The 2022 Mini Cooper S is available in three trim levels along with a special trim known as the Oxford Edition that is an add-on to the Classic trim level. The base trim itself has a decent feature list consisting of 17-inch wheels, heated seats, panoramic sunroof, 6.5-inch infotainment screen, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, and so on. Changes for the 2022 model year include restyled bumpers and exterior styling elements. The car also adds a small number of features for the 2022 model year.

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There is a lot of choices offered in terms of trims alone because there are three trims on offer. Out of these, however, we would pick the Signature trim that goes for about $29,900. It is not very expensive over the base trim but comes with a lot of nice features like automatic headlights, fog lights, and satellite radio. If we were to pick the optional packages, we would add the Premium Package which comes with a Harman Kardon sound system, auto-dimming mirrors, and so on. Overall, it is a very well-equipped car and has a lot of features that feel very upmarket.

2022 Mini Hardtop 2 Door Cooper S Release date

In terms of the release date, there has not been much information from the brand. We are expecting that the 2022 model of the Mini Cooper will reach showrooms by the end of this year. Deliveries are also expected to start by then. The manufacturer has unveiled all of its cars and also provided press cars for the tests. However, in the absence of a clear confirmation as to when deliveries are about to start, one can only hope for cars by the end of this year.

The 2022 Mini Cooper S comes with a very peppy 2.0 L twin-turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine that produces 189 hp & 207 lb-ft of torque. The power figures are excellent and make sure that the car is capable due to its lightweight and agile nature. The transmission by default is a six-speed manual but that is also a seven-speed automatic available on offer. The powertrain is front-wheel-drive only with no other options. Honestly, this is the trademark of the car’s handling and hence we would not have it any other way.

Speaking about outright acceleration, the hatchback does really well, stomps on the pedal and it goes from 0 to 60 in just 6.5 seconds and goes on to complete the quarter-mile in 15.1 seconds. Even though these are not the highest numbers we’ve heard, the sensation of speed in the Mini is something else and one definitely feels entertained. It is also excellent in terms of handling and feels nimble which is very much in contrast to its competition. Mini has given the suspension to cater well for enthusiastic driving and hence it could be a little harsh on rough roads.

Considering all its rivals, the Mini is priced much lower than all of them. However, one thing that is surprising is that it is no longer the best-performing car out of the lot. In terms of practicality, the Golf GTI scores a lot of points especially with the current redesign, and is also priced very well. The Mazda and the Hyundai are priced a little heavier but offer that much more performance when compared to the Mini Cooper. One would note that the Veloster is the best performing car in the segment.

Even though the Mini Cooper comes with a 2 L turbocharged engine, that power plant still has to do very little work because of how light the car is. As a result of being under a very minimal amount of stress, it performs very well in terms of fuel efficiency with a combined rating of about 30 MPG. It is amazing for a car that goes like a rocket. However, due to being equipped with a very small fuel tank of just 11.6 gallons, it suffers a bit in terms of range but the fuel efficiency makes up for it. Even the city fuel efficiency is excellent compared to the competition at 26 MPG.

The Mini and Mazda manage to better the fuel efficiency ratings of the other two by a very fair amount. The Volkswagen seems a bit unimpressive when you look at its fuel efficiency figures but the Hyundai can be excused because it produces that much more power. The largest fuel tank comes in the Volkswagen and Hyundai but the mini catches up in terms of its range figures due to its higher fuel efficiency ratings. The Mazda does not match its competitors in terms of real-world range but is quite adequate in terms of fuel efficiency it offers in the city and highway.

The interior of the 2022 Mini Cooper S is quite a sight to look at because of the retro design. It is fun to look at, unlike many of the cars in this category that has modernized while losing their character. The design is very elegant and has a certain restraint to it while still allowing the next the existence of modern as well as retroelements. It is quirky and the ergonomics are excellent but that is a slight deficit of space. The subtle accent lines and badging make it one of the best-looking cabins that one can find. 

The switchgear is made of very high-quality materials but it is very easy to feel claustrophobic in this cabin. The contours on the seats are well thought out and support the body nicely. The visibility outside the cabin is also very nice but one may need to use the panoramic sunroof often to feel that it is scary. The ergonomics of the cabin are also excellent but the lack of space becomes troubling, especially in the back seat. 

