Mini is by far the most “fun” brand out there, clinging on to their quirkiness even though they’re BMWs underneath. The brand doesn’t shy away from its British heritage, either, knowing full well its customer base wants something spunky and different. This latest 2025 Mini Cooper S 5-Door doesn’t deviate from the formula; if anything, it leans even deeper into the quirky and cool.
We all put on a few pounds with age
Mini has definitely put on a few lobs since its inception in 1959. This latest iteration tips the scales at around 3,100 pounds, a tad heavier than the 1,290-pound curb weight of the original, and almost 200 more than the previous-generation Mini. It’s also longer and wider, and sits a touch lower than before, but it’s still unmistakably Mini despite only sharing the doors and glass with the last one. Headlights and taillights are all-new, but you’d be forgiven for not noticing, even if the tail lights have some clever new lighting animations.
The front grille has also been revised. As a former owner, I still don’t think it works as well as the more conventional-looking R56-generation Mini, but but it’s a nice evolution of the previous-gen F56 design. Our tester’s British Racing Green paint is beautiful and perfect for the Cooper S, and the titanium-like finish on the trim pieces add a unique and premium feel. Black mirror caps and door handles add additional contrast to the look. The 18-inch “Night Flash” wheels are positively Mini, with a unique turbine-ish multi-spoke design finished in black and titanium, matching the exterior trim pieces. The five-door doesn’t look as good as the typical three-door version, but it’s a game of inches. [Hey, phrasing! —Ed.] The rear doors are among the tiniest I’ve ever seen, making for slight ingress and egress challenges,
Mini on the outside, Mini on the inside
The uniqueness is cranked up inside, with Mini really leaning into their personality harder than they have in years. There’s still a central gauge cluster/infotainment screen combo, but now it’s OLED and 9.4 inches in diameter. It’s incredibly bright and vivid, with excellent black levels and creative graphics to boot, although it’s occasionally slow to respond to inputs.
The dash is covered in a textured grey fabric with a contrasting white pattern and integrated ambient lighting. The ambient lighting is awesome, poking through the fabric with completely different designs and shapes based on your chosen drive mode. I’m not just talking colour, I’m talking patterns — thin lines, thick lines, circles, you name it. The centre console features a compartment that opens with a beautifully designed fabric pull, which matches the fabric straps on the dash and thick-rimmed, BMW-like steering wheel. It’s all very unique and very MINI, and I love it.
The heads up display is full colour, and changes based on the drive mode you’re in. And we need to talk about those drive modes — Mini calls them experiences, affecting not just the driving characteristics but the entire interior ambience. The central screen changes completely when you flick between Go Kart, Vivid, or Efficient, and the ambient lightning responds in kind as well. The manually adjustable front seats are finished in dark blue faux leather with contrasting piping that matches the dash and fabric pulls throughout. The front seats and cargo area are spacious, with the only real downside being the tight rear quarters. Still, it’s not hard to appreciate the uniqueness of this modern Mini. This thing just oozes character.
Giddy up
OK, at 189 horsepower, the Cooper S 5-Door might be a tad short of ponies in today’s world. But it’s a torquey little thing, with the BMW-sourced 2.0-litre turbo-four churning out 221 pound-feet of twist at an incredibly low 1,450 RPM. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is less of a willing dance partner than I’d like, with downshifts often coming slowly and reluctantly, and no paddles for you to engage with. That, tied with the substantial turbo lag, means it can feel like a genuine two- or three-Mississippi delay before full power is unleashed. But once it does, it’s obvious Mini has inherited BMW’s tendency to underrate figures.
The thick BMW-like steering wheel feels out of place in a car that’s supposed to feel small and nimble, and the heavy weight of the steering can feel like a bit of a chore at times. It’s one of the few times I wished for slightly more boost from the electric rack, although that would likely exacerbate the already cartoonish levels of torque steer.
The suspension can be described as capable and fun, although also somewhat uncomfortable with its pogo-like behaviour, feeling almost under-dampened — in other words, the shocks can’t keep the spring rebound in check. With that being said, it’s a primary motion thing, as once it immediately returns back to neutral there’s no further bounce or oscillation whatsoever. There’s a good chance the optional adaptive suspension would be helpful here. The Cooper S fees eager and ready, permanently four coffees deep. Take that as you will, but you can’t say it isn’t characterful.
Far from perfect but perfectly Mini
The 2025 Mini Cooper S 5-door is a bit of a flawed transportation device. It’s small, kind of ergonomically awkward, missing some features, and the ride isn’t for everyone. It’s also a bit spendy, coming in at $47,440 as-tested for such a small thing. But where it lacks in conventional metrics, it more than makes up for in personality.
