2021 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop 2-Door

The shift from cars to crossovers and trucks has really affected the fortunes of companies like Mini, whose very DNA is inextricably linked to small, low, fun-to-drive hatchbacks.

By Isaac Bouchard

Being a part of the BMW Group, they’ve had some ability to pivot, by introducing slightly taller vehicles based on a front-drive platform they share. But the core of the brand is hot hatches like the John Cooper Works Hardtop 2-door I recently tested. This generation of the Hardtop is the largest and tallest yet, since it shares its architecture with vehicles like the BMW 2-series and X1. Its styling is also affected by pedestrian protection standards. The upshot is that the frontal aspect is taller and longer than ideal for good proportions and its wheels look a bit undersized. The designers have tried to make up for that with lots of intricate detailing and—to these eyes—an over-reliance on Union Jack motifs for things like the taillight graphics. Inside, things are better, with high quality fittings throughout and a pleasing integration of the bold shapes that have defined Mini’s cockpits since the cars came Stateside in the early Aughts. Tech is great, as it is based on the BMW iDrive system. The front buckets are supportive and comfortable and the rear bench is accommodating enough for friends and kids. Being a hatch, the JWC is practical and, with seats folded, commodious for its outside dimensions. But no one would by a JWC Mini for that; its raison d’etre is driver involvement and it is by that criteria it should be judged.

The John Cooper Works engine is a slightly uprated version of the corporate 2-liter turbo, with outputs of 228 horsepower and 236lb-ft of torque. 0-60mph takes 6 seconds with the 6-speed automatic and a bit longer with the manual transmission. That makes it slow for the class and for its price. Turbo lag is fairly minimal, the motor is smooth and revs out willingly, but there isn’t a lot of reward, either aurally or based on the body’s internal g-meter, for thrashing it. I’ve owned three Mini Coopers, including a first-generation S model, and while they had a choppy ride and were generally noisy and unrefined, they had such interactive handling and feelsome steering that I really didn’t mind. The biggest issue with the JWC is that the fun on offer just isn’t enough for one to put up with the compromises and expense. This Hardtop does ride better than previous Minis, and it is quieter. But it is still uncouth compared to most modern machines, and its steering, while quick in ratio, has no real feedback. Nor does the chassis talk back to the pilot like it once did. There are just too many filters between the tires’ contact patches and the driver’s backside and palms to elicit the kind of pleasure that once went with the pain. And the fact that half of the pickups now on sale can smoke the JWC from the lights surely doesn’t help. No doubt some of this can be put down to my age; I was early 30s when I owned my Minis; most of us are different people in our 50s. But I still yearn to own another Mazda MX-5 Miata, another purist car I had when I was much younger. Or, if I wanted something to split the difference—more practical than the Miata but with a few more compromises than the JWC, there are the latest Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, which prove it is possible to combine pure driving dynamics with some measure of practicality. The final issue I personally have with the John Cooper Works is its cost; while it starts in the low-$30k range, a well-equipped model is over $40,000, which puts it up against some very heady, rear wheel drive competition, including pony cars like the Mustang and Camaro. I personally still love Mini and want it to succeed; here is hoping the forthcoming electric vehicle revolution may end up being the answer.

EPA Ratings: 22/31/25mph

0-60mph: 6.2sec

Price as tested: $40,850

Here is what Mini has to say.

3 Stars

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Contact Isaac Bouchard for help saving time, money and hassle when buying or leasing one at [email protected]

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