2025 MINI Cooper 5-door enhances the existing combination with classic touches

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Following a formula or recipe is crucial for producing the product correctly. A Miata is a Miata because they follow the same formula, over and over, as closely as possible with regulation and consumer demands in mind. MINI wouldn’t be MINI in the same way if all their cars were bloated to mid-sized portions. The name alone signifies size is part of the image. They haven’t let us down with the new 5-door, it’s the same as what we got last year.

Coming in at 13.2 feet long, 5.7 feet wide, and 4.8 feet high, it proves MINI hasn’t forgotten the recipe for what a ‘small car’ requires. Funny enough, reading through the press release, size is the first thing the marketing team introduces with the 5-door release. The “Charismatic Simplicity” of the new MINI is shown in the size and proves MINI is working hard to stick to its traditional roots but adding some new technology and style.

On the exterior, we’ve got short overhangs, a small hood, axles pushed as far out as possible for a long wheelbase, and larger wheels—far bigger than the original MINI. We still get round headlights and an octagonal front grill. The headlights are LED with individually adjustable daytime running lights in three versions for customizability. In the back, the vertically aligned LED clusters give a sense they’re trying to stick to a classic MINI design, and like the headlights, they too can be set to different lighting settings.

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Four trims are available for the 5-door and in eleven colors, three for the roof. The Essential trim is standard, Classic trim will unlock white or black roofs, Favoured trim has “Vibrant Silver” trim elements, and finally, the JCW (John Cooper Works) adds front and rear diffusers with a Chili Red roof. Bigger wheels are sported as well with 16” or 18” sizes available.

Minimal is the game on the inside. We still get a massive OLED center display and gauge cluster, made famous years ago by Alec Issigonis. It has been shoved slightly toward the driver, making it easier to reach with MINI Operating System 9. A head-up display is optional to give you all the info you need without forcing your eyes to the center of the cabin. You even get Experience Modes to change the lighting and atmosphere of the interior.

Under the hood, you’re treated to two different gasoline engines. You can opt for the entry-level three-cylinder with 156 horsepower or go big with the MINI Cooper S and it’s 204 horsepower four-cylinder. The latter of which goes from 0-60 in 6.8 seconds or for entry-level at 8.0 seconds. Nothing is to be said for transmission options, which is the best way to say they don’t offer a manual any longer.

– M. T. Blake

(IG @_mtblake)

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