel-efficient MINI models are the automatic versions of the 2022 MINI Hardtop 2 Door, MINI Hardtop 4 Door and MINI Cooper Convertible, which all clock in with great efficiency at 38 highway MPG.
Why do people buy Mini Coopers? ›Critics often praise the Mini Cooper for its sporty go-kart inspired handling. Unlike some of its class rivals, the Mini Cooper offers an engaging driving experience, which makes it more fun to drive. This subcompact has a variety of surprisingly lively powertrain options.
What does the S mean in Mini Cooper? ›But as it was produced specifically for motorsport, the Cooper 'S' proudly stands for sport. Back in 1963, Mini realised how successful its 997 Mini Cooper was on the track and figured they could take it up a notch: the then 1071 cc Cooper S was born.
Is BMW better than Mini Cooper? ›There is very little to compare between the 2021 X1 and the 2021 Countryman. The BMW is a better vehicle in almost every way. From design, performance, and tech, you are better off buying the 2021 BMW X1.
Is a Mini Coopers fast? ›A 0-62mph time of under seven seconds is perfectly respectable.