2015 MINI Cooper Coupe Road Test & Review

Feisty, funky, spunky, and sprightly, the 2015 MINI Cooper Coupe is indeed one of a kind. Nothing else looks like it, goes like it, or even approaches its sheer audacity. In essence, a two-seat version of the previous generation MINI Cooper Hardtop, the Cooper Coupe tries to bridge the ground between sports car and hot hatch.

While we’re reluctant to categorize the MINI Cooper Coupe as a full-fledged sports car, the model does benefit tremendously from the inherent agility, quick steering, and peppy engines characteristic of all MINI models. Further, the two-seat configuration actually creates more room for cargo in the boot of the smallest MINI.

Introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of 2011, there has been but one generation of the sporty little auto. By all appearances, this will be the only one, as MINI has announced production of the model and its convertible sibling (the MINI Cooper Roadster) will cease at the end of the 2015 model year.

So, if you’ve always intended to check one out, but never got around to it, this may well be your last chance to have a go at this two-seat MINI.

But is it worth doing so?

Read on…

Models & Pricing

For the 2015 model year, MINI is offering the Cooper Coupe in three trim levels: Base, S, and John Cooper Works (aka JCW).

Starting at $22,000, standard equipment for the MINI Cooper Coupe Base trim includes 15-inch alloy wheels, vinyl upholstery, manually adjustable seats, keyless ignition, cruise control, full power accessories, color adjustable ambient interior lighting, a cooled glovebox, heated mirrors, Bluetooth handsfree telephony and audio streaming, and a speed-sensitive active rear spoiler. Automatic windshield wipers and automatic climate control are newly standard for the 2015 model year.

The $25,300 Cooper S Coupe gets a more powerful engine, 16-inch alloy wheels, run flat tires, foglights, manually adjustable sport seats, and a functioning hood scoop feeding the turbocharged engine’s intercooler.

The top of the line, $31,900 JCW trim package adds items such as an even more powerful engine, a more aggressively tuned suspension system, 17-inch alloy wheels, dynamic traction control, Brembo brakes at the front wheels, and aerodynamic body enhancements.

Most of the items of available optional equipment can be fitted to any of the trim lines; these include xenon headlights, keyless entry, a rear parking sensor array, heated exterior mirrors with a power folding feature, Recaro seats, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a broad array of body graphics and trim pieces.

Photo by Newspress USA

Design

MINI’s first model to eschew the traditional hatchback profile, the MINI Cooper Coupe is a three-box design with a distinct hood, roof, and trunk. Still, its most distinguishing feature is the roof and its integrated rear spoiler. Owing to the slightly domed shape of the roof and the positioning of the spoiler, the roof makes the Cooper Coupe appear to be wearing a backwards baseball cap; marking it as the “bad boy” in the MINI lineup.

So pronounced is MINI’s design language, even with these radical departures from tradition, the Cooper Coupe is still readily identifiable as a MINI product. The tautly drawn parallel lines, athletic stance, and harmonious curvatures defining the body of the car all say MINI loudly and quite clearly. Up front, the bulldog facial expression is maintained with the slightly oversized headlamp clusters juxtaposed against the r hexagonally contoured grille and the rounded front end.

Viewed in profile, the shoulder line rises as it progresses toward the rear of the car, lending it a slight wedge shape. This gives the side view of the Cooper Coupe a more dynamic appearance, owing to the inherent forward thrust of such an arrangement.

The length, width, and wheelbase of the Coupe are almost identical to the Hardtop; the only real difference being the overall height is a full inch less. And yet, it looks smaller than the Cooper Hardtop.

Features & Controls

Inside the car, the appearance of the interior readily marks the Cooper Coupe as a MINI product. The large centrally mounted round instrument pod contains the speedometer, fuel level, coolant temperature, and other pertinent readouts. The tachometer, for models so equipped, resides on the steering column behind the wheel.

Renowned for its eclectic interior treatments, MINI offers perhaps the most distinctive passenger environment of any marque. Below the large speedo pod is a row of aviation-inspired toggle switches for the window lifts, door locks, and other secondary functions.

If you order the optional MINI Connected infotainment system, your attention will be called back to the large round centrally mounted binnacle. Through a dedicated controller on the center console, you’ll access the communications and entertainment systems. The latter including integrated smartphone apps for social media and Internet radio. There’s also an interface for a GoPro camera.

With such a strong emphasis on design, the functionality of the controls isn’t among the best in the business, but if you appreciate the quirky nature of the MINI Cooper Coupe, you’ll perhaps be willing to overlook some of the ergonomic concerns in exchange. And, truth be told, once you’re acclimated, it all becomes second nature.

Comfort & Cargo

The first two-seater in MINI’s lineup, the 2015 MINI Cooper Coupe provides close coupled accommodations for two, and offers a handy storage shelf instead of a back seat for items you may have brought inside the car with you. The two recesses in the roof ensure more than adequate headroom. And indeed, if you look at the Cooper Coupe from outside, you’ll see there is a slight indentation in the center of the roof to accommodate this. Legroom is plentiful as well; six-footers will find there’s more than enough seat travel to provide comfort.

Even though the MINI Cooper Coupe looks like it has a trunk, technically it’s a hatchback, as the rear window rises along with the trunklid. This has the advantage of making the cargo compartment easier to load, as the resulting opening measures some 14 inches in width.

