MINI Cooper S 2021 review - better than a VW Polo GTI?
video description
Date: 2022-04-11
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 10
Stephen
I have had the Mini Cooper S Sport Island Blue 21plate for 7 weeks now & I-ve loved driving it. Very responsive, great fuel economy, comfortable (for me anyway) & found it fun too drive. It puts a smile on my face whenever I-m driving it, reminds me somewhat of the VW Golf VR6 I had many years ago. It-s probably a bit of a midlife crisis choice, kids are all grown up now so no need for an mpv or suv.
Only down side I found was my last car had Apple Play where as unfortunately the Mini it-s an optional extra. To get that you have to buy the -Comfort Pack-, then if you want SatNav you have to pay for that as it part of (obviously) the -Connected Navigation Pack-. Then there is the -Comfort Plus Pack- also the -Connected Navigation Plus Pack- & not forgetting the -Driving Assistance Pack-. Then the list just keeps carrying on through accessories or kit you can add, visuals, safety features it feels somewhat unlimited stuff you can buy so you get the car you want. But this also comes at a massive Premium & hits your wallet hard.
reply
I have had the Mini Cooper S Sport Island Blue 21plate for 7 weeks now & I-ve loved driving it. Very responsive, great fuel economy, comfortable (for me anyway) & found it fun too drive. It puts a smile on my face whenever I-m driving it, reminds me somewhat of the VW Golf VR6 I had many years ago. It-s probably a bit of a midlife crisis choice, kids are all grown up now so no need for an mpv or suv.
Only down side I found was my last car had Apple Play where as unfortunately the Mini it-s an optional extra. To get that you have to buy the -Comfort Pack-, then if you want SatNav you have to pay for that as it part of (obviously) the -Connected Navigation Pack-. Then there is the -Comfort Plus Pack- also the -Connected Navigation Plus Pack- & not forgetting the -Driving Assistance Pack-. Then the list just keeps carrying on through accessories or kit you can add, visuals, safety features it feels somewhat unlimited stuff you can buy so you get the car you want. But this also comes at a massive Premium & hits your wallet hard.
reply
gabriolinari
i've got a 2020 version and i quite disagree with this review, on the handling for instance mine it's on rails, probably big difference is the JCW package i have (on a standard Cooper) on 17'', etc. and haven't tested a million cars recently but i am very happy with, especially when switching on SPORTS mode where everything is more stiff.
One point i agree with is that the tyres can get noisy, but that depends on the pressure, if you use the insanely high recommended pressures of 2. 8 - 2. 5 or even 3. 0 bar they will be quite noisy, just use something lower and it's much better. Plus it also depends what tyre brand you use. Stock ones can be noisy indeed.
just my 2 cents.
reply
i've got a 2020 version and i quite disagree with this review, on the handling for instance mine it's on rails, probably big difference is the JCW package i have (on a standard Cooper) on 17'', etc. and haven't tested a million cars recently but i am very happy with, especially when switching on SPORTS mode where everything is more stiff.
One point i agree with is that the tyres can get noisy, but that depends on the pressure, if you use the insanely high recommended pressures of 2. 8 - 2. 5 or even 3. 0 bar they will be quite noisy, just use something lower and it's much better. Plus it also depends what tyre brand you use. Stock ones can be noisy indeed.
just my 2 cents.
reply
Bobbie
As an owner of a 2015 five door hatch I need to let everyone know that with the right performance, tire, brake and exhaust upgrades, it-s quite a competent car for spirited mountain drives, and long freeway trips. I replaced a large V-8 sedan with this car and I am still in love. So much I have two other MINIs. The 2022 facelift is a disgrace. Even stock, these cars perform much better than the reviewer believes. Motor on!
reply
As an owner of a 2015 five door hatch I need to let everyone know that with the right performance, tire, brake and exhaust upgrades, it-s quite a competent car for spirited mountain drives, and long freeway trips. I replaced a large V-8 sedan with this car and I am still in love. So much I have two other MINIs. The 2022 facelift is a disgrace. Even stock, these cars perform much better than the reviewer believes. Motor on!
