2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door John Cooper Works Classic

2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Review

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Considering how much time we spend in our cars, doesn't it make sense to choose a vehicle that makes us happy? If you're looking to add some fun and personality to your commute, we suggest the 2023 Mini Cooper 2 Door. This spritely little hatchback inherits a lot of the charm of the original Minis from the 1960s, infused with modern engineering and technology from parent company BMW.

　　Coming off a styling refresh last year, the Mini Cooper 2 Door returns with only minor changes, including a new Resolute Edition that only brings some color palette revisions. There are also some feature content changes that may evolve over the year as supply chain issues persist. You can count on the Mini Cooper to continue to offer its unique blend of playfulness and performance.

　　The Mini Cooper 2 Door is showing its age, though, as it was last redesigned nine years ago. In that time, more refined, comfortable and convenient hatchback rivals have come and gone. We suggest checking out newer competitors that include the Mazda 3, Honda Civic and Volkswagen GTI before committing to a new Mini. These fresher alternatives are easier to live with and benefit from newer technology features, but they lack the Mini's personality. Add in its many customization options and the Mini should attract even more extroverts, but keep an eye on how those pricey options affect the bottom line.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

　　How does the Hardtop 2 Door drive? The Mini presents like it might have more style than substance, but in fact the opposite is true in the handling department. It is its own small bundle of fun, even if it is less powerful than almost any of its competitors. Our test Mini Cooper S, equipped with the quick-shifting automatic transmission, scooted from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. That's a full half-second slower than the Volkswagen Golf GTI with its dual-clutch automatic but bests the manually shifted Honda Civic Si.

　　When hauling yourself down from speed, the Cooper S is lacking compared to rivals. It took us 120 feet to stop from 60 mph. The Golf GTI needed just 103 feet and the Civic Si 106 feet. The brake pedal feel is too soft and far from communicative — simply put, the brakes are the Mini's biggest dynamic fault. Its steering and handling, on the other hand, are twitchy and alive and give the Mini a stout handling character that almost reminds us of the Minis of old. Its performance is both easy to access and fun to dig into, and we like that about this generation of Mini.

Comfort

　　How comfortable is the Hardtop 2 Door? Minis have always been known for their harsh ride, and the Hardtop doesn't change that. Even the smallest road imperfections incessantly make their way into the cabin. Our test car produced lots of road and wind noise too. The Mini does claw some comfort points back, however. The front seats are very comfortable and fit a range of body sizes. There's also enough headroom for drivers who are above average height to fit in easily.

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