MINI Cooper S 2021 review - better than a VW Polo GTI?

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This is the updated MINI Cooper S!

Mat’s got his hands on this newly-updated 5-door hatch (which, as ever, is also available as a 3-door) to find out whether this new Cooper S can stand up again class leaders such as the Ford Fiesta or Volkswagen Polo.

When it comes to performance, there’s three engine options to choose from - the 1, the Cooper and the Cooper S. We’ve got our hands on the Cooper S for this review, so our 5-door hatch is powered by a 2-litre 4 cylinder turbo petrol with 178hp. All options are front-wheel-drive, although you can choose between a manual or automatic gearbox.

But of course, performance probably isn’t the first reason you’ll choose the MINI - it’s the looks! Even though it may be unmistakably a MINI, the question is, are you happy with how the exterior looks have evolved over the years? Do you think the new edition looks better than ever, or do you still prefer older generations?

Let us know in the comments!

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:20 Price
00:56 Exterior Design
02:49 Interior
04:25 Back Seats
05:57 Boot
07:15 Five Annoying Things
08:32 Five Cool Features
09:49 Engines
10:16 Driving
13:20 0-60mph
14:29 Verdict

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[carwow]

What do you guys think - does the new MINI look better than ever?! Or would you choose another small hatch instead?

LIKE this comment if you'd choose the MINI, or COMMENT with what you'd go for instead!

[adithyapradeep]

Mini: Makes space for storing bottles
Matt : Uses it as a community water hole 😂😂

[myles]

You've successfully talked me out of wanting one, I'll still get one.

[mbSteak]

The "overstyled" spoiler is actually a feature, because without the drop in the middle it would collide with the radio antenna when the boot is open

[BenedekAtanyi]

No-one, literally no-one:
Mathew Watson: *fills cup holder with water*

[alfonsoamarc]

I bougth recently a Mini Cooper 5 doors from 2017 and I must admit that I am surprised with how good it drives. I have never driven before a car that is so much fun. There are some points that are compromised but in general I think the experience you get is it muth worth it and this you can't find it in most of the small cars.

[ondrej]

petition for adding *exhaust* sound check in these car review videos!

[mukeshvijayvergia]

The MiNi' headlights have dark circles not only under but also around it. It surely needs some sleep 😂😂

[sterlingarcher]

Pouring water into that holder gave me serious anxiety

[jacobaitchison]

1. Turn stability control off
2.Launch it
3.Brakes Hard
4. Car is unstable because the control is off
5. Matt: 😮

[kaiosg]

i love how mat freaks out on doing the 1/4 mile as if a distance will be longer in a slow car

[giannisgoritsas]

I'm not sure about the mini 5-door or the countryman but for sure I still love the 3-door mini!

[autonewstv]

This is the kind of content I signed up for 😍

[WaveManMike]

The Mini Cooper is arguably the least ugly of all the smaller sized squished car.
I can even see how some people may think it’s beautiful.

[suprAVATARtlafAN]

I love Minis! There’s something classic about them but also modern, like a old car in the exterior but a race car in the interior IMO. Of course depends on which model you have. It will definitely be my first car (not this model specifically).

[lewismc]

genuinely don’t care at this point I just think this thing looks fckn cool 🤣🤣 in a darker colour with all the trim blacked out? Sorted. It certainly beats some of the dull slabs of metal that are plastered all over the roads currently.

[joesomerville]

I feel there wasn’t enough fury that there is a button for ambient lighting but not the blimmin sun roof! Cracking review as always Mat.

[jassimfarookh]

I love the mini's interior design

[damocles]

finally ive waiting for actually was hoping for the 3 door ver but this’ll do!

[latlak]

I love the Mini! I don't find it girly, because you can make it look quiet mean with that piano black exterieur. I love the looks even more with the LCI2. It drives like a charm, it's so compact and nimble, really enjoyable. I just wish there was a 5 door JCW, that's so sad!