Mini is a brand that conjures a fun driving experience with Go-Kart-like handling and an expressive interior with gimmicky features. Does the new Mini still offer that and do it at a reasonable price? We compare an older R56 with the latest Mini Cooper S to find some answers. Watch the video!
Whether you’re 50 or 15 years old, the Mini Cooper S embodies the brand’s spirit. Compact front-wheel drive performance cars, with real agility and driver appeal.
Mini has thrived under BMW’s ownership. And because BMW is a car company that prioritises the driving experience, especially for enthusiast drivers, Mini has benefited. Its iconic Cooper S model line, which has always been a great alternative to mainstream hot hatches, has not been compromised by BMW. In fact, it has been elevated.
But like all models, even Mini cars are no longer, well, ‘mini’. They have grown in size and weight. So, what does that mean for the current hot hatch version of this iconic British marque? Have engineers managed to retain the legacy of its super-agile handling and rewarding driving experience?
The best way to know if the latest version is true to its legacy, is to benchmark it against one of the most regarded Mini performance cars, from the late 2000s. For true followers of the brand, the R56 was a true symbol of everything great about modern Minis.
In this video, Ciro De Siena and Jacob Moshokoa team up to test the 2008 version against the 2024 Mini Cooper S. They unpack the performance and practicality as well as what they like and don’t like about both cars.
Watch the video for insight!
