I do not envy the job of redesigning a car like the 2025 MINI Cooper S. On one hand, you want to give it a fresh look that can wow the public. On the other hand, it cannot deviate too much from what made the original an icon and such a success for over six decades. Even after taking one look at this latest iteration, I think their designers have done as great a job to evolve what is easily among the most recognizable shapes in the automotive world.

First of all, let’s address what is quite literally the elephant in the room—its size. The new Mini Cooper has grown once again and looks closer in size to a compact hatchback than the subcompact it used to be. The classic design details are ever present, including the unmistakable silhouette, rounded headlights, and contrasting mirrors and roof. The rear hatch slopes more inwards than the outgoing model, resulting in a sportier look, and I love that you can personalize the styling by choosing from one of three patterns for the LED headlights and tail lights.

The new Mini Cooper’s interior sees a massive rework. It is a simple but modern interpretation of the classic Mini dashboard, placing an emphasis around a large, round LED screen, which houses both the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment. The lively animations shown throughout the various menus are lively, and the interactive features channel the fun-loving character that has made Mini the cult icon that it is. However, we noted some latency in the system response, and the minimalistic design meant sacrifices were made, including the omission of a speedometer where it should be — behind the steering wheel — as well as a traditional gear lever and the classic toggle switches.

While the footprint has increased, overall interior space feels about the same. It is not cramped by any measure up front, and the seats are rather comfortable. The driver’s chair even has a massage function, which was a real surprise at this price point. Entering the back seats may present a bit of trouble for someone taller or less flexible, but once you are settled, it is not as punishing as you would think. Cargo space is rated at 210 litres with the seats up, expanding to 725 L with the 40/60 split bench folded.

Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Cooper S pumps out 201 horsepower and 212 pound-feet of torque. We would not call this quick — it does the zero-to-100 km/h run in 6.6 seconds, some eight-tenths faster than the standard Cooper — but it packs a decent punch down low and feels lively thanks to the quick-shifting, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Cooper S makes zipping through traffic fun, and does so with a decent growl, to boot. Official fuel consumption figures have not been released yet, but I managed 9.0 L/100 kilometres combined after my week of city-heavy commuting with a heavy right foot. Premium fuel is recommended.

The Mini Cooper has always emphasized being fun-to-drive, and we are glad to see that this new model has not deviated from that principle. Steering is quick and response is fairly accurate, but the wheel’s thick diameter takes away from steering feel. As expected, there is some understeer when you push hard into a corner, but the limits are well-communicated, so there are hardly any surprises. For the best sense of engagement, though, I kept wishing for the ability to shift manually, even though those days are over. I would settle for a more defined sport mode, instead of picking from one of four so-called Experience Modes.

Pricing starts at $39,990, but this particular Mini Cooper S tester was equipped with the $4,000 Premier package, along with $600 for the Ocean Wave Green paint job, bringing the total to $44,590 as-tested. It is hard to find a direct competitor that offers as much character, but based on its price tag and performance, I would pit it against the Volkswagen GTI, though they are unlikely to be cross-shopped often. The Cooper S is great for those who want something fun to drive and to express their individuality, while the GTI better serves those looking for performance, engagement, and practicality in one package.

The designers behind the 2025 Mini Cooper S successfully nailed the tall task of giving a universally recognized car a fresh makeover, without losing the fun-loving personality that made it into a cult icon. This evolution lost a few things I miss, especially the lack of a third pedal, but the spirit is there. This latest generation carries on the torch of being the fun little hatchback that brings joy.