Mini Cooper S, Engine & Handling

Speaking of hauling, you might not think that 163 hp sounds like much to get excited about. But considering the Mini Cooper S' wispy 2513-lb curb weight--some 500 less than the Beetle Turbo S--performance is lively. Going about its business without whine or drama is a Roots-type supercharger that imparts a steady squeeze to the diminutive 1.6L DOHC I-4. The power won't snap your head back, but there's a willingness to scamper whenever you ask it to, regardless of engine speed, thanks to a broad and generous torque curve. Hand in hand with the flexible engine, the six-speed shifter feels substantial with short throws and precise gates. Clutch takeup is progressive and effort moderate. This is an easy car to point and squirt right out of the box.

The Mini makes maximum use of its compact dimensions. Rear seatbacks are split 50/50 for flexibility carrying friends and stuff. There's more useable space back there than you might think.

How the new Mini looks is how it drives: direct and focused. As Executive Editor Matt Stone puts it, "There's cat-quick steering (electrically boosted), close-coupled handling, high grip, and an overall neutral attitude." Hard to believe it's front-drive. Large four-wheel discs with anti-lock, electronic brake-force distribution, and cornering brake control give fantastic response with zero dive and arrow-straight stops. Optional DSC Dynamic Stability Control applies individual brakes and/or cuts power to help prevent a skid.

But the Mini Cooper's ride isn't for everyone. The tight packaging precludes carrying a spare tire, so the car is equipped with run-flats. Combined with the direct, short-travel suspension, the stiff sidewalls of the run-flat tires produce a somewhat jouncy ride with harshness over sections of rough road. This is exaggerated with the optional 17-in. wheels, so buyers concerned about ride quality may want to stick with the more-than-adequate 16-inchers.