Mini Cooper S review

Mini has always been the poster child for the "less is more" philosophy, and the 2024 model is no different. It’s a minimalist masterpiece—slick, clean, and smoother than a freshly ironed suit. And yet, somehow, it manages to look larger than it really is, pulling off that TARDIS-like trick of making you think it's roomier than it is. Up front, it’s got those iconic short overhangs, a new octagonal grille that’s more confident than a peacock at a beauty contest, and those cheeky round LED headlights that look like they're winking at you. I dare you not to smile when you see it.

At the back, Mini has decided to get all fancy, adding a new triangular light design that’s, well, undeniably different. It’s as if Mini is saying, “Look, mate, we’ve been quirky for decades, we’re not stopping now.” And let’s not forget the wheels —16 to 18 inches of alloy goodness that Mini claims will shrink your carbon footprint. Why? Because they’re made of recycled aluminum and weigh about as much as a well-fed squirrel.

Step inside the cabin and it’s like Mini has gone full sci-fi on us. Front and centre, you’re greeted by a world’s first — a 9.45-inch OLED display, proudly sourced from Samsung. That’s right, the same people who make your telly are now putting screens in your car. And what a screen it is! This thing is so sharp, you could probably shave with it. Crisp visuals, vibrant colours, and faster than a toddler after a sugary snack — it’s easily the most striking bit of tech I’ve seen in a car.

Now, as if that OLED screen wasn’t enough to make you feel like you’re piloting the Starship Enterprise, Mini has decided to throw in a Harman Kardon sound system that’s nothing short of auditory perfection. I’m talking the kind of sound quality that makes you linger in the car, parked in your driveway, just to finish a track or two.

 

 

 

 

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The audio is so crisp, so detailed, it’s like having a live concert right there in the front seat. You hear layers, textures, maybe even the ghost of the bassist’s ego. And the best part? The Mini’s cabin is so well damped, not even the clatter of potholes or the rattle of loose change in the cupholder can interfere. You’re cocooned in an acoustic paradise, and trust me, it’s glorious. It’s the kind of sound that makes you say, “You know what? I think I’ll take the long way home.” Simply superb.

You also get an in-cabin camera that allows you to take pictures and videos of the occupants in the car. It’s also useful when you have to attend Zoom calls or other meetings.

With a stiff suspension and an engine that is eager to be pushed hard, the Minicooper S feels like a thoroughbred. Flick it in the ‘Go Kart’ mode and you are in for a treat! The power is instantaneous, and the car lunges forward like its backside has been set on fire, all while keeping its composure and stance! Naught to hundred comes in at under 7 seconds while you feel the massive 204Hp and 300Nm kick in.

The stiff suspension and sporty stance also translate to blazingly fast cornering speeds and abilities. The Cooper S feels planted on the road like no other and instills a sense of hooliganism and fearless steering that allows you to corner like you’re in a video game. However smooth roads are where the Mini shines, introduce it to potholes and speed breakers that are designed to break cars more than their speed and you soon start to clench muscles you didn’t know even existed.

You get a lot of different modes, including Eco, but quite frankly no one in their right mind who buys this is going to get out of the extremely fun and responsive ‘Go Kart’ mode. However, if you do find yourself stuck in some city traffic, the other modes come in handy. The other lovely bit about the Mini is how accessible it seems. It isn’t intimidating and it's extremely easy to drive… almost like a go kart no matter what mode you’re in.

But that ease also comes with a downside for purists. There’s no paddle shifters or a good old stick to manually control the gearbox and that is a big downer on the experience. I constantly felt my hands subconsciously trying to grab phantom paddle shifts or suddenly hovering over in the middle trying to look for a stick to change gears and that is where I felt a little disappointed.

If you’re considering the Mini Cooper S it’s obviously a heart decision and not one you’ve practically thought about. It’s essentially a driver’s car and even though it has four seats, the backseats are not comfortable or accessible too easily. But having said that, we did find the lack of some manual control while driving a bit disappointing and if you’re scratching your head about the same thing, there is a solution (hopefully) and it is called JCW. The JCW variant should hit Indian markets soon, like all of its predecessors have and that will be the last ‘True’ Mini that you’d get with an ICE.