2018 Mini Cooper review

What We Like

Driving: One of the hallmarks of the Mini Cooper has been its enjoyable driving characteristics. The base three-cylinder engine provides reasonable power, but the Cooper S gets more oomph from its more refined four-cylinder motor. Edmunds' test of the Cooper S resulted in a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds—similar to the Volkswagen GTI and a bit quicker than the Focus ST. Steering is precise, and the Mini’s good handling makes the Cooper great fun on a twisty road.

Interior: Among the Mini Cooper variants, it's no surprise that the four-door boasts the roomiest and most comfortable interior. Two-door and four-door models provide suitable space for tall front-seat passengers, but the rear seat is much more usable in the four-door with more space and easier access. In general, the cabin has a premium vibe with nicer trim materials than many other compact cars.

Technology: Mini's infotainment system works well with an easy-to-read optional 8.8-inch touchscreen display. The infotainment controller in the center console can be difficult to reach, but the voice controls work well with natural voice commands. Direct controls for climate control are convenient, and the classic toggle switches for other functions are a nice throwback to the original Mini design. The Mini also gets Bluetooth^® connectivity as well as smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay^®.

What Needs Improvement

Utility: The cargo capacity of the Mini Cooper is considerably less than the competition. Even the four-door model with additional space still only offers 13.1 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. The cabin also has little storage available. A small central covered cubby doesn't offer much space, and there are numerous bins, but all are relatively small, reducing their value.