The MINI Cooper is all-new for 2025. It remains a stylish and compact hatchback that competes in the subcompact car class. It goes up against rivals like the Honda Civic, Mazda3, and Volkswagen Golf. The 2025 model is similar in size to the previous generation and is again available in two body styles: a 2-door and a 4-door hatchback. New features for this year include a 9.4-inch circular OLED display, MINI's Intelligent Personal Assistant, leather-free Sport Seats, and a MINI Head-up Display.
The Cooper is offered in Signature, Signature Plus, and Iconic trim. Gone it the 3-cylinder engine. All models designated Cooper get a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 161 horsepower. Cooper S models get a high-output version of that engine producing 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. While there is no electric or hybrid available right now, there was an electric version of the Cooper 2-door in the past and it's likely to return.
Pricing for the 2025 MINI Cooper starts at $28,950 for the 2-door Cooper and $33,200 for the 4-door Cooper S. The top-tier Cooper S Iconic trim is priced at $37,300. Safety features include forward collision mitigation, lane departure mitigation, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Optional equipment includes a Harman Kardon audio system, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system.
The Cooper S gets a torquey turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that provides enough thrust to push the lightweight coupe from 0 to 60 MPH in a scant 5.8 seconds. That's quick for sure. Base models make do with considerably less power, but still have enough gusto to satisfy the needs of most drivers. In either case, the engine proves smooth and tractable and the 7-speed dual clutch automatic shifts very smoothly. It's unfortunate that MINI does not offer a manual transmission any longer, but perhaps one will come soon.
With the switch to a slightly larger engine this year, fuel economy takes a hit, but Cooper remains one of the most efficient vehicles in the class. It is interesting to note that both versions of the 4-cylinder are EPA rated at 28 MPG city and 39 MPG highway. Unfortunately, premium-grade fuel is required, which is not unexpected, but does increase the overall yearly fuel costs. In routine suburban commuting expect to average about 32 MPG overall, perhaps as high as 36 MPG if your commute includes a fair amount of highway driving.
MINI Cooper models have always had a fun-to-drive, go-kart feel from behind the wheel and, thankfully, that doesn't change one bit with this new generation. Handling is as sharp as ever, with the same lively feeling in the corners. What has changed somewhat is the driving experience is quieter and more refined than in previous Minis.
Steering is sharp and quick with a fair amount of feedback. Like some other lightweight front-drive coupes, Cooper S suffers from a bit of torque steer when powering out of corners. Brakes have ample stopping power, but because of the aggressive auto-stop feature are sometimes difficult to modulate at slow speeds and when parking. Despite the upright build, cornering is flat and there's little body motion in quick transitions.
The suspension is and doesn't have much compliance. This translates into a harsh and sometimes bothersome ride - especially on Cooper S models. Thankfully, there's enough compliance to make daily driving tolerable, but if you live in areas where the roads are not quite billiard-table smooth, you might want to stick with the Cooper model to avoid the Cooper S models firmer suspension settings and more aggressive tires.
Interior noise levels have improved from previous generations, but still, there's more road and wind noise than you might expect. Engine noise is unobtrusive, and the exhaust note quite pleasant.
Since its reintroduction to the US market back in 2000, all Cooper models have had a retro themed interior that paid homage to the original Mini Cooper dating back to 1959. This new Cooper tries to transition away from that with a modern and minimalist interior that bakes in a few of Mini's trademarks like the large center dish infotainment display and a small cadre of toggle switches in the center console. Materials, while utilitarian are a cut above the mainstream and price appropriate. Fit and finish is excellent -- something that couldn't be said of MINI's in the past.
In an unusual twist, Cooper doesn't have a traditional instrument cluster. Rather it has a head-up display that includes vehicle speed and other key data points. Most of the vital controls are housed in a circular infotainment located in the center of the dash. It also lists vehicle speed and lots more - it even comes standard with a virtual assistant called Spike. There is also a small strip of traditional toggles for engine start, gear selection, drive mode, and front and rear defrost.
Combining everything into a centralized control system might sound like a good idea, but it comes across as half baked. Almost everything beyond adjusting the radio volume requires a distracting look away from the road and two or three carefully positioned taps on the screen. With time, some functions become second nature, but this kind of solution is way more complicated than it needs to be.
It does come with standard wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto integration. Again, here, MINI gets in the way and provides only a window into the cell phone interface. Effectively little larger than the phone screen itself, you constantly have to move in and out of the window to keep up with things like adjusting the climate control or tuning the radio.
Once a driver adjusts to the distant and upright windshield, driving the Cooper quickly becomes second nature. The driving position is excellent. The view of the road is great. The seats are firm and highly supportive and front seat head and leg room are exceptional. The rear seat is quite comfortable, but on 2-door models there is scant rear leg room. A problem that's only slightly improved on 4-door models.
As you might expect, cargo capacity is as a premium. There's just 8.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in use and only 34.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The hatch is large and opens wide and there's a hidden bin under the floor. Interior storage is scant with a few open and covered bins and a large portion of the center console is taken up by a cumbersome wireless cell-phone charging pad.
Bottom Line - Thank you MINI for bringing a new gas-powered Cooper! While the Cooper's nimble ride and diminutive size require some compromises, today's automotive marketplace needs polarizing vehicles like the Cooper. It is a car designed by people that love to drive, that demand character and are willing to sacrifice to get it. No it isn't as affordable as you might expect, but the starting price of $42,000 is lower than you might expect given the amount of equipment that comes standard. If only a manual transmission were available ...
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