MINI Cooper 2014 Review

There’s something about the new MINI Cooper’s stance that is notably different to its predecessors. Longer, wider and slightly higher, it’s the MINI as we know it, but maximised.

It’s also modernised, with quality finishes and a truly premium look that leaves no doubt that it’s a fully-fledged member of the BMW family.

The drivetrain furthers that assertion, with an advanced turbocharged three-cylinder engine similar to that seen in BMW’s i8 Hybrid.

Displacing 1.5 litres, this diminutive engine is a convincing interpretation of the internal combustion engine’s future. In the MINI Cooper, it generates a round 100kW, but its 220Nm of torque – available from 1250-4300rpm – is more telling. An overboost function allows an additional 10Nm for short bursts.

This thoroughly modern engine is also frugal at the fuel pump, sipping a claimed 4.7L/100km (ADR Combined) in standard six-speed manual form, but is also capable of 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.9 seconds (claimed).

The optional six-speed auto takes its tipple at 4.9L/100km (ADR Combined) but reduces the benchmark acceleration figure to 7.8 seconds.

You’d expect a vehicle with larger size, increased efficiency and a dose of extra quality to cost more, but in the case of the MINI, prepare to be surprised. At $26,650 (plus on-road costs), the entry-point MINI Cooper manual (as seen here) is some $5000 less than its previous-generation equivalent.

As standard, the Cooper’s engine is fitted with idle stop-start. Other standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, a Cooper-specific rear spoiler, and dusk-sensing headlights with rain sensors.

Six airbags, the usual suite of safety features (anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control) plus key additions such as the electronic differential lock, crash sensor, cruise control with braking function and active pedestrian protection system bring peace of mind.

The driver benefits from keyless entry and start, a multi-function steering wheel, ambient LED lighting, MP3/USB/Bluetooth connectivity, air-con and cloth trim.

The tested vehicle also comes with ‘Pepper package’, an array of additional equipment that is bundled into a single tick-box.

For an additional $3000, you gain ‘Visual Boost’, which brings a 6.5-inch interior monitor, 16-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, extended Bluetooth functionality with audio streaming, customisable LED interior lighting, clear indicator lenses and front/rear fog lights.

The car on test also had a reversing camera ($470), black bonnet stripes ($200), Anthracite roof lining ($300), Piano black interior surfaces ($250), sun protection glazing ($400), and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror ($200) fitted. As you can see, a steady hand is required when specifying a new MINI, lest your $26,650 bargain balloon well into $30K-plus territory.

There’s no doubting that the MINI still has character, particularly in this ‘visually-boosted’ example. Beyond the traditionally-styled MINI centre stack and old-font gauges, modern touches, such as the personalised interior lighting which allows you to pick from a wide range of colours, tie the interior together beautifully.

In addition, the way the circular section of the centre stack changes colours as you change settings is highly appealing. Alter the temperature controls, and the outer ring of the circle glows blue to red, changing to green when idle stop-start is activated.

The seats are comfortable and there’s a polish to its finishes which reveal high quality for the price point.

In the back, despite increased dimensions, there remains little leg room with the driver’s seat adjusted to a 180cm frame. Headroom is better, but the Cooper remains only an occasional four-adult vehicle.

On-paper, the three-cylinder driveline is fascinating, and in reality it lives up to expectations. There’s grunt enough off the line to start in second gear which, given the extraordinarily long gearing, sees you to over 100km/h without a gear change. What stands out is the three pot’s ability to lug the tall ratios with little fuss and a wonderfully eager note, reminiscent of [cliché time] an air-cooled Porsche 911.

About the only criticism to be levelled at the engine is its slight hesitation to rev through to red-line and, although the idle stop-start cuts power unobtrusively, it’s quite rough when re-engaging… but I’m splitting hairs. On test, it used fuel at the rate of 6.4L/100km.

The gearbox’s shift action is intuitive, if not the last word in slick-shifting speed, and it can fall into the reversing plane quite easily if you’re not paying attention.

In advertising the latest Cooper, MINI has likened the driving experience to that of a go-kart. And, initially at least, there are similarities – the relatively small stature, darty electric steering and taut chassis promising near-instant response to the driver’s inputs. Additionally the nose will change tack with small throttle adjustments when loaded in a corner.

So far, so good. But when the hairpins turn to bumpy outer-urban roads and their shallower, faster corners, the new MINI Cooper’s near-instant reactions become less advantageous.

Once over that initial sharpness, the steering loses accuracy, meaning the driver needs to make adjustments through longer corners. Likewise the chassis setting, so eager to please when punting, becomes overly stiff on regular road bumps at speed, jiggling driver and passenger alike.

Braking, meanwhile, requires some heat to develop in the system before confident retardation – both in terms of pedal pressure and actual stopping power – is achieved.

For commuting, the MINI’s thick pillars instinctively lead you to believe visibility will be compromised, but in practice the flat-bottom window frames (where many smaller cars have upswept rear sections) mean that side and rear visibility is acceptable, even if it misses out on modern conveniences such as a lane departure warning system.

With its remarkable engine, quality feel and unique styling and features, the latest MINI Cooper is definitely worth considering in this price bracket, though a couple of tasty options will quickly see it priced comfortably beyond the three-door Ford Fiesta ST, which has it covered both in a straight line and in a dynamic dog-fight.

Consider it next to its alternative European competition – say, the class-leading Audi A1 and Peugeot 208 – and the MINI alternative is highly attractive.