Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Mini Cooper S review – performance and 0-60 time

A 0-62mph time of under seven seconds is perfectly respectable. It’s a shame the engine isn’t more engaging to use, though

Evo rating

Modest the Cooper S’s 189bhp may be, but a sub-seven to 62mph – 6.8 for the three-door, 6.9sec for the five-door – is nothing to be sniffed at. Nor is a 146mph top speed; remember when only very high-performance cars used to knock on the door of 150mph?

On paper the Mini might look brisk, but its on-road performance doesn’t feel quite as spicy as you’d maybe expect of a 2-litre supermini. Part of that is a particularly linear power delivery that, once boost starts to build beyond 1500rpm, seems to provide the same rate of acceleration all the way to the red line. And since the engine never feels particularly happy butting the limiter, you end up driving somewhere in the mid-range. The healthy mid-range makes for easy overtaking performance. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s at its best operated with the standard six-speed manual gearbox too, where a reasonably satisfying, notchy gearshift can be stirred around for a suitable ratio. The pedals are well arranged for heel-and-toe when you’re coming back down the ’box too, and in Sport mode there’s an auto-blip function to make things a little easier. The auto ’box isn’t quite as satisfying.

Just as the engine’s not at its most enthusiastic towards the red line, nor is it a particularly great engine to listen to. There’s a hint of induction honk at certain revs, and some exhaust noise just about filters through, but it’s all a little synthetic.

Slowing down again can be good fun though – not everyone gets the brake pedal feel right, but Mini is a company that does. The pedal is firm underfoot and the stoppers have good power and minimal fade.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£20k off a BMW M4 Competition – save a fifth on the best current M car
BMW M4 discount
News

£20k off a BMW M4 Competition – save a fifth on the best current M car

The BMW M2 is the M car of choice, at least at full price. When new M4s can be had with a 20 per cent discount, that complicates things
19 Jun 2025
Caterham 310 Encore is the end of the line for the Ford 1.6
Caterham Seven 310 Encore
News

Caterham 310 Encore is the end of the line for the Ford 1.6

It’s goodbye and goodnight for the Caterham Seven 310, with the 25-strong run of 310 Encores serving as the final farewell
11 Jun 2025
The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is a hot hatch we’ve waited a decade for
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 – front
News

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is a hot hatch we’ve waited a decade for

Volkswagen is finally letting the Mk8 Golf GTI off its leash with a hardcore, track-honed version called the Edition 50. If it’s anywhere near as bril…
20 Jun 2025