The cargo capacity of the Miata is the least and it also offers seating for only two people, unlike all the competitors that offer seating for at least four. However, it is the Hyundai that has the most cargo capacity in the segment and remains the king in terms of practicality. We find that the Volkswagen is also an equally practical car with excellent cargo as well as interior space. As we said, the compromises in practicality come along with the Mini but they are not extremely hard to live with due to the quirks of the car. Let’s see some of the interior highlights:

• Proximity key
• Key Fob trunk/hatch/door release
• Front cupholders
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Panoramic sunroof
• Cloth & leather upholstery
• 8-way power driver's seat with 4-way lumbar support
• Tilt & telescopic multi-function steering wheel

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment systems that have been coming in this segment have been excellent lately. The base infotainment system is an 8.8 touch screen but gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as optional features. The system has graphics that are crisp and vibrant and it is also very intuitive. The sound system was also very basic and would suggest upgrading to the optional Harman Kardon system. Most of the controls are very straightforward to use and remain a pleasure inside the little cabin. The driver information display is also very nice. Some of the standard features of the infotainment system are:

• 6 speakers
• Remote CD compatible
• AM/FM/HD/Satellite-prep with seek-scan
• Steering-wheel mounted audio controls
• MINI Connected smart device integration
• Radio data system
• Speed sensitive volume
• Wireless phone connectivity
• Integrated roof antenna
• Heads-up display

The 2022 Mini Hardtop 2 Door Cooper S is our favorite out of the brand's whole line-up and is a true masterpiece in terms of design. It has funky colors and an equally funky design. It breaks away from the typical hatchback design language that looks a bit dry and instead comes with peppy and retroelements. There are incredible design details in this car that make it stand out and give it a sense of playfulness that is entirely missing in its segment. It is a very unique product and its design is one of the key elements that attract some of its buyers.

The Volkswagen Golf is the heaviest car in the segment but also the biggest. By dimensions, the Golf is the widest, tallest, and the longest vehicle in the group. Despite being sporty, the Veloster is the one that offers the most ground clearance as well as wheelbase. What’s most impressive is that the Mini is still very much tiny and makes for a great car within the city. The Mazda has an extremely tiny wheelbase and remains very nimble due to that. It is also the only car in the segment that has rear-wheel drive. Some of the exterior highlights include:

• 16/17/18-inch Wheels
• Automatic Headlamps
• Bi-function LED Projector Headlamps
• LED DRLs & taillights
• Chrome door handles
• Black window trim
• Chrome exhaust tips
• Rear roofline spoiler

The 2022 Mini Cooper S is no different from the rest of the brand’s portfolio in terms of safety. It has been highly acclaimed by agencies responsible for testing crash safety such as the NHTSA and the IIHS. With its long list of driver assists and features, the car poses as the very safe premium city car/fun hatchback. The base trim has automated emergency braking as standard and offers many other safety features as options. Some standard safety features include:

• Remote activated perimeter/approach lights
• Manual adjustable front head restraints
• Remote keyless entry
• Side-impact bars
• Electronic stability
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Four-wheel ABS brakes
• Occupant sensing airbags
• Traction control
• Front ventilated disc brakes
• 4 ABS channels
• Daytime running lights
• 8 airbags
• Brake assist
• ABS and driveline traction control
• Immobilizer

2022 Mini Hardtop 2 Door Cooper S vs 2022 Hyundai Veloster N

The Hyundai Veloster N is significantly more expensive than the Mini Cooper S. However it has several advantages in terms of practicality that the Mini simply does not have. It is also much better in terms of performance in a way that the Mini cannot simply match it. It has compromised in terms of build quality as well as material quality and is also deprived of the iconic status of the Mini. Overall, if you want a modern classic with lots of street appeal, get the Mini. But for all other aspects, the Hyundai is the clear winner. 

2022 Mini Hardtop 2 Door Cooper S vs 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Convertible

The Mazda is a vehicle that tries to bring you a very different from love fun driving when compared to the Mini. It provides an excellent package that is a miniature of the supercar experience. Arguably, it is the more fun car but it sacrifices practicality even more than the Mini. It is not the most powerful car on paper but in terms of acceleration figures, it manages to come close to the much more powerful Hyundai and has the handling to match.

2022 Mini Hardtop 2 Door Cooper S vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the practical version of the hot hatchback. It also has a very sensitive side to it and is a very value for money car when compared to the Mini. There are very compelling reasons to pick one over the other. One of the only areas where Volkswagen suffers is in terms of fuel efficiency. However, the Mini has all the functional compromises that the GTI makes do without. However, it is a mundane choice and not an iconic vehicle like the Mini.

The 2022 Mini Cooper S is a quirky little car with a lot of strengths and also manages to be one of the cutest cars one can find. It is offered at a cheaper price than rivals but comes with certain functional compromises that owners have to understand before committing to the car. However, if you understand what the car stands for and you still want it, there are no other cars like the Cooper S. It is also one of the most well-built cars that one can find in the market today and has also managed to stay relevant with very frequent updates. Hence we would be very excited about buying it in 2022.