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Sporty/performance car; Built in
  • 2-door hatchback
  • 2-door hatchback
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $12,300 – $22,800*


2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop


2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop


2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop

Pros:
  • Fun to drive
  • Fuel economy
  • Handling
Cons:
  • High option prices
  • Rear-seat room

The Mini Cooper’s 2014 revamp brought slightly bigger dimensions that give this third-generation Mini Cooper a bit more space inside than its predecessor, but the car’s quirky personality and nimble, caffeinated driving character carry over intact. Mini Coopers are a bit pricey compared to some of the compact hatchbacks they’re often shopped against, but if you want a little enthusiast attitude in your commuter hatchback a Mini Cooper is certainly worth checking out.

Overview

The redesigned third-generation of the Mini Cooper Hardtop, the traditional hatchback model, was introduced for 2014. The redesign brought slightly larger dimensions which helped make it a bit larger inside than its predecessor. The Mini Cooper convertible continued to be available, but it still used the car’s second-generation design. Please see Consumer Guide’s 2007-2013 Mini Cooper review for more information on the convertible.

A broad range of technology features were available on the Mini Cooper Hardtop, including some rare-for-the-class features such as heads-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a self-parking system.

Base Coopers were powered by a 134-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. Cooper S had a 189-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. A 6-speed manual transmission was standard on both models, with a 6-speed automatic optional. All Mini Copper Hardtops were front-wheel drive.

EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder were 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway with the manual transmission, and 28/39 with the automatic. The 2.0-liter engine was rated at 24/34 with the manual and 26/35 with the automatic. Premium-grade gasoline was required for all models.

Yearly Updates

2014 Cooper Hardtop

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Base Mini Cooper Hardtops were powered by a 134-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. The Cooper S had a 189-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. A 6-speed manual transmission was standard, with a 6-speed automatic optional on all models. All Mini Copper Hardtops were front-wheel drive.

Turbocharged dohc I31
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.5/91
Engine HP 134
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 162
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic 		29/40
28/39
Turbocharged dohc I42
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.0/122
Engine HP 189
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 207
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic 		24/34
26/35

1. Cooper Hardtop. 2. Cooper S Hardtop.

Road Test

Only a Mini Cooper S with automatic transmission has been made available for evaluation. The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is eager from a stop, and downright aggressive in highway passing situations. The automatic transmission could get confused and seemingly caught between gears when the throttle is applied at low speeds, for example when rounding a sharp corner.

In Consumer Guide testing, a Cooper S with automatic transmission averaged 26.9 mpg in driving that was slightly more city than highway work. Premium-grade gas is required.

Cooper S rides firmly, but stops short of being outright harsh. Highway bumps can generate a pitching sensation. Previous Mini Coopers have been sporty and fun to drive, and the 2014 model maintains that tradition. Quick, responsive steering make changes of direction play, not work. Some testers feel this Cooper doesn’t feel quite as sharp as previous models, but even they think it remains a great-handling car, and still about as close as one can get to a street-legal go cart. Tire noise can be prominent at highway speeds.

Coopers have always had an odd and somewhat inconvenient instrument and control layout, and this model is no different. Well it is actually different, it’s just really not really any better. The Mini’s signature steering-column-mounted instrument pod , circular center-dash display and row of lower-dash toggle switches are retained, but they have all been reconfigured and repurposed. Now, the speedometer is directly in front of the driver, with the tachometer being a small “eyebrow” off to the left. Center-circle controls are mainly taken up by a large non-touch screen navigation screen and basic audio controls. Below that are the climate controls, and buttons for things like seat heaters. Mini’s trademark toggle switches are at the bottom, and one is tasked as a start “flipper” as opposed to a more common start button. Many functions are buried in menus that are accessed via a console control knob. As is common with systems like this, what is initially confounding eventually becomes second nature over time. Interior materials are price appropriate and assembly is done with apparent care.

Front-seat room is adult friendly, but some testers found the seats uncomfortable. Rear seat room remains tight, with almost no leg room when the front seats are pushed far back.

With the rear seats up, there’s enough cargo room for a week’s worth of groceries or weekend-getaway luggage. The split rear seat flops forward easily, but the seat backs sit a few inches above the level of the cargo floor. Interior storage includes upper and lower glove boxes, a tiny bin in the center armrest, a forward console bin with USB/Aux/12V plugs, two console cupholders, and map pockets in the doors.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop with automatic transmission

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 7
70%
Fuel Economy - 7
70%
Ride Quality - 3
30%
Steering/Handling - 9
90%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 2
20%
Cargo Room - 5
50%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 53

Specifications

2-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
98.2 151.1 68.0 55.7
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
34.0 11.6 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.3 36.9 41.4 30.8
2-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
98.2 151.9 68.0 55.7
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
34.0 11.6 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.3 36.9 41.4 30.8
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop 2-door hatchback

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 2
40%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Doors
Description: Due to high or low temperatures doors may not latch or lock correctly. Condition can be difficult to duplicate. (2014)
Poor drivability
Description: Restriction of oil supply to turbocharger can result in the turbocharger seizing which creates noise or loss of performance. (2014)
Information stickers/paperwork
Description: Some 2014 Mini Coopers have incorrect VIN numbers that indicate they are 2015 models when in reality they are 2014 models.

Recall History

2014 Mini Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop
Description: Certain 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop and Mini Cooper S Hardtop vehicles received replacement front passenger seat cushions during a service appointment that did not have a properly calibrated occupant classification system. Because of this the passenger’s airbag may be inappropriately activated or deactivated in the event of a collision.
2014 Mini Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop
Description: Certain 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop and Mini Cooper S Hardtop vehicles may have a passenger-side frontal air bag that may not properly deploy during a low-speed collision.
2014 Mini Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop
Description: Certain 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop and Mini Cooper S Hardtop vehicles do not meet U.S. safety standards for side impact protect of the rear seat passengers. To meet the standard, dealers will install additional energy absorption material between the outer body and the rear interior side panels.
2014 Mini Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop
Description: Certain 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop and Mini Cooper S Hardtop vehicles made after January 6, 2014 and equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission may have been modified with dealer-installed transmission control software that allows the driver to exit the vehicle without the transmission being in park.
2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop
Description: Certain 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop vehicles made after December 1, 2013 may have an incorrect maximum capacity weight printed on the tire information placard.
2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop
Description: Certain 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop vehicles made between January 7, 2014 and July 21, 2014 may have been assembled with spare wheels that were secured underneath the car with a nut that is not self locking and can vibrate loose.
2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop
Description: Certain 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop vehicles made between February 2, 2014 and May 30, 2014 may have a passenger-side air-bag inflator that was not properly assembled and may not operate as intended during a collision.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on April 20, 2016.
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