Feann Torr•19 Jul 2021

REVIEW

MINI Cooper 2021 Review

Name: MINI Cooper 2021 Review
Brand: MINI

It’s double the price of mainstream European city cars, but the latest MINI still has lots of appeal

Model Tested

MINI Cooper Classic Plus 3-Door Hatch

Review Type

Local Launch

Review Location

Melbourne, VIC

The MINI Cooper has always been an entertaining car to drive, but its signature design inside and out is what really sets it apart from its rivals. For this latest update, the MINI range builds on both these areas, updating the exterior visuals and adding twin digital screens and a wireless phone charger standard on all models. Starting at $37,500, prices have gone up slightly for the British compact car, but it’s still a tempting proposition.

MINI car, maxi price

It’s update time again for the 2021 MINI Cooper hatch, and while there are no mechanical changes, such as engine or suspension tweaks, a fresh new look front and rear and improved equipment levels should rekindle interest in the iconic compact car.

While prices have risen by almost $1000 on some models, now pegged between $37,500 and $62,825 (plus on-road costs), all models are fitted as standard with alloy wheels and new LED headlights with auto-dipping high beams. Check out our story on the latest pricing and equipment details here.

The whole shebang can be customised with contrasting roof colours and bonnet stripes at no extra cost, and LED tail-lights with a British flag emblem are now standard on all models.

Purists will be stoked that a manual gearbox can be had as a no-cost option as well.

Other significant additions to the new MINI hatch range include an 8.8-inch central touch-screen as standard across the range (up from 6.5-inch), along with wireless Apple CarPlay and a new 5.5-inch digital instrument cluster replacing traditional dials.

The latest update for the MINI spans three-door and five-door hatch models plus convertible body styles, for a whopping 26 variants, and the vehicle we’re testing here is the mid-spec 2021 MINI Cooper Classic Plus in three-door guise.

It costs $41,000 plus on-road costs, which isn’t cheap, but compared to the base-grade MINI Classic the extra $3500 for this ‘Plus’ model adds an impressive level of kit.

For example, there’s a twin-pane panoramic sliding glass sunroof, bigger 17-inch alloy wheels, a pumping Harman Kardon stereo system, and contoured and heated leatherette sports seats.

The front seats are snug and a bit narrow, even for a skinny bloke like me. So if you’ve stacked on a few kilos during lockdown, you may want to sit before you commit.

But I love the overall interior theme. The quirky toggle-style switchgear, the spherical design scheme, the interactive LED halo – it’s all rather charming and unlike any other car on the market.

Everything about the car feels solid and well-built too, from the way the doors thud shut to the robust air vents and high-quality materials used throughout. There’s a genuine premium car vibe going on here.

Rear seat legroom is tight and there’s not much amenity apart from three cup holders (which is weird considering there’s only two seats back there). But the back seats are nicely contoured and surprisingly comfy for those who can fit.

Boot space is tiny at 211 litres, expanding to a more useable 731L when you fold the rear seats down. There’s no spare tyre, which allows for a handy hidden compartment in the boot. Like most modern-day MINIs, the latest Cooper uses run-flat tyres that can still be driven on at slower speeds for short distances in the event of a puncture.

Ownership costs are typical for a European car, with a below-average three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Capped-price servicing is there if you want to pay up front, costing $1595 for this model, covering five years or 80,000km.

That’s the basic plan. There’s also a Plus plan, which includes things like replacement brake pads and wiper blades but jacks up the price to $4155 over five years.

Newer tech, but showing its age

Tech levels in the updated 2021 MINI Cooper are pretty good now, with wireless Apple CarPlay looking spick and span on the big 8.8-inch touch-screen, and is more intuitive than the native menu system in the car.

A snap-locking wireless phone charger is now standard across the range as well, which is a nice bonus. It’s hidden underneath the central arm rest and holds the phone firmly … unless you have a jumbo smartphone, phablet or a chunky phone case.

