The 2025 Mini Cooper is back and better than ever. The newly redesigned Mini Cooper focuses on what matters to consumers, addressing areas where the previous Mini fell short. It brings more modern features while keeping the charm of the last generation. The result is a more refined, comfortable, and visually modern car, both inside and out.
Performance
Both the Cooper and Cooper S come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The base Cooper delivers 161 horsepower, while the Cooper S increases that to 201 horsepower. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard, but unfortunately, Mini has discontinued the six-speed manual for this new generation. While it’s a bit disappointing, it makes sense given the shrinking demand for manual transmissions. The good news is that the pre-owned market likely has some manual gems available for those who still want that classic manual driving experience with their Mini.
The Cooper S has a punchy engine and lively exhaust note. While it may not be the fastest in terms of acceleration, it’s plenty quick for most driving situations. Its compact size and turbocharged engine ensure the Mini never feels sluggish, even at higher speeds.
The handling is where the Mini truly shines, showcasing its purpose and strengths. It offers sharp, responsive handling, staying true to the car’s playful nature, especially in corners. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission adds to the fun with smooth, quick shifts, particularly in Go-Kart mode, which is the best mode for a performance-orientated drive.
Interior
The newly redesigned interior takes a more minimalistic approach and pulls it off beautifully. It strikes the perfect balance, keeping the simplicity without losing the vehicle’s character. This is where some brands often fall short, as they tend to overdo minimalism, leaving their interiors feeling too plain and cheap. The Mini, however, manages to stay stylish and distinctive while embracing a cleaner design.
The centrepiece inside the Mini is a 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen, featuring vibrant graphics and seven “Experience Modes” that change the user interface based on which one you select. The new Mini Cooper no longer comes with a traditional instrument cluster and physical climate controls, and pretty much everything is now displayed and controlled on the central touchscreen. There is a set of switches and buttons below the screen, and they consist of the key-like engine ignition switch, transmission selector, Experience Modes toggle, and volume knob.
The only drawback in the cabin is the outdated heads-up display. Instead of projecting onto the windshield, it pops up from the dash as a small, flimsy screen that shows your speed. Unfortunately, it feels more like an inconvenience than a helpful feature, as it obstructs part of the windshield and detracts from the otherwise modern interior.
True to Mini’s quirky character, the cabin is filled with unique touches. The two-spoke steering wheel features a nylon strap at the 6 o’clock position, giving it the appearance of a three-spoke design. There’s also a strip of synthetic leather on the passenger side dashboard, adding a bit of flair to the otherwise minimalist interior. At night, the dashboard lighting changes colours based on the selected “Experience Mode,” enhancing the atmosphere and bringing an extra layer of personality to the cabin.
Comfort
The Mini Cooper strikes a perfect balance between comfort and performance. The ride is smooth, and the suspension does a great job of handling bumps in the road. While the “Go-Kart” mode is more performance-oriented and sacrifices ride comfort, delivering a harsher ride, the other modes highlight how versatile the Mini Cooper can be, offering a comfortable but not boring driving experience.
The front seats are visually appealing, especially in the Beige colour, and add that luxurious touch inside the cabin. On top of their stylish design, they are incredibly comfortable, making them great for road trips. The rear seats, however, are better suited for extra storage rather than accommodating passengers, as leg space is quite limited.
Experience Modes
The Mini Cooper offers seven different Experience Modes that let you change the cabin’s look and feel to match your mood. Each mode is easily accessed through a toggle switch or the OLED display at the center of the interior. The modes—Core, Go-Kart, Green, Vivid, Timeless, Balance, and Personal—each have their own signature lighting and design. Some even enhance the driving experience, like Go-Kart Mode, which delivers sportier handling and a better exhaust note.
According to Mini’s official website, each Experience Mode is inspired by locations from across the country, creating a new world to explore with every drive. All modes add unique design elements and lighting inside the cabin, making each drive feel like a new experience.
Exterior Lights
Few vehicles offer the ability to change the appearance of the exterior lights, but the Mini Cooper does. It’s the only vehicle we’ve tested that allows this level of personalization. Drivers can choose from three different headlight designs, altering the look of the front end, and even the taillights can be customized to match your preference.
Value
The new Mini Cooper improves upon its predecessor, taking a significant leap into the modern world of technology, making it even better and more practical for daily use. Mini also adds extra convenience with its No-Charge Scheduled Maintenance program, which covers the cost of essential services for 3 years or 40,000 km. This adds to the value, making vehicle ownership more affordable by reducing the cost of routine maintenance.
The Mini Cooper is the only vehicle of its kind on the market and regardless of the trim you choose, it offers great value, combining practicality with a fun driving experience.
