MINIs are so cute and stylish, and the John Cooper Works models are the performance versions of these fun cars. The John Cooper Works models are named after the racing legend who founded the Cooper Car Company and created the Mini Cooper.
Base Price: $32,900
As Tested: $40,750
Horsepower: 228
Mileage: 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined
The current MINI has been around since 2002 when it became part of the BMW line-up and is now in its third generation The 2022 John Cooper Works line-up includes four models: the Hardtop 2 Door, Convertible 2 Door, Clubman ALL4, and Countryman ALL4.
For 2022, all MINI Hardtop models get exterior, interior, infotainment and driving safety tech updates. There’s a new grille and front and rear bumpers, the infotainment system gets a bigger screen and updated interface, satellite radio is now standard, and there’s a new digital gauge display instead of the old analog one.
The four-passenger MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop starts at $32,900. Front-wheel-drive is standard. There are numerous packages and options so you can personalize the exterior and interior to your liking.
The John Cooper Works Hardtop is the most powerful Hardtop MINI has ever made. It has a TwinPower turbo 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that makes 228 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. You can choose from a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Driving the JCW Hardtop can be like being behind the wheel of a go-kart—it’s peppy, nimble, and just a lot of fun to drive! The JCW Hardtop can go from zero to 60 in 6.1 seconds with the manual transmission or 5.9 seconds with the automatic. Steering is responsive and Brembo brakes come standard. Its small size makes it easy to zip around in busy city traffic, and it’s a blast to take out on country backroads. The suspension is tuned for performance which is great for sporty handling but can make the ride feel stiff, especially on rough roads.
Fuel efficiency is decent. EPA ratings for my tester are 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with a combined rating of 29. I got 30 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The interior is fun and stylish with high-end materials. The infotainment system has a large, circular screen that dominates the dashboard. The front seats are comfortable and supportive. There’s decent leg- and headroom for average-sized adults in the front row, but larger and/or taller folks may wish for more room. While four can technically fit in the MINI, the backseat is very tight and only small kids will be comfortable.
Standard features include keyless entry, leather steering wheel, 8.8-inch circular infotainment display, six-speaker audio system, HD radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and rain-sensing wipers.
Available features include a head-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seating, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, premium Harman/Kardon audio system, navigation, Apple CarPlay (unfortunately Android Auto isn’t available), wireless device charging, adjustable ambient lighting, panoramic moonroof, and roof rails.
Standard driver assistance technologies include automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and pedestrian and front collision warning with city collision mitigation.
Available driver assistance technologies include available adaptive cruise control and parking assistant.
Because of its small size, there’s not a ton of cargo space. There are 8.7 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place, and 34 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A manual liftgate is standard.
The good:
Peppy performance
Cute and stylish
Decent fuel efficiency
Upscale cabin
Lots of ways you can personalize your MINI
Available Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Ride can be stiff
Relatively high price tag
Tight interior
Little cargo room
Android Auto not available
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $32,900. The Iconic trim is $7,000 and includes dynamic damper control, heated steering wheel, eight-speed Sport automatic transmission, power-folding mirrors, keyless entry, Roof-in body color, Piano Black exterior trim, panoramic moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, harman/kardon premium audio system, and performance summer tires. Destination fee is $850 bringing the grand total to $40,750.
Bottom line:
With its 2022 refresh, the MINI line-up gets some tweaks and new features, while maintaining the fun and style MINIs are known for. The John Cooper Works model is a MINI on steroids – you get all the personality as well as a big boost in performance. The MINI isn’t for everyone because of its small size and relatively high price tag. But it’s loved for its cheerful and peppy personality.
