2017 Mini Cooper S Review – Video

 

This essential Mini Cooper is one of the most recognizable shapes on the road today and universally fun to drive. Its interior has (thankfully) evolved from its quirky beginnings to its relatively useful and meaningful design today. Although its exterior was overhauled two years ago, you’d be hard-pressed to spot many differences.

 

 

The Cooper comes in several different flavors, all of which can be customized to your budget: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper Convertible, and Clubman. The Cooper and Cooper S are also offered with four doors, which are standard on the Clubman. The Clubman is the only Cooper available with all-wheel-drive.

Three turbocharged powertrains are available in the Cooper. The base turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder makes 124 horsepower and is very fun to drive. The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 in Cooper S models makes 189 hp—but may outkick its own coverage. At the top is the 2.0-liter turbo-4 in the John Cooper Works edition, which makes 228 hp, and we have a wonderful, warm straight jacket waiting right over here for those drivers. Those engines can be paired to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.