Now on its fourth generation since BMW took ownership of the MINI brand, this latest version feels like a transitional one to connect the MINI to the electrical grid once and for all. That's because, following this MINI Cooper S (F66), it will be farewell to the combustion engine; but is this the best iteration yet and is there any reason to buy this one over the electric model? Starting price is £27,550, but our specced model with the Exclusive package comes in at £30,300.

Exterior Design

The front looks great—a silky smooth bonnet/hood carries the familiar stylings of every MINI generation, but dispenses with the 3rd gen model’s exterior profile layering, such as chrome accents and additional lower lights, while the grill is now wider. Interestingly, the LED headlights, with their distinctive round shape, are complemented by sleek, modern LED rings that serve as daytime running lights, giving the MINI Cooper S an enhanced aesthetic appeal. Inside these rings, the headlights feature adaptive technology that adjusts beam direction based on steering input, improving visibility around curves for safer nighttime driving. High beam assist automatically switches between high and low beams, offering convenience and ensuring optimal visibility without blinding other road users. And they even wink at you when the car unlocks—all you have to do is walk up to it, thanks to MINI Comfort Access. You can even use your iPhone as a digital key, which will still work even if your phone’s battery is depleted.

From the side, the 4th generation MINI Cooper S exhibits a refined evolution of its silhouette from the 3rd generation, showcasing a more athletic stance while retaining the iconic MINI character. The 4th gen model features slightly increased dimensions, measuring approximately 4,049 mm (159.4 inches) in length—about 122 mm (4.8 inches) longer than its predecessor. This increase in length contributes to a more elongated appearance, enhancing the overall sporty silhouette. The width has also expanded to around 1,734 mm (68.4 inches), giving it a more planted stance on the road. Additionally, the height remains similar at about 1,414 mm (55.7 inches), preserving the classic MINI proportions while adding a more dynamic profile. The wheelbase has been lengthened slightly to 2,495 mm (98.2 inches), which not only aids stability but also allows for improved interior space (more on that later).

The sharper body lines and defined contours of the 4th gen model give it a more assertive look from the side and front profiles, particularly around the wheel arches and side skirts. The placement of the door handles has also been subtly adjusted, enhancing the sleekness of the design. Worth noting, the petrol version retains traditional rounded handles that pop out from the body, while the electric version has opted for generic flush, pocket-style handles—a look that feels very un-MINI. Also, the hood of the petrol version appears cleaner than the electric version, which has a higher hood cutout line that makes it look more like a concept car than a finished design.

However, things take an unexpected turn at the rear of the new MINI on all models, as if the designers were suddenly swapped over with some from Skoda. Picture a world where the MINI never existed and this car just materialised out of thin air—its rear would still feel like it’s having an identity crisis. Considering MINI’s proud heritage of rounded, curvy designs, these new taillights look like they’ve gone rogue, transforming into aggressively right-angled triangles that scream awkwardness and are too flush with the body. It’s as if they were designed for a completely different car, and every time you catch a glimpse of the 3rd gen MINI hatch with its bulbous taillights, you can’t help but think, “Now that’s what a MINI should look like!”

Adding to the mystery, there’s the baffling trend of de-chroming that started with the previous generation—and it’s not even an option when ordering. This vibrant green colour would absolutely shine with some chrome accents around the headlights and trim. Speaking of colour, there are too many combinations to list, but we have the flagship ‘Ocean Wave Green’ (an extra £550) with a white contrasting roof and mirror caps (less rounded in this iteration). The alloys are the 17” ‘U-Spoke’ wheels, and despite being advertised as silver, they carry a pleasing rose gold hue. Configured like this, the Cooper S has a cheerful, upbeat look and noticeably turned heads wherever it went.

Interior

It’s a nice place to be, whether you’re the driver or a passenger. However, the rear seats leave much to be desired when it comes to legroom. Then again, it’s a MINI hatch, and those seats are really intended for infrequent use or for children. Rear passengers have even less reason to be back there now, as they’re only provided with one cup holder, and there are no longer any bins on the sides or behind the front seat pockets for storage—or even a centre light! These seats can be folded flat, providing a total of 800 litres of rear space, but with the seats up, there’s only 200 litres of space. The adjustable floor allows for some very useful storage underneath it. In practical terms, the trunk/boot can fit around four to five shopping bags. The glove box is similar to before but no longer has a light inside, and the front door bins, along with the two cup holders, can accommodate the largest Starbucks' cups without concern. The woven MINI storage box in the centre console looks nice but seems to replace the functionality of the previously openable armrest, which is now a solid unit.

