2019 MINI Hardtop 4 Door Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　

What's new

New trim structure includes Classic, Signature and IconicUpdated infotainment interface with Apple CarPlay availabilityPart of the third Hardtop generation introduced in 2014

　　Minis are cars of passion. They're small and quirky, and generally expensive for their respective segment. But buyers love the traits that the British brand is known for: the unmistakable styling, exterior and interior customizability, and sporty driving dynamics. But with two more doors than the traditional Mini, does the 2019 Mini Cooper Hardtop 4 Door still check all the boxes?

　　Certainly, the performance is there. Just as on the two-door, the four-door version comes with either a 134-horsepower three-cylinder engine or a 189-hp four-cylinder engine. These aren't eye-popping specs, but in a little car like the Hardtop, they're good for energetic acceleration. The Hardtop 4 Door has the nimble handling you want out of a Mini, too.

　　But while the rear seats on the two-door Cooper are mainly for emergencies or luggage, the longer four-door model has actual rear legroom. Fold the rear seats down, and the cargo area can hold up to 40.7 cubic feet of stuff. For a Mini, that's nearly palatial. The two extra doors add a little bit of length, but in our testing we found that the 4 Door was more stable when cruising at highway speeds than the 2 Door.

　　So does the 2019 Hardtop 4 Door check all the boxes? We think so, and the extra doors mean you'll be able to carry even more boxes than before.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.8 / 10

　　The four-door Mini Cooper adds some much needed space and convenience to the personable and fun-to-drive Mini Cooper lineup. It's just as entertaining to drive as the traditional two-door model, yet additional rear passenger room and cargo space add a lot of everyday functionality.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | FWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2015, the current Hardtop has received some revisions, such as new optional equipment sprinkled throughout the model run and a refreshed infotainment system in 2019. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Hardtop 4 Door, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.8 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	7.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	7.0

　　

Driving

8.5

　　We simply can't find a downside to having two more doors on a Mini Cooper. If anything, the longer wheelbase makes the steering less fidgety and improves the ride quality. The Cooper S engine not only makes more power than the base three-cylinder, but it's smoother and more refined.

　　

Acceleration

9.0

　　The Cooper S reached 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which is about equal to the VW GTI and slightly quicker than the Ford Focus ST. The optional six-speed automatic shifts quickly and smoothly, and there's no sign of turbo lag or torque steer.

　　

Braking

8.0

　　It took 116 feet to stop from 60 mph during our panic-braking test, about average for the class. It remained composed and controllable, although the pedal got soft after heavy use. It was less lurchy coming to a stop than the base car, too.

　　

Steering

8.5

　　The steering feel and effort are excellent, with good precision and responsiveness. The larger four-door footprint keeps it from being as busy or sensitive as the two-door Cooper. It's a win-win.

　　

Handling

8.5

　　Right out of the gate, the Cooper S gains your trust with its tenacious grip. This quality encourages spirited driving, making it fun to explore the car's potential. Midcorner bumps are barely felt; the car just keeps delivering thrills.

　　

Drivability

8.0

　　The Cooper S has smooth power delivery, without the inelegant lurches we noticed in the base car. It's as adept at the daily commute as it is on a twisty road. The automatic stop-start system is unrefined, but it can be turned off easily.

　　

Comfort

7.0

　　The four-door's longer wheelbase greatly benefits ride comfort, and it feels much more settled than the base-level two-door version. Avoiding the larger, optional wheels and run-flat tires will further improve the ride quality.

　　

Seat comfort

7.0

　　Average-size drivers should find the optional sport seats comfortable and supportive, but wider-bodied passengers will probably feel a bit confined. Cushioning is just generous enough, and the seats are contoured well for long road trips.

　　

Ride comfort

7.0

　　The Cooper S has a slightly stiffer ride than the base model, but this is expected due to its sporty intentions. The ride still avoids being overly harsh, and drivers seeking a softer ride should steer clear of the larger wheels and run-flat tires.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.0

　　The turbo four-cylinder sounds good from idle to redline without being annoying. This is in contrast to the rather rattly base engine. Road noise is present but not intrusive on the highway. The same holds true for wind noise.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　For those who may have considered a Mini Cooper in the past but needed more space, this new four-door addresses those issues without any meaningful drawbacks. Unfortunately, these improvements aren't enough to overcome its interior deficiencies compared to most rivals.