reply
Peter
I have a 2020 5-door Cooper S and the performance from its non-de tuned engine is fine, particularly at main road speeds, where not much can keep up with it. High speed braking is uneventful as well. So I don-t think I will be trading it in for a 2021 with its glare-prone dash. On my last tankful the car did 420. 3 miles on 36. 60 litres which appears to be over 52 mpg and it was not driven with economy in mind.
reply
I have a 2020 5-door Cooper S and the performance from its non-de tuned engine is fine, particularly at main road speeds, where not much can keep up with it. High speed braking is uneventful as well. So I don-t think I will be trading it in for a 2021 with its glare-prone dash. On my last tankful the car did 420. 3 miles on 36. 60 litres which appears to be over 52 mpg and it was not driven with economy in mind.
reply
Andrew
I think that Mini owners love that other people hate them. I-ve owned a 2 door Cooper S and a countryman. Both cars had quirks which anyone else would have got mad with and thrown in the towel. If you can get past this and enjoy the styling, and the feel of the drive, then you-ll be a happy camper. Those that want reliability and functionality need not apply.
reply
I think that Mini owners love that other people hate them. I-ve owned a 2 door Cooper S and a countryman. Both cars had quirks which anyone else would have got mad with and thrown in the towel. If you can get past this and enjoy the styling, and the feel of the drive, then you-ll be a happy camper. Those that want reliability and functionality need not apply.
reply
Jon
This car is WAY to expensive. I-ll take a MK 7. 5 or MK 8 GTI over the MINI any day. Performs better than this MINI and it-s much more practical and it-s not as $$$$. The MINInis cute. 9 out of 10 men surveyed don-t want a -cute- car. Might be fun to drive sure, but so is the GTI. Of these MINI-s were $10, 000 cheaper they would be much more
Competitive-
reply
This car is WAY to expensive. I-ll take a MK 7. 5 or MK 8 GTI over the MINI any day. Performs better than this MINI and it-s much more practical and it-s not as $$$$. The MINInis cute. 9 out of 10 men surveyed don-t want a -cute- car. Might be fun to drive sure, but so is the GTI. Of these MINI-s were $10, 000 cheaper they would be much more
Competitive-
reply
Jane
I have just bought a new mini cooper latest edition, July 2021. It suffers from road and tyre noise - changing the tyres made no difference. My 2013 mini is far quieter. My wife and I found the noise so intolerable that we have sold it back to the main dealer after just a few weeks, replacing it with a 10-month old pre-facelift one which is much quieter.
reply
I have just bought a new mini cooper latest edition, July 2021. It suffers from road and tyre noise - changing the tyres made no difference. My 2013 mini is far quieter. My wife and I found the noise so intolerable that we have sold it back to the main dealer after just a few weeks, replacing it with a 10-month old pre-facelift one which is much quieter.
reply
Bojan
I agree with you. Every new generation of Mini looks worse than one before on the outside and beter on inside. I think that uglynes of Mini is folows the uglnes of BMWs. Thay are more and more design to be liked by chinese. Kich and fakeary. Otherwise funn as hell car. Specialy hate the look of 5 door. It is soo ugly.
reply
I agree with you. Every new generation of Mini looks worse than one before on the outside and beter on inside. I think that uglynes of Mini is folows the uglnes of BMWs. Thay are more and more design to be liked by chinese. Kich and fakeary. Otherwise funn as hell car. Specialy hate the look of 5 door. It is soo ugly.
reply
Alfaman
Just bought myself a 2017 Cooper S 5 door. Mine is all back with JCW bits and it only has 24, 000 miles. I-m delighted with my choice, it-s a hoot to drive. A heck of a lot cheaper than the new one, which is a lot of money and out of my price bracket.
reply
Just bought myself a 2017 Cooper S 5 door. Mine is all back with JCW bits and it only has 24, 000 miles. I-m delighted with my choice, it-s a hoot to drive. A heck of a lot cheaper than the new one, which is a lot of money and out of my price bracket.
reply
1SaG
They should re-think their brand-name. Nothing -Mini- about these current models, is there? Had a current 3-door hatch in front of me yesterday and there was a Mk II Clubman in front of it. The newer car looked positively huge next to the older Clubman.
reply
They should re-think their brand-name. Nothing -Mini- about these current models, is there? Had a current 3-door hatch in front of me yesterday and there was a Mk II Clubman in front of it. The newer car looked positively huge next to the older Clubman.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
18:42
