The new 2025 Mini Cooper is a fresh take on the company's most iconic model. It's full of personality and works well as an everyday commuter. Unfortunately, the zippy performance that made previous Coopers so fun to drive is largely absent in this newest model.Read full review
The Cooper is Mini's minuscule hatchback that's known for smiles per gallon more than anything else. It's the brand's most affordable model, and it receives a full redesign this year. The Cooper is pretty much the same size as before — helping it deliver the classic Mini driving experience — and the exterior styling hasn't changed much either. Inside, however, Mini has overhauled the 2025 Cooper's interior with a new look and upgraded tech. It has also revised the Cooper's engine lineup.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Average
6.1
out of 10
We drove the 2025 MINI Cooper on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Driving experience
5.9/10
How does the MINI Cooper drive? We tested a Mini Cooper S coupe. At our test track, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds (the same as a Mazda Miata). That's decent, but the Cooper S is missing the playful handling it used to be known for. The latest model isn't particularly balanced or grippy when driving around corners. Another bummer is the automatic transmission's show shifts. There are no paddle shifters to let you shift gears yourself either. That's disappointing because this car is meant to be engaging and fun to drive.
For a sporty hatchback, the Cooper S's ride quality is firm but not unreasonably so. You will feel bigger bumps in the road, especially through the front of the car.
Our test Cooper S came with many of the latest driver assist features, such as blind-spot warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. All of it worked well in our testing.
Comfort
5.8/10
How comfortable is the MINI Cooper? The Mini Cooper S lacks the roominess and practicality that you get from other small cars. Front passengers get decent headroom, but the ability to spread out is not really there. For short journeys, adults can use the back seat; however, it's best to keep the second row for kid use. The back seat has car seat LATCH points that are easy to spot, but good luck getting a car seat back there with such a small door opening.
All of the car's functions are controlled via the center screen. This approach makes for a very clean-looking dash, but it's not very functional. Doing simple things like adjusting the fan speed or turning off the engine stop-start requires a few screen taps. Regular physical buttons would for sure be easier to use.
In-cabin tech
5.8/10
How’s the tech? The center-mounted circular screen is a novel feature in the Mini. The screen's resolution is outstanding, with clear graphics and gorgeous colors. The onboard navigation system is straightforward to use and provides clear directions and quick response times. The system also includes wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and comes with a wireless charging pad for your phone.
That's the good news. The bad news is the on-screen interface also includes most of the car's controls. Using them when driving is more distracting than having traditional physical controls. Whether you're trying to adjust the climate controls or turn on or off some of the driver aids, it must be done through the screen.
Storage & cargo
3/10
How’s storage and cargo? The Mini Cooper doesn't have an abundance of cargo space. To get a real usable cargo area, you need to fold down the second row and use the car primarily as a two-seater. The Mini's hatch is much smaller than that of a Honda Civic hatchback or Volkswagen Golf GTI. Small-item storage is also a bit lacking, and there isn't a center console bin. There is some storage in the door pockets and under the center touchscreen, but not as much as we'd like to see.
Value
6.8/10
Is the MINI Cooper a good value? When it comes to build quality, the Mini Cooper is up there with the best of them. It has an upscale interior construction, with an emphasis on nice materials and very few cheap plastics. In short, we think it's the nicest interior you'll find in this class of car.
Whether you're getting your money's worth on a Cooper depends on perception. The Mini is cheaper than a loaded version of the VW Golf GTI, but it's more expensive than a Honda Civic Hybrid hatchback, which has the same horsepower and nice interior amenities.
Mini's warranty is average, with a four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty.
MPG
7/10
How’s the fuel economy? According to the EPA, the Cooper S, which is what we tested, gets 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's marginally better than the Subaru BRZ and Volkswagen Golf GTI. During our testing period, we found the real-world fuel economy was in line with the EPA estimates.
X factor
7/10
The latest Mini Cooper S definitely has visual personality. We only wish it drove with the same exuberance that its styling promises. What was once a legit hot hatch is now best used as a commuter car.
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2025 MINI Cooper JCW Iconic pricing in Ashburn, VA
The 2025 Mini Cooper hatchback is available as a two-door or four-door. The two-door is offered in two models: Cooper Hardtop 2 Door and Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door. The four-door is only available in one model: Cooper S Hardtop 4 Door. From there, you can pick from Signature, Signature Plus and Iconic trim levels. The John Cooper Works high-performance model is expected to be added to the lineup later in production. Compare the 2025 MINI Cooper trim levels in-depth.
Which Cooper trim does Edmunds recommend?
We suggest opting for the Cooper S model. Its additional power is worth the extra spend. We also like the Signature Plus trim level because it allows for more customization and adds a nice list of helpful features from the Comfort and Active Driving Assistant packages.
Competitors to consider
The Mazda Miata and the Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 twins are good alternatives. They lack the Cooper's hatchback utility but otherwise have the same fun-to-drive spirit. You might also check out the Mazda 3 hatchback or Volkswagen Golf GTI. They're not quite as nimble as the Cooper but provide more interior space. Check back later for our test team's thorough review of the redesigned 2025 Mini Cooper.
Edmunds spotlight: What's new for 2025
The base three-cylinder engine is out and has been replaced by a more powerful 161-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The sportier Cooper S gets a 201-hp version of that engine. A manual transmission is currently not available, but it's possible it will return at a later date along with the John Cooper Works high-performance model. Inside, you'll find a larger 9.4-inch circular touchscreen with crisp OLED graphics is the centerpiece. It displays a playfully designed interface that's customizable and even features a cartoon dog named Spike that serves as the voice assistant's avatar.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Cooper both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.1 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the Cooper ranges from 5.2 to 8.9 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a MINI Cooper. Learn more
Is the MINI Cooper reliable?
To determine whether the MINI Cooper is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Cooper. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Cooper's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 MINI Cooper a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 MINI Cooper is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 Cooper and gave it a 6.1 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 Cooper is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 MINI Cooper?
The least-expensive 2025 MINI Cooper is the 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Iconic 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $42,600.
Other versions include:
JCW Iconic 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $42,600
JCW Iconic 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $48,100
If you're interested in the MINI Cooper, the next question is, which Cooper model is right for you? Cooper variants include JCW Iconic 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), and JCW Iconic 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). For a full list of Cooper models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more