　　

Ease of use

6.0

　　The primary controls, gauges and screens are well-placed and easy to read. The low-mounted infotainment controller is difficult to reach, especially with the center armrest obstructing access. It's too bad because the system itself works well.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　The added rear doors pay dividends since those extra passengers no longer have to crawl past a narrow opening to their seats. The front and rear doors are short in length and tall in height, making access in tight spots that much easier.

　　

Roominess

7.0

　　There's good headroom up front, even for taller occupants, though the seats are on the narrow side. The rear seats are much roomier than in the two-door, with plenty of headroom and adequate legroom.

　　

Visibility

9.0

　　An upright windshield, tall windows and narrow pillars afford a nearly unobstructed outward view. It's so good that you'll rarely wish you had sprung for the optional rearview camera or parking sensors when backing into a tight spot.

　　

Quality

7.0

　　Compared to most competitors, the Mini Cooper uses better interior materials and has a more substantial look and feel. Overall, the cabin gives a favorable impression. Even the cool toggle switches have a satisfying heft.

　　

Utility

7.0

　　Cargo capacity still trails that of rivals, but the four-door's advantage over the two-door is significant. The trunk holds 13.1 cubic feet (versus 8.7 cubes), and a handy load floor doubles as a covered bin. You'll find plenty of interior bins, but they're all rather small.

　　

Technology

　　The newest version of Mini's user interface is attractive but seems to be a bit more cumbersome than in previous iterations. But the maps are less cluttered than before. Voice controls work well, with natural voice commands. Many advanced safety features are available.

　　

Which Hardtop 4 Door does zzdcar recommend?

　　Thanks to Mini's tempting options and customization menu, pricing can get out of hand quickly. That's why we say start with the Cooper Hardtop 4 Door in Signature trim and its three-cylinder turbocharged engine, heated seats, keyless entry and panoramic roof. If you crave a dynamic experience, then opt for an S in Signature trim, and add the dynamic damper control option and the John Cooper Works appearance package to satisfy your hunger, for a price.

　　

2019 MINI Hardtop 4 Door models

　　The 2019 Mini Cooper Hardtop 4 Door is a subcompact hatchback available with two engines and three trims. The Cooper is powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (134 horsepower, 162 pound-feet of torque), and the Cooper S has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (189 hp, 207 lb-ft). Mini doesn't offer the John Cooper Works trim for the 4 Door.

　　Both engines drive the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. After selecting the powertrain, you can decide on one of three trims, Classic, Signature, or Iconic, that add an increasing number of features and options. From there, you can add numerous style, function, and performance upgrades to personalize and improve your Mini.

　　Cooper Classic models come standard with 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, height-adjustable front seats, simulated leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and ambient interior lighting. Technology highlights include cruise control, rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone app integration, a 6.5-inch central display, and a six-speaker sound system with a USB port. The Cooper S Classic is similar but has 16-inch wheels, heated front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and checkered dash trim.

　　Cooper Signature models add on to the Classic with 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control and heated front seats. Mini's Active Driving Assistant suite of safety features — forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam control — is also included on Cooper S Signature. The Signature trim also opens up a raft of interior and exterior options. The Signature's Premium package, for instance, adds LED headlights, upgraded mirrors and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

　　Both Cooper and Cooper S Iconic trims upgrade to 18-inch wheels and incorporate the elements of the Premium package as standard. At this level, leather upholstery, a larger 8.8-inch display, a navigation system and Apple CarPlay connectivity come standard. You also get access to the full range of wheel designs, interior materials and patterns, and exterior trim and materials.

　　

2019 Hardtop 4 Door Highlights

Trim: CooperCooper SCooper

　　

Base MSRP	$22,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	31 MPG
Cost to Drive	$147/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles