In an automotive market where size and girth matter most, the 2025 Mini Cooper remains the contrarian, a small gem that looms large when it comes to driving fun, fuel economy and unabashed style. It’s a design icon, one feted last week at the ninth Mini Takes The States, or MTTS for short.

The biennial trek, open to Mini owners, originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Drivers then headed north through Durango and Grand Junction, Colorado, then on to Salt Lake City, Bozeman and Missoula, Montana, and Spokane and Yakima, Washington, before ending in Seattle nine days later. Partaking in the 1,600-mile-plus rally were more than 900 Minis and 1,921 enthusiasts coming from as far away as Australia. For those who say America is a bitterly divided, partisan nation, they’ve never run MTTS. It’s one big happy family, albeit one with a small car fixation.

Mini does more than organize the route and morning send-offs. Owners get a free pre-rally car inspection from their dealer. Mini also provides rolling maintenance crews during the rally, fixing aging Minis should something go wrong. One motorist, whose aging Mini suffered from engine failure, had their car’s powerplant replaced free of charge. While it was receiving its heart transplant, a new 2025 Mini Countryman was supplied so the driver lost no time.

It’s all done for the love of the Mini Cooper, which benefits from an extensive nip and tuck for 2025. Initially offered in sporty S trim, it will be followed by the base model and four-door Hardtop.

For 2025, designers simplified the Mini Cooper Hardtop’s front fascia. Out back, the latest model is distinguished by new triangular taillights that are visually joined by a horizontal trim strip. Its endearing demeanor remains intact, looking especially fetching in bright colors

Bigger changes await inside, where designers looked to the first 1959 Mini for inspiration. That model sported a center-mounted speedometer and a row of toggle switches beneath it and little else. Fast forward six-plus decades, and you’ll find a large center-mounted touchscreen and a small row of controls beneath it. Beside it is a flush-mounted strap, originally designed to be functional but nixed by government safety bureaucrats.

The simplification is welcome, as it allows designers to furnish the cabin in a range of textiles that’s modern and comforting. Some may object to the lack of gauges in front of the driver, as the speedo is atop the touchscreen. To compensate, Mini provides a head-up display in front of the driver. It’s far from objectionable, and the touchscreen proves easy to use once you're accustomed to where everything is located — although the climate controls are too small and fiddly to use.

The cabin feels more spacious this year, even though the Mini Cooper is marginally smaller. Front seat space is very good; the back seat is marginal at best. Cargo room is a mere 9 cubic feet, but it is large enough to fit two 19-inch carry-on suitcases. Folding the rear seats expands trunk space to a far more spacious 34 cubic feet.

Our Cooper’s $37,295 (as tested) price came with 18-inch wheels with summer tires, a dual-pane sunroof, Harman/Kardon audio system, wireless smartphone charging pad, dual-automatic climate control, and heated front seats and steering wheel.

More importantly, Cooper powerplants gain an extra cylinder for the new model year. Gone is the three-cylinder mill, replaced by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four banger. Rated at 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, it mates to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is not offered. Neither is a manual gearbox. The automatic transmission is shifted through a toggle switch on the dashboard. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters are not offered. As there’s no traditional gear shifter, there’s no way to manually shift. For a car that touts its performance, this is a mystifying oversight that needs to be rectified.

Mini states the 2025 Cooper S runs 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, but it feels faster. Once the turbo wakes up, the Cooper pulls like a bulldog possessed, as its agile chassis, sharp steering and strong, progressive braking make this little nugget a joy to toss around on your favorite mountain road or zip through clogged traffic. Yet the most noticeable change comes from the Cooper’s newfound refinement. Cruising at highway speeds is positively idyllic, with little-to-no wind, road or tire noise. It’s amazingly quiet. Similarly, the vibration once inescapable with the three-cylinder engine has been banished now that there are four cylinders.

All this power comes with impressive fuel economy. The EPA states that the Cooper S returns 32 mpg in mixed city/highway driving, although a 400-plus mile drive returned nearly 35 mpg. Thank goodness for that, as the Mini drinks premium fuel.

The 2025 Mini Cooper S retains the charm and athleticism that has made it popular since its reintroduction in 2002. That it has lost none of its beguiling personality or cult following proves its allure. In fact, of those participating in this year’s MTTS, nearly half were driving the event for the first time.

So, when you buy yours, you’ll know where to break it in.

2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop

Base price: $34,600

Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder

Horsepower/Torque: 201/221 pound-feet

EPA rating (combined city/highway): 32 mpg

Fuel required: 93 Octane

Length/Width/Height: 153/69/56 inches

Ground clearance: 5.1 inches

Payload: 778 pounds

Cargo capacity: 9-34 cubic feet

Max roof load: 165 pounds

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