Thorough update to the 2015 car and a strong move upmarket. The mooted electric MINI looks nearly indistinguishable from its conventional counterpart but is on a unique platform.

After 10 long years in its previous form, MINI has elected to release an updated model for 2025. Built on the same wheelbase as the car that debuted for 2015 in Canada, the car is just a significant update, rather than a new car. The front end of the car is comprehensively revised, as is the rear, which echoes some of themes explored by Fiat. The main centre carcass of the car looks little altered. The three-door and five-door models have been unveiled but a convertible is likely to follow.

The cabin looks completely new and very fresh. The dashboard has a very low profile and is covered in cloth; a very French flourish. There is no gauge package facing the driver, with all of the action centred on a large, Frisbee-like, free-standing clip-on screen which, in photos, looks to have outstanding visual clarity. A vestigial consolette is attached to the dash beneath the screen and has a few buttons on it for starting and to trigger some screen functions. The rest of the cabin is very Zen, with all you need and in a style that is very spare but far from plain. Cabin materials look lavish, which is fitting for what has become a very expensive car. With unchanged fixed points, cabin and cargo space will be similar to the 2024 model. Space is generous up front but rear seat legroom and cargo space are still tight.

The sole engine as of early 2025 was a 2L turbo four in three states of tune. The Cooper is rated at 161 horsepower, the Cooper S cranks out 201 horsepower and the John Cooper Works notes a power output of 228. Power reaches the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission.

The 2L turbo four Cooper three-door starts at just under $36,000, the Cooper S is priced at $39,990 with the John Cooper Works priced as a lofty $51,990. The five-door body style commands a $1000 premium over the three door. Freight-PDI, at $2995, has become a “lifestyle” feature rather than a reflection of shipping costs.

There is no direct information available from BMW Canada regarding active safety content. MINI Canada notes a convertible variant of the updated MINI will become available but there is no information available on the announced full-electric MINI.

Not rated as too little information is available on the new generation. Below average reliability is likely. Short, four years 80,000 kilometer powertrain warranty.