First Look: 2025 Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S

Months after rolling out the all-electric Mini Cooper SE, the British automaker has finally lifted the covers on two new gas-powered versions of the three-door hatchback, the 2025 Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S. More from Headlight.News.

While it might seem like just yesterday that Mini staged its return to the U.S. market but the passage of time can clearly be seen by the fact that the British brand is rolling out the fifth-generation of its iconic Mini Cooper model, as well as the more sporty Mini Cooper S.

And while the exterior design may seem largely evolutionary, it’s far more revolutionary under the skin. For its part, Mini bills the makeover of the three-door model as “the most significant transformation for Mini since its founding 65 years ago.”

That covers a lot of ground, from the underlying platform to the new infotainment technology. There are some notable powertrain choices, not limited to the all-electric Cooper SE we’ve already seen, and more in the way of advanced driver assistance systems.

New look

In an unusual move, Mini rolled out the Cooper SE first — and there’s clearly a family resemblance in the circular LED headlamps, the front hood and fenders, the Union Jack-patterned taillamps and the rear bumper and tailgate. Even the new octagonal  grille picks up on the design of the SE. The headlamps and LED running lights offer three driver-programmable “signatures,” as Mini calls them: Classic, Favoured and JCW.

The cabin picks up on the familiar, minimalist interior design theme, though there’s a new steering wheel and largely redesigned instrument panel. Mini uses the 9.4-inch OLED digital display for both the infotainment system and to display speed and other vehicle data, perhaps the most controversial aspect of the new design, but the display has been moved closer to the driver to minimize the time a motorist’s eyes are taken off the road.

Other controls, including the parking brake and gear shift lever also have been moved to more convenient locations.

Love it or leave it, Mini products have been growing ever so slightly larger. And that’s the case here. That translates into a bit more passenger and cargo space. All seats up, there’s 8.9 cubic feet of room in back. Fold down the rear seats and that jumps to 34.4 cf.

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Technology

With the Mini Experience Modes twin projector display graphics on the dashboard. Along with the ambient lighting system this allows the driver to personalize the look of the cockpit.

The new Mini Cooper and Cooper S rely on 12 different exterior sensors, including camera, radar and sonar, for the upgrade driver assistance systems. Among the new features, the Safe Exit function delays unlocking either of the side doors if it senses oncoming traffic when the Mini is parked. It also uses lights to signal those approaching of a potential collision.

And an Alexa-style voice assistant can be activated simply by saying, “Hey, Mini,” to operate a variety of vehicle functions. The Mini Digital Key Plus function lets a motorist use their smartphone instead of a key fob. And it can be transferred electronically to other drivers.

Powertrain options

In the U.S., motorists will have two choices when it comes to internal combustion engines, both based off an Inline-4 displaying 2.0-liters.

In the Cooper S, it produces 201 horsepower and 22 pound-feet of torque, enough to launch the hatchback from 0-60 in 6.3 seconds.

Figures for the base Cooper version of the engine will be released closer to launch.

Pricing and availability.

Look for the Mini Cooper S to go into production in March. It will carry an MSRP of $32,200.

The Mini Cooper goes into production four months later and starts at $28,950.

With both models add $995 in delivery fees.