Flash Drive

2015 Mini Cooper S

August 24, 2015 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 
The Mini Cooper S Hardtop 4-door is the latest member of the fun Min Cooper line.
The Mini Cooper S Hardtop 4-door is the latest member of the fun Min Cooper line.

Model Tested: 2015 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 4-door

Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas turbocharged, 189 horsepower, 207 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive

EPA Ratings: 24/City—34/Highway—27/Combined

Base Price: $25,100

As Tested: $34,500

The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produces a spirited 189 hp.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produces a spirited 189 hp.

Performance:

Small car with big driving fun

Nimble and quick

Shines on twisty backroads

Reasonable highway ride

Excellent 6-speed and clutch

Quick steering

Go-kart handling

Excellent brakes

Sport and Eco driving modes

We averaged 31.4 mpg in Sport mostly hwy

Easy to park

The rear seat is easily accessible and has room for adults if the front seats are up a ways.
The rear seat is easily accessible and has room for adults if the front seats are up a ways.

Comfort:

Excellent, supportive seats on a long trip

Adjustable lower thigh support a great help

Manual lumbar adjustment

Heated front seats, three temp

Stretch-out front legroom

Great headroom

Third sun visor on driver’s left

Rather hard headrests

Thick, contoured steering wheel

Mediocre auxiliary controls

Real adults can fit in backseat

Strictly a four-passenger car, not five

Luggage space behind the seats is quite good and easy to reach via the rear hatch.
Luggage space behind the seats is quite good and easy to reach via the rear hatch.

Utility:

Surprisingly good luggage space

Neat under floor storage bin

Analog speedometer a little small

Two seatback pouches

Tiny rear door bins

Rear hatch opens high for tall people

Split folding rear seats

Rain sensing wipers

Wow Factors:

Incredibly fun to drive

Back seat is accessible and useable

Panoramic sunroof option

Lots of neat details

Unique styling

Out on the open road is where the go-kart like Mini Cooper S likes to be.
Out on the open road is where the go-kart like Mini Cooper S likes to be.

Whines:

Expensive option packages

Info/navigation controls not super intuitive

Very small console storage

Bottom Line:

The four-door hardtop is the newest addition to the Mini Cooper line and it’s a fine addition. The extra interior space/versatility is very welcome and outwardly it still looks like a Mini. The performance S model

is the one to get, because it’s so much fun to drive. Fuel economy is very good even though the Mini almost begs to be driven aggressively.