2022 Mini Cooper Hardtop review

1. Refreshed looks 

The 2022 Mini Cooper Hardtop received major upgrades that year, including new bumpers, grille, wheels, color options, and a sweet optional color-changing roof. Inside, look for the now standard 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, upgraded digital gauges, optional heated steering wheel, and optional retro checker pattern cloth seats. If you want to drive a used car that looks like a brand new one, 2022 is where it’s at.  

2. Looks like nothing else 

Cute retro looks charm like few other cars on the road can. The 2022 Mini Cooper Hardtop has a short wheelbase that contributes to its tiny footprint. The circular headlights, large grinning grille, and curved fenders are a modern spin on 1960s style. Inside, the large center display is an eye-catching design, but also entirely functional as it is bright, sharp, and in the line of sight of the windshield. It’s a neat-looking machine inside and out.  

3. Genuinely fun to drive 

Small size and light weight help deliver sharp handling. While the Mini Cooper is best on a twisty back road, the steering feel, braking confidence, and powerful engines provide nimble driving characteristics whether enjoying a canyon highway, tackling a twisty back road, or simply maneuvering through city traffic. Standard lane departure warning lets you know if you’re having too much fun. The 2022 Mini Cooper Hardtop delivers smiles even when commuting to work.  

4. Comfortable interior 

Get in the driver’s seat and you’ll notice the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The optional checker-pattern upholstery or optional stitched leather seats look classy, and they are supportive and comfortable for all-day driving. Large windows make for an open feel and excellent outward visibility. Optional touches include ambient lighting and soft-touch surfaces. The 2022 Cooper Hardtop is a pleasant and almost plush experience.  

5. Sporty performance 

Even the base 2022 Mini Cooper Hardtop has plenty of guts for highway passing and blasting up highway on-ramps. The standard engine is a 1.5L three-cylinder with 134 horsepower that easily gets the lightweight Cooper Hardtop moving. An optional 2.0L four-cylinder has 189 horsepower for a zero to 60 time of just 6.2 seconds when new. The automatic transmission delivers crisp, quick shifts, but you might love the optional six-speed manual.