New 2025 MINI John Cooper Works Review

Is the new MINI John Cooper Works a true MINI like before?

Exterior – Front

So, lets start with the styling then and what I do want to start with is that everything is different apart from the doors and roof and the structure of the car. this means we get a whole new front end but this time it retains the clam shell bonnet and the headlight surrounds. The headlights are new but suit a MINI much better. The grill is different than before and on this John Cooper Works model looks aggressive and properly like a MINI. We also get side vents too like the older MINI. Unfortunately, though we don’t get a bonnet scoop like before, but I think we can live without that. Overall though it does look like a MINI.

Exterior – Side

Moving round to the side and the overall design is like the previous generation MINI. To start with we get the gloss black plastic on the wheel arches and lower sill, but this is matt black on the lower trim levels. We also get some proper door handles which I prefer but we do get some new door mirrors which house the indicators. The wheel designs are also good but still unshakingly MINI.

Exterior – Rear

Moving round to the back and this is where I’m not sure of the design. Now, I don’t mind it but it doesn’t feel like a true MINI and the older design did work better. Just look at the convertible version for example. It has the old layout on the new generation MINI, and it just works. We get these triangle style taillights that don’t really work on a MINI and these are connected with a black bar with the Cooper lettering on it. I do think having the older design which MINI has had since the classic MINI would have looked much more modern and less Chinese looking. The bumper design though is ok, but I don’t like the centrally mounted single exhaust. Now you may think that this just has one exhaust but there is another one hidden underneath the car for emissions reasons and because this old engine had 2 before. now just show the 2 exhausts it would of looked much better and classical too. overall then its not too bad. Lets have a look and see what engine and gearbox options you can have with the new MINI John Cooper Works.

Car and engine specs and price

So, the engine lineup consists of 3 models. Let’s start with the first one. This is called C, and this uses a 1.5 litre turbo unit producing 154 bhp and this power is sent through a 7-speed automatic gearbox powering the front wheels. This can do 0-62 in 7.7 seconds which is quite good for a base model and will be the most popular option. The next version is called the S and this uses a 2-litre turbo unit producing 201 bhp and this can do 0-62 in 6.6 seconds and again the power is sent to the front wheels through a 7 speed Automatic Gearbox. The final version is the one we have here which is the John Cooper Work Version, and this uses the same 2.0 turbo engine as the S but the power has increased to 228 bhp. This reduces the 0-62 time down to 6.1 seconds, but the power is still sent through the same 7 speed automatic gearbox to the front wheels. Unfortunately, there isn’t an option of a manual anymore which is a big shame especially on the John Cooper Works Model. The price of the new MINI Cooper starts at £25,265. Right, lets have a look at the interior.

Interior – Design

So, climbing inside the new MINI Cooper and we get an all-new interior. To start with it is low down and vey minimalistic and open just like the Classic MINI. We also get some bright colours which we haven’t seen before on a MINI. To start with we get this big central 9.4-inch OLED circle screen which runs the latest BMW iDrive OS9. This means MINI owners can finally have Android Auto. Now this screen houses your instrument cluster too just like a Tesla and I am ok with that as older MINIs did have this design. This infotainment system can be a bit laggy at times and a bit confusing to use but once you have it set up it does work quite well. You also get an assistant called Spike which is a little dog. Sadly, the climate controls are on the screen and are a bit fiddly to use. Moving down and we get a row of 5 toggles. These are your volume control, driving modes, of which there are 8 of them. Next to this you have your fake key, which is your start stop, next to that is your gear selector and next to that is your park button. Just below this you also have a few essential buttons too. The centre console is very minimalistic and open and is quite practical. You do get a wireless charger too. In front of the driver, I would recommend opting for the heads-up display so you can have the speed in front of you still. The steering wheel is all new and very minimalistic which I do quite like. What I am not sure of thought are these mis matched indicator stalks which for me does look a bit silly. It’s a bit like one company designed one whilst another designed the other one. Finally, we get these comfy seats which are supportive but a bit plain looking. Sadly, there isn’t as much customisation as before either. Right, let’s have a look in the back.

Practicality

So, climbing into the back and surprise surprise the legroom and headroom isn’t the best. I mean I am 6 foot 2 and I could just about do a short journey, but it wouldn’t be pleasant. There isn’t much storage either and there is quite a lot of plastics in the back. Really the 5 doors would be the better option if you want a small MINI that is practical. Right, lets have a look and see what the boot is like.

Boot Size

So, opening the boot to the new MINI John Cooper Works and you don’t expect a big amount of space as it is a small car. well on this model you actually get a smaller boot than the previous generation model. Specifically, 1 litre less at 210 litres. It is still useable though for your weekly shop. Just not a family road trip. If you fold the seats down though then this does increase to 725 litres which is somehow 6 litres less than before, but we will look past that.

Summary

So, in summary then what do I think of the new Petrol MINI Cooper. Well, it is definitely better than the electric version with its more classical styling technique but using the latest technology and design. I do wish the rear end design was slightly better though, and I wish it had a manual version but apart from that it is still a MINI and it is still relevant today and for the price it isn’t too bad either.

Exterior 4/5

Interior 4/5

Practicality 2/5

Total 10/15

Model	MINI John Cooper Works
Engine	2.0l Turbo Petrol, 228bhp, 0-62 = 6.1 Seconds, Front Wheel Drive
Transmission	7 Speed Automatic
Price	£33,265
On Sale	Now