Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Mini Cooper review

Accomplished, but not entertaining, Mini’s core model now feels old and a bit awkward. The next-gen car can’t come quickly enough

Evo rating
Price
from £22,935
  • Well built
  • Inherently flawed ergonomics; dull powertrains; over-synthesised chassis dynamics

The third new era Mini arrived on the scene back in 2013, and in the more than nine years since its introduction it has been pushed, pulled and prodded into every mould you could think of. Yet, at a point when we’d be expecting an all-new derivative, the onset of electrification has meant the current generation will need to live on for a few more years yet, with most of the effort towards the next-generation car being diverted to a new and completely distinctive all-electric interpretation coming later this year.

Advertisement - Article continues below

For now, the ‘F55’ generation is available in its third iteration, with the latest update encompassing mild styling and trim changes. The range of bodystyles also remains, made up of the core three-door hatch, awkward five-door hatch, Convertible and Clubman quasi-estate. Within all of these body types are four engine variants: two three-cylinders and two takes on BMW’s B48 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol. There’s also the Mini Electric, which is only available with the three-door hatchback body, albeit modified to integrate the battery and electric motor’s packaging requirements.

> All-new Mini Cooper SE: design and powertrain specs revealed

As is typically the case with this F-generation Mini, most of its underpinnings are directly borrowed from BMW, sharing key elements of its technical makeup with the front-wheel drive 1 series and X1 crossover. This decision was made to help spread costs and include high-specification technology, but in the process relegated the mechanically sophisticated, but expensive platform of the previous two generations of Mini to retirement.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

As a result, no performance derivative of this generation of Mini has yet struck a chord with us in the evo office, including the 302bhp JCW GP3 which promised so much after its two brilliant predecessors. The basic JCW model with a 228bhp variant of the same turbocharged four-cylinder petrol is as tasty as hot Minis get, which is a shame for both us and the wider hot hatchback establishment.

Mini Cooper: in detail

  • > Engine, gearbox and technical specs – Combustion engines are now petrol-only; gearboxes are six-speed manual, seven-speed DCT or eight-speed torque-converter automatics
  • > Performance and 0-60 time – Its underpinnings might seem generic, but all variants perform well against the stop clock
  • > Ride and handling – A quick steering rack, tight suspension calibration and enthusiastic response from the driver controls make it feel peppy, but not exactly engaging
  • > MPG and running costs – An over-specification of the available powertrains makes most Minis surprisingly efficient
  • > Interior and tech – The retro interior styling remains a love-or-hate attribute, but now the tech is falling behind and those ergonomics haven’t gotten any better over time
  • > Design – It's a Mini – which means it looks like a car from the 1950s inflated to 2023 proportions, with limited levels of success. And those tail lights…

Prices, specs and rivals

With the basic Mini One Classic now discontinued, prices start at £22,935 for an ordinary Coupe, opening up the range with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with 134bhp. Standard equipment has been improved over the previous model, with those distinctive LED lights at the front and rear now standard. Mini now also fits a 8.8-inch colour screen across the range, replacing the previous car’s old dot-matrix offering.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Above this you’ll find the Cooper S at £26,490, near-identical in price to the likes of the £26,530 Hyundai i20 N – the i20 is fully specced at that price, though, and is on another level in terms of engagement. The John Cooper Works starts at £32,755 and occupies a sort of no man’s land between traditional superminis and more powerful and more expensive rivals from both mainstream and premium competitors.

Audi’s A1 range has been reduced to occupy the lower end of things, with 94bhp, 108bhp and 148bhp powertrain variants spread between four trim levels costing from £24,145 and rising to £905. If you ask us, we’d rather walk than put up with a 94bhp A1.

Five-door Minis are available in all the same trim levels for a £700 premium, with the Convertible an additional £2955 over the hard-top three-door making it £25,890 at its least expensive. On all trims up to JCW are two optional additional Sport and Exclusive specifications. Sport mimics the JCW’s sportier appearance and equipment list, while Exclusive models pack in leather interior trim, 18-inch alloy wheels and other luxury upgrades – both option packages cost an additional £3000.

The Mini Electric is available in three trim levels distinct from its ICE-powered cousins, and costs from £32,550. Visually there’s little to tell between the two of them aside from some subtle acid yellow detailing. However, look closer and you’ll notice the taller sills and reprofiled wheelarch cladding.

Personalisation has been a key element of the Mini purchasing experience down the years and things are no different now. The Mini is available in a wide range of body and roof colour options, plus there’s extra stripes, coloured mirror caps, varying interior trim and a multitude of wheel designs up to 18 inches. Last year, Mini added a new colour-fade roof option, a process that no doubt looks great in the brochure, but almost certainly has caused a few headaches at the Oxford Mini plant to execute.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Cooper

Mini Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53): review, specs and buying guide
Mini evo 25
Features

Mini Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53): review, specs and buying guide

The R50 Mini Cooper captured all the fun of the original with excellent dynamics and a charming design, making it one of our top 25 cars of the last 2…
21 Feb 2024
Cooper Car Company 75 2023 review – £110,000 Mini Cooper S driven
Cooper Car Company 75 2023 review
Reviews

Cooper Car Company 75 2023 review – £110,000 Mini Cooper S driven

The limited-edition Cooper S ‘75’ combines the best of old and new in the ultimate road and track day Mini package
22 Sep 2023
All-new Mini Cooper: reborn icon launches with SE electric hot hatch
Mini Cooper - front
News

All-new Mini Cooper: reborn icon launches with SE electric hot hatch

The Mini as we know it has been reinvented for the electric age, headed by a 215bhp Cooper SE version
1 Sep 2023
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mini AC Schnitzer JCW review
Mini JCW AC - nose
News

Mini AC Schnitzer JCW review

Schnitzer’s upgrades add some useful verve to the standard JCW, but doesn’t affect its overall character
21 Apr 2019
Mini Cooper video review
MY18 Mini Cooper hatch - front
Reviews

Mini Cooper video review

Accomplished, but not entertaining, Mini’s core model now feels old and a bit awkward. The next-gen car can’t come quickly enough
12 Mar 2019
New facelifted Mini for 2018
Mini Cooper facelift - front quarter
News

New facelifted Mini for 2018

New LED headlights, Union Jack rear lights and an optional dual-clutch transmission constitute the Mini Cooper’s mid-life refresh
15 Jan 2018
Mini Cooper SD 5-door review and pictures
Reviews

Mini Cooper SD 5-door review and pictures

Mini hatchback gains an extra pair of door. But have the dynamics remained intact?
1 Jan 2015
Mini Cooper S Red Plugger DSQUARED
Mini DSQUARED
Videos

Mini Cooper S Red Plugger DSQUARED

Mini reveals the Cooper S Red Plugger, a rally-inspired concept before AIDS charity event
26 May 2011
Mini Cooper S
Mii Cooper S
Long term tests

Mini Cooper S

BMW's latest interpretation of the Mini Cooper S is misunderstood, suggests Jethro
29 Sep 2007
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mini Cooper S
Mini Cooper S
Long term tests

Mini Cooper S

Will the 'new Mini' work its charm on Jethro?
7 Aug 2007
MINI tuning kit
Mini Cooper S
News

MINI tuning kit

After-market John Cooper Works kit gives Cooper S a 10 percent power boost
30 Apr 2007
Skip advert
Advertisement
Cooper S v Clio 197
MINI Cooper S v Renaultsport Clio 197
Group tests

Cooper S v Clio 197

They’ve both recently grown up, but which is now the best? We bring new Cooper S and Clio 197 together to find out
17 Nov 2006