Sitting in this car up front is where all the niceties are immediately noticeable, starting with the blissfully comfortable leatherette Vescin seating, which is fully manually adjustable and heated. Whether you’re driving short, long, zippy, or leisurely, these seats hug you into position, and there’s plenty of legroom. The new steering wheel is also heated and features a charming piece of fabric in the lower portion—this is the best wheel design MINI has come up with yet. Remarkably chunkier yet comfortably tactile to hold, the controls are responsive and easy to use too. In fact, the interior feels slightly bigger, and the MINI Cooper S doesn’t really seem like a small car due to its clever use of proportions throughout this entirely redesigned space.

There are many memorable touches, like the all-new circular infotainment screen, larger air vents, and fewer buttons, switches and controls in the centre console. There’s now a faux key-like twist mechanism to start the car, and one of the standout details is the recycled materials created from PET bottles, which feature a woven appearance. These materials are prominently used in interior elements such as the headliner, floor mats, and stylish door and dash trims. However, contrasting these unique and thoughtful design features, certain areas of the interior have seen a reduction in material quality, which feels like a cost-cutting exercise. Hard plastics, reminiscent of the first-generation BMW MINI Cooper, are present in the lower door portions, back panels and centre console. This is odd, considering how BMW elevated the MINI brand to greater luxury over the years by previously equipping soft-touch materials throughout the interior. While this fourth generation may look stylised, and does enhance the interior experience overall, it feels less luxurious in some places.

At night we’ve become accustomed to the accent lighting available in various MINI vehicles, and here it is also implemented quite well, illuminating each door and the dash in this Cooper S. The colour of the light seems to depend on which experience mode you have the car in. We couldn’t find a way in the settings to define a colour that differed from its corresponding mode or to have it transition between colours, which is a shame as this was possible in previous generations.

One standout feature that represents a massive upgrade is that, in the new MINI Cooper S, the climate controls can operate without the engine running thanks to the addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This system uses a compact lithium-ion battery to power various electronic components independently of the engine, allowing features like climate controls to function while the engine is off. This setup is designed for better fuel efficiency, as it reduces the need to idle the engine just to power accessories like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). It’s an approach that blends some perks of electric power into a traditionally petrol (gas)-powered model.

Infotainment

In essence, MINI has embraced a minimalistic yet functional approach, delivering a bold digital cockpit that brings a fresh, sophisticated touch to the interior while staying true to MINI’s distinctive design roots. This system doesn’t just look sleek; it feels intuitive and responsive, a testament to MINI’s confidence in a touch-based future that’s truly easy to use. Gone are the BMW-style iDrive controls that once sat in the centre console to navigate the infotainment; in fact, it features the world’s first circular OLED display in a car. This stunning high-resolution OLED panel provides vibrant colours and deep contrast, making every feature and icon on the screen clear and sharp. With almost no bezel, the interface flows seamlessly to the edge of the screen, giving it a modern, floating appearance that aligns with MINI’s playful yet purposeful style.

A core functionality of the system is the experiences modes, which informs the display layout as well as audio and light responses in the car depending on the mode you choose, similar to how faces work on the Apple Watch. Notably, on the Cooper S, ‘Go Kart’ mode serves as the new ‘Sports’ mode, tightening the steering, spending more time in each gear, and playing engine noise through the car's speakers. Everything else you need—such as a speedometer, navigation with live traffic updates, settings, general media playback, weather, and a customisable home screen with interactive widgets—seamlessly integrates with wireless Apple CarPlay, which we’ve used, or Android Auto, which we haven’t. Apple CarPlay takes full advantage of the screen, with navigation, messages and music apps like Spotify or Apple Music all at your fingertips when running from an iPhone. Via the use of voice commands, you can make calls, send texts, or change playlists hands-free.

MINI has thoughtfully laid out high-traffic controls. For example, dual climate controls for both the driver and passenger are located at the very edges of the screen, allowing each person to adjust settings independently. The symbols are large and clearly defined, creating a refined experience that feels natural to interact with, eliminating the clutter of physical buttons without sacrificing functionality.