There’s no Android Auto compatibility either – wired or wireless – which is a real letdown.

The 5.5-inch virtual cockpit is pretty cool with high-resolution graphics, but it doesn’t have any customisability, which feels like an opportunity missed.

There’s a handful of driving aids fitted to all models, including a very good adaptive cruise control system with stop/go (traffic jam) functionality, plus autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, park distance control (front and rear) and a reversing camera.

But on the regular Cooper there’s no active lane keep assist, no cyclist detection or other more advanced functionality for AEB, and no auto-hold park-braking function. The latter is a bit weird given there’s an electric push-button park brake.

The 2021 MINI Cooper retains a four-star safety rating from way back in 2014, when the third-generation BMW-developed MINI hatch was released – and when ANCAP testing standards were much less stringent than they are today.

At the time, the independent crash test authority found “driver chest and abdomen protection in the side impact test was marginal”, which is partly why the car failed to secure a maximum five-star result.

Small engine, big character

While it’s not completely wild like the MINI GP, offering only an 8.2-second 0-100km/h sprint, the 2021 MINI Cooper three-door hatch has more character than a late-19th century bottle of port.

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine generates a remarkably growly exhaust note that makes you grin every time you floor the throttle.

It doesn’t generate crazy levels of power or torque, 100kW and 220Nm, but winding out of a couple of gears is always entertaining.

Despite its gravelly, almost lumpy exhaust acoustic, the engine revs smoothly and eagerly to redline and the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is a great match for the little triple.

There’s no steering wheel paddle shifters for rapid strikes but you can use the central shifter to force manual override shifting.

If you find a stretch of road that allows it – unlikely in Australia – top speed is rated at just over 200km/h.

Fuel economy is claimed to be 5.6L/100km, and while we recorded 6.8L/100km on test, the driving involved more right-foot flexing than a boot scootin’ showdown in Tamworth.

Simply put, the engine is pretty frugal and it wouldn’t be too hard to achieve a figure close to the claim with a bit of self-control.

Dynamic driving experience

What you never need experience in a 2021 MINI Cooper hatch is a boring drive.

Even navigating a freeway on-ramp or a roundabout, the MINI does a great job engaging the driver, and the direct, well-weighted steering set-up plays a big role here.

Indeed, you don’t need to turn the wheel much to get the car to boogie.

No changes have been made to the suspension for the MINI’s latest update, but it’s still a relatively sporty set-up, ensuring the little runabout is a certified dynamo on curving roads.

It tracks through corners with far more competency than most hatchbacks of this size, and even the brakes deliver strong decelerative performance, which gives you confidence to keep having fun.

Poised, balanced and tenacious, the MINI Cooper is a satisfying car to zip around in.

For the most part, ride comfort is good but the run-flat tyres and firm suspension do conspire against the vehicle over shoddy surfaces and poorly maintained roads, transmitting bumps and bounces through the car’s body and ultimately to occupants.

Still standing out

There are elements of the 2021 MINI Cooper package that reflect its age and the BMW Group’s apparent reluctance to bring it further up to date at this point in the model lifecycle, including some shortfalls in driver assist tech at the entry level and a lack of Android Auto connectivity.

But other aspects still feel rock solid, like the engine and chassis, making the driving experience more compelling than most compact cars.

The interior get-up is likewise a highlight and together helps overshadow some of the above issues.

But price? You can, of course, buy European city cars such as the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia for half the amount asked by MINI for the Cooper Classic, or a bigger German-developed Ford Focus starting from less than $23K. There’s also Fiat’s Abarth 595 in the mix from $26,990.

Overall, the latest MINI update brings just enough novelty to the exterior, the interior and equipment levels to ensure this indulgent city runabout is still an appealing proposition – especially for those who want something a bit special that stands out from the crowd.

How much does the 2021 MINI Cooper Classic Plus 3-Door cost?
Price: $41,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 100kW/220Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 128g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Four-star (ANCAP 2014)