2015 Mini Cooper Review: Performance, Design, and Features

My Experience with the 2015 Mini Cooper

The History of Mini Cooper

These days, most people know a bit about the history of Mini Cooper. The brand was born in 1959 by the British automobile company (BMC). Since its first production, it has achieved significant success.

Many models were developed until the year 2000, when everything changed. Mini began a new chapter under BMW, yet it is still regarded as a British car. Similar to Volkswagen's Beetle, BMW aimed to modernize, enhance, and increase the safety of the Mini. As a fan of Mini cars, I previously owned a 1989 MK 5 City model, which was quite a challenge. I enjoyed that car; it was practical in its day, easy to drive, and fun.

It almost became a huge success, with solid construction and good sales that continue, but people still love the classics. Additionally, its once reasonable price no longer seems so. After 14 years, much has changed. Here’s my experience with the 2015 Mini Cooper S.

Elegance

They have tried their best to keep the car reminiscent of the original, even as it grows in size year after year. Nonetheless, its appearance remains cute and youthful. The beautiful colors bring a sense of joy, but the new Mini can no longer be considered "mini" in size.

The Cabin

Materials and Cabin Quality

Now produced by BMW, the materials are excellent and of high quality. While not on par with other BMW models, it comes very close. The only downside is the plastic on the vanity mirrors. The seats are leather and soft, as is the steering wheel. The buttons feel solid and satisfying.

Space and Visibility in the Cabin

I noticed there is more space; BMW has added room for rear passengers and in the trunk. This is great news for those who drive with friends. The front space hasn’t changed much, and both the space and seats are comfortable. The seats are not cramped unless you are tall and large. Visibility from the car is excellent; simply put, the Mini is a fun car. One downside is the blind spot. The mirrors are large and provide good visibility, but you still need to check the blind spot personally. The rear design of the car doesn’t help when you look back.

Cabin Options and Technology

The Mini Cooper S is enjoyable and exciting to drive. It has always been known for being fun. So, what about the technology? The car offers adaptive cruise control, collision warning, a radio that connects to any station worldwide, keyless entry, parking sensors, and a Green (eco-friendly) mode. However, in my opinion, why are there parking sensors? If you can't park a Mini, you probably shouldn't be driving at all. It seems that BMW is trying to make the Mini a practical car. The technology is suitable for larger modern cars, but it doesn’t quite fit a Mini.

Safety Features

In addition to technology, the Mini comes equipped with the usual airbags in the front, sides, and for passengers. It also features traction control and collision warning systems, which light up the cabin with warning lights, along with parking sensors.

The dashboard displays the speed, collision warnings, and speed limits. However, be aware that it operates on GPS, so speed limits for all streets may not be available.

Power and Transmission

This model features a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. According to Mini, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds (automatic transmission) with a top speed of 233 kph.

BMW has produced three new engines with better injection and Mini’s twin-turbo technology. They have developed a 3-cylinder, 4-cylinder, and 3-cylinder diesel engine. However, we won't see the diesel version here.

Usually, when comparing what the company claims about acceleration to your own experience, you wonder where they got that number. But this time it’s different. I put the car in sport mode and pressed the gas. The Mini launched powerfully, and you can feel the torque. I tested the acceleration; the book says it’s 6.7 seconds, and in my test, it was 6.78 seconds! Surprised? Me too.

Handling and Suspension

The Mini is known for its go-kart-like driving experience. You feel the car is very eager, like a dog waiting for you to throw a ball.

Did you see the movie "The Italian Job"? In the film, there’s a scene where three Mini cars filled with gold race through the streets of Turin, Italy. The Mini gives you that fun feeling, in a slightly larger package.

BMW has increased the power, which means improved handling, suspension, and braking. They added Dynamic Damper Control that adapts to your driving style. The steering is precise, but at times you may not feel it, and the suspension is firm with strong brakes. The brakes work with ABS and the CDC system.

Brakes

The brakes on this car are powerful. Of course, consider that the car is smaller and lighter than others. They have corner braking control (CDC), which works with ABS and EBD. I tested it by braking through corners, and yes, you will notice the difference. It shook a little, but I was able to control and direct it where I wanted.

I tested the braking and managed to stop the car from 100 kph in 2.2 seconds. That’s impressive.

Conclusion

Car enthusiasts will notice that it has become a more practical and stylish vehicle. You will also notice the joy of driving it. What I want to say is that if you want a hatchback with plenty of technology, take a look at the Audi A1. If you're looking for something economical, consider the Citroën DS3. Yes, the Mini is more expensive than others, but it’s incredibly fun, and I loved it. What I didn’t like was the technology, but many might disagree with me on this point. In my personal opinion, BMW should reduce the technology and try to maintain the car's history and the fun it is known for.