Is the 2025 MINI Cooper S worth $32,200?

It seems these days that new cars are more expensive than they have ever been. As buyers search for frugal options that offer space, practicality, and solid resale value in exchange for a slightly higher up-front cost, does a $32,200 MINI Cooper really make any sense? 

Comparably priced vehicles offer so much more

It's important to keep in mind that the 2025 MINI Cooper S's $32,200 MSRP is the base price for the model. If you tick enough boxes for optional extras, that price tag can get up to almost $40,000, which is not exactly a drop in the bucket for a sub-compact, two-door hatchback. Are larger new cars really that much more expensive?

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The answer is: no, larger cars are not really that much more expensive. In fact, many are even cheaper. To offer some examples, a 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE starts at $31,900, a 2024 Ford Ranger XL starts at $32,820, and a 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI starts at $31,965. Expect the mildly refreshed, 2025 Volkswagen GTI to start at around $34,000. 

That means for about the same money as the Cooper S, you could instead have a hybrid version of America's best-selling crossover, a mid-size pickup truck, or a hot hatch with better performance, more interior and cargo space, higher resale value, and better performance figures. So who would buy the MINI? 

Does the Cooper S's performance justify its price tag?

The 2025 MINI Cooper S has improved upon its predecessor's powertrain with a turbocharged 2.0L straight-four that produces 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately the stick shift option is no more, and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox has become the standalone transmission option, and power is sent exclusively to the front wheels. With a curb weight of 3,014 pounds, the Cooper S should be a riot on twistier roads. 

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That all sounds fine and dandy until you compare the Cooper S with the Volkswagen GTI – the king of the hot hatch segment. For about the same price as the Cooper S, the GTI offers far more interior space, cargo space, and generally better resale value. The GTI also uses a turbocharged 2.0L straight-four mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and front-wheel drive, but its power output is 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Weighing in at 3,188 pounds, it is heavier than the MINI, but not by much. 

If we look at other comparable sporty cars around the Cooper S's price point, the story remains the same. The 2024 Subaru WRX has a starting price of $32,735, and is powered by a turbocharged 2.4L flat-four producing 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It's slightly heavier than the other two, with a curb weight of 3,329 pounds, but the trade-off is its standard symmetrical all-wheel drive system. The WRX can also be had with a six-speed manual transmission, which most of its buyers still opt for.

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If competitors offer greater performance value for the money when compared to the 2025 MINI Cooper S, then its price tag can't be justified by its sportiness. It's not as if MINI has a reputation for offering a more reliable product than VW and Subaru either, and in terms of depreciation, the WRX has the best resale value of the entire Subaru lineup. So where is the Cooper S's value being hidden?

Does the Cooper S offer an elevated, premium feel compared to other options at its price point?

The aesthetics of the 2025 MINI Cooper S's interior are admittedly clean, but "premium" doesn't accurately describe it, even if it is a BMW sub-brand. Perhaps our very own Nathan Adlen described it best when he referred to the interior as "bland". A gauge cluster is absent above the steering wheel, and it seems that all of the necessary driver information has been homogenized into the extremely imposing, circular infotainment screen tacked onto the centre of the dash as if it were an afterthought. 

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If a premium feel is what you're looking for at this price point, the 2025 Audi A3 starts at $38,200 – about the same price as a reasonably well-optioned Cooper S. Packing a turbocharged 2.0L straight-four that produces 201 horsepower and 236lb-ft of torque, you wouldn't be sacrificing performance either – not to mention the added perks of having four doors and usable rear seats. So, then, the answer is no – the 2025 MINI Cooper S does not offer an elevated, more premium feel than comparably priced vehicles. 

With the 2025 MINI Cooper S, you're paying for its theatrics

The only element of the 2025 MINI Cooper S that outweighs any of its price-tag competitors is its road presence. The Cooper S makes a statement wherever it goes, with unique LED pixel tail lights that evoke the Union Jack, contrasting roof paint options, imposing circular LED headlights, and iconic MINI Cooper proportions. 

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It seems that MINI is banking on the effectiveness of its brand pedigree and the iconic style of the Cooper to justify its hefty price tag. If style is your priority, then there aren't many new cars out there that match the new Cooper S's road presence and ability to grab attention for the money. However, if you're a realist, and understand that a brand new, $32,200 car should offer more than just a fashion statement, the new Cooper S seems a bit out of touch. 

Is the 2025 MINI Cooper S something you could justify spending over $32,200 on? Are you a fan of its cutesy charm or do you find the gimmicks useless and offensive? Let us know how you feel in the comments – we love to hear your thoughts!