2025 MINI COOPER S

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES; MINI GOES TO THE MAX IN DRIVING FUN

If someone asked me what car I might choose based solely on its fun-to-drive quotient and its affordability, I would have to put have the Mini Cooper S Hardtop 4-Door right at the top of my list.

It’s a spunky little vehicle that offers a delightful driving experience that reduces the frustration of facing the daily grind in traffic.

The folks at Edmunds.com called it a “go-kart for adults” at the vehicle’s relaunch as a 2002 model, and that spirit remains over two decades later.

German-owned since 1994 when BMW took over the Rover Group that included the Mini brand, the Mini remains an iconic British brand. My test 2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop, for example, was put together at the company’s Oxford plant while the engine and transmission was of German origin.

BMW refreshed the Mini Cooper S Hardtop 4-Door for 2025 with a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine boosting horsepower to 201 ponies and torque to 221 pound-feet from the 161/184 in the base Cooper.

Fuel economy suffers only marginally from base models in the 2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 4-door with figures of 28 miles-per-gallon city, 39 highway, and 32 combined using premium grade fuel.

The computer in my test 2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 4-door re-affirmed those numbers in a week of mixed highway-and-street driving.

Mini (or BMW) reports a 6.5-second clocking for the sprint from zero-to-60 mph, about a second quicker than the base Mini Cooper 2-door.

A downside is that there is no option for a manual transmission. You have to make do with a 7-speed dual clutch automatic with paddle shifters.

Designers went easy on updates for the exterior of the 2025 Mini Cooper S, simplifying the grille and adding black exterior accents, leaving the overall profile very much traditional Mini. 

The distinctive bug-eye headlights remain (the outer rings serve as turn-lights) and the profile is very distinctive. You won’t be mistaking it for any similar sub-compacts from other manufacturers.

Inside the dashboard is dominated by two distinct features. Instead of the commonly used plastic, a carpet-like textile fabric covers the dashboard and other areas and the large circular touchscreen that controls infotainment features now “floats” in the center of the dash panel. Toggle switches at the bottom of the screen are used to start the engine and set drive and parking modes.

Standard equipment in the 2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop includes a heated steering wheel, dual zone climate control, a panoramic glass roof, 6-speaker audio, Bluetooth connectivity, parking assist system, and dynamic cruise control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless device charging is offered in a Comfort Package Plus package.

The base MSRP for my test 2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop was $35,600. An optional Iconic trim package (active driving assistant, Stop-and-Start funcion, Harmon Kardon premium sound, and an interior camera) are amomg options that ran the final bottom line to $39,795 including the $995 destination charge.

What I liked about the 2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop: This is a fun car to drive and is roomier than you might expect considering the name and the exterior profile. It has over 41 inches of legroom in the front. Throttle response is good (at least when the stop/start function is deactivated) without detracting from fuel economy, which is very good.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop: There is a bit of a learning curve to the infotainment features. The starter switch and gear selector are tiny toggles right next to each other and can be easily mixed up. No manual transmission is offered. Cargo space is limited at 8.9 cubic feet.

Would I buy the 2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop? If I faced a lot of trips into crowded city streets I certainly would give it consideration as a commuter vehicle. But, though the interior is comfortable for two, it still is not a good choice for family transportation.