Engine Lineup

The MINI lineup has fully phased out diesel engines, now offering only petrol and electric options. Plus, the petrol model is now automatic-only, almost as if BMW is nudging customers toward the electric version as the future choice while keeping the combustion engine for those not quite ready to make the jump. The engine lineup is simple to understand: the Cooper S comes exclusively with a 2.0L straight 4-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo petrol engine, capable of 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and producing 204 horsepower. You can opt for paddle shifters to control the double-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission.

It’s clear that MINI’s days of internal combustion engines are numbered. This model will be phased out after a six-year run as MINI’s last ICE vehicle, with a full transition to electric set for 2030. MINI’s design even seems to subtly “disguise” the combustion engine: the exhaust pipe is hidden, the front grille appears almost solid from a distance, and the automatic-only transmission adds to the shift in tone. These choices make it clear that MINI’s journey to an all-electric future is moving forward at full speed.

The Drive

Firstly, the seat and steering wheel adjustments are easy to use and very intuitive to understand. You immediately feel snug and comfortable, with all the necessary controls at easy reach, enhanced by the fact that the touch-screen OLED display incorporates control of the driver experience and even has the heater and air-con controls, which we found an improvement on the old physical buttons or knobs. Once adjusted to personal preference, the driver visibility is excellent, and the well-placed head up digital display showing both your speed and the legal limit for the road means your eyes remain focussed on that road.

Once behind the wheel everything is simple. A twist of a knob starts the engine, switch to drive and away you go. The soft touch, heated steering wheel is thick and solid and feels good to hold, with all the thumb buttons in easy reach, as are the light and indicator paddles. The automatic box has seven gears and they shift smoothly and seamlessly. The first thing we noticed was the quick response from the gutsy 2 litre engine and the tight, positive steering—something that we find synonymous with the MINI Cooper brand.

Much of the physical effort of driving has gone with this MINI Cooper S. The gears are automatic, the wipers are automatic, the headlights are automatic; and that includes going from full beam to dipped when oncoming cars are in view. It can easily be set to cruise control at the press of a button, then the accelerator is automatic — not much to do apart from reading the road conditions and steering. But even then it has lane assist and parking assist, making the steering automatic too! And it also has automatic emergency braking, but thankfully this was not put to the test in our driving experience.

Nevertheless, it is truly fun to drive. You can enjoy trying the different modes of drive experience on offer, from Green Mode, where fuel efficiency is optimised, to Sport or Go-Kart Modes, which give considerable handling differences in both acceleration and steering. Like all the MINI Coopers since the beginning, it clings to the road, and offers that go-kart experience. It is low and solid and particularly responsive, holding tight to corners and giving that extra immediate push when overtaking. There is just something about driving this car that makes you want to keep rolling along.

Now, when it’s time to reverse, apart from being a simple switch with the automatic transmission, once again the large OLED display has a sharp rear camera which gives excellent clear vision, and all the sensors are audible and well-defined. We also tried the parking assist, which worked well, but felt very odd to someone who has never had a car drive itself before.

Verdict

On the face of it, so much about the fourth-generation MINI hatch feels like a natural evolution inside and out, mostly disregarding whether it’s electric or not. While the exterior changes are more mild-mannered—and we really like the front and sides of the car—the interior presents a radically different kind of cockpit. We love the circular touchscreen, the use of recycled materials, and the luscious comfort offered by those vegan leather seats. But it’s not a straight win; the rear exterior design diverges sharply from tradition, provoking mixed feelings about its identity. Its interior is also compromised, leaving some elements feeling less premium than expected. The introduction of hard plastics is particularly noticeable and disappointing, especially when compared to previous generations that embraced softer, more luxurious materials.

The Cooper S remains a compelling option for those hesitant to fully embrace electric driving. With its strong engine performance, agile handling and familiar fun factor dynamics, it holds appeal. The third-generation MINI Cooper S hatch was unapologetically performative in every sense of the word, but it now seems MINI is less enthused about pouring glory into trim pieces like hood scoops, visible exhaust pipes, or a manual transmission, which made that Cooper S distinctive. Now you can’t help but look at the move from the third-generation Cooper S to the 2025 MINI Cooper S (F66) as that from a Walkman to the iPod. Although the MINI electric hatch is the future of MINI, this somewhat ironically nostalgic edition nonetheless captivates memorable charm with its spirited performance.