An pass-through in the bulkhead between the cargo compartment and the passenger compartment accommodates carrying longer items by allowing them to extend into the passenger compartment. Measuring eight inches in height, it can be opened from both the driver’s and the passenger’s sides of the car and is useful for a wide variety of commonly carried items.

On is own, the cargo compartment is good for 9.8 cubic feet of capacity.

Safety & Ratings

Standard safety equipment includes ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, cornering brake control, brake assist, and hill start assist. In addition to the airbags in the steering wheel and the dash, the MINI Cooper Coupe also features side protection airbags for the driver and the passenger, mounted in the seats.

Neither NHTSA nor the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety have posted crash test data for the MINI Cooper Coupe. However, we do know of a specific instance where a MINI Cooper crashed into the back of an RV at highway speeds and both occupants walked away from the incident.

Engine(s) & Fuel Economy

Engines vary according to trim level.

The Base model gets a 1.6-liter, normally aspirated four-cylinder engine capable of producing 121 horsepower and 118 ft-lbs of torque. While these numbers sound low, keep in mind the Base MINI Cooper Coupe weighs a mere 2,557 pounds. A six-speed manual transmission feeds the front wheels as standard equipment. A six-speed automatic is offered as an option. Fuel economy with this engine and the manual transmission is rated at 29-mpg in the city, 37 on the highway, and 32-combined. The automatic returns 31-combined, 28-city, and 36 on the highway.

The Cooper S gets a turbocharged version of the 1.6, which is good for 181 horsepower and a maximum of 192 ft-lbs of torque. Front-wheel drive and the same transmission choices apply. Fuel economy with this engine and the manual transmission is rated at 26-city, 35-highway, and 29-combined. The automatic is good for 25-city, 34-highway, and 28-combined.

The John Cooper Works version of the car runs the same engine, albeit with a boost increase for the turbo to generate 208 horsepower and a maximum of 207 ft-lbs of torque. Fuel economy with this engine and the manual transmission is also rated at 26-city, 35-highway, and 29-combined. The automatic is good for 25-city, 34-highway, and 28-combined.

Driving Impressions

If you enjoy driving a car with next to no body roll in the corners, extra sharp turn-in and outstanding adhesion, you’re in for a treat with the MINI Cooper Coupe. Exceptionally nimble, the car seemingly goes where you think. Be apprised though, the people who set up the tightly sprung little Coupe were more concerned with handling than ride, so some sensitive derrieres may consider the Cooper Coupe a bit on the rough side.

This is not to say it’s bone-rattling, teeth jarring uncomfortable, it’s just to let you know the MINI rides more tightly than say a Honda Fit, or a Mazda Mazda3, or even a Mazda Mazda2. Again though, the MINI does provide a measure of ride comfort. However, its sporty nature is always at the forefront.

The engines wind freely, love to rev, and are very willing partners when it comes to spirited driving. This, while also behaving in a perfectly docile fashion around town when you’re simply running errands and the like. Even the highly tuned John Cooper Works version of the engine is easy to drive and willingly putters about when that is all you require of it.

As you move up through the model range into the increasingly more powerful engines, braking and handling also improve commensurately. The aggressive suspension system and Brembo brakes fitted to the John Cooper Works Coupe endow that car with extraordinary responsiveness and reflexes — so yes, it’s our favorite.

With that said, if you like the look and want the best fuel economy, going with the normally aspirated engine will leave you with less performance potential, though you’ll still get a satisfying amount of punch, particularly when you engage the “Sport” button. Doing so also sharpens the electric power steering system’s responsiveness.

Final Thoughts

As we mentioned at the top of this post, this is the last year MINI plans to produce the MINI Copper Coupe, and its Cooper Roadster sibling. The company has shown another two-seat concept car called the MINI Superleggera; a low-slung roadster more akin to a traditional sports car. No word yet on whether the company will produce the car, but it is one very handsome piece of work.

For the time being, if you like the idea of a MINI, and you specifically want a closed two-seat front-drive model with plenty of pep and a lot of style, the 2015 MINI Cooper Coupe is what you’re working with. And frankly, it goes a long way toward being satisfying.

With the sharp handling expected of a car from MINI, exterior styling like nothing else on the road (that isn’t badged MINI), and admirable fuel economy, you’d do well to consider one. You’ll also find tons of optional features to custom tailor the car to your specific preferences.

Of course, the concept of yin and yang is a very real thing. Even with all of those positives, there are some negatives to consider. We’ve already mentioned the Cooper Coupe’s ride quality is anything but Cadillac-smooth. Additionally, one consequence of that low-slung roof is compromised outward visibility. The roof can obstruct views over your shoulders, so you’ll need to be extra careful when merging into traffic. And, if you need to haul lot of stuff around with you on a regular basis – why the heck are you looking at one of these anyway?!?!?

Seriously though; cargo capacity really ain’t this car’s long suit.

Pros & Cons

Willing engines, agile handling, cute as a bulldog, and respectable fuel economy, and lots of opportunity for customization – from MINI’s own parts catalog…

Limited carrying capacity, restricted outward visibility, a less than smooth ride quality, and prefers to run on premium fuel…