2012 Cooper Base Reviews

• Body Style: Hatchback
• Vehicle Size: Subcompact
• MSRP: $19500.00
• Mileage: 29
• Fuel Type: Premium unleaded
• Fuel Capacity: 13.20
• Horsepower: 121
• Seating Capacity:4
• Build Location: Oxford, Great Britain

• Model Lineup
• Exterior Features
• Interior Features
• Driving Impressions
• Summary

Mini interiors were updated for 2011 with new features and materials and improved noise counter-measures, and the 2012 Mini Yours line of optional upgrades lend an opportunity for owners to personalize and upgrade their cars.Mini affords numerous interior trim options that can give each one an individual character.

All Mini Cooper cabins are charming with excellent finish.The plastics have a quality look and feel.This also goes for the base Leatherette upholstery (vinyl).Multiple leather options are available, including a cloth and leather combination, a full leather option, and the glove soft Lounge Leather with contrasting piping, similar to classic British sedans.Ambient lighting is standard on most models, and it softly illuminates the door panels and footwells with subtle LEDs.The driver can change the color of the lighting across a spectrum from soft orange to crisp blue.

Despite diminutive exterior dimensions, Mini cabins are surprisingly spacious up front.Even a 6-foot, 5-inch driver can be comfortable in the front seat.The basic manual levers, controlling height, seatback rake, and front-rear travel, allow just about everyone to easily find a comfortable spot.

The Mini driving position is excellent.We found the seats comfortable for long-distance trips, and they're nicely bolstered to keep you in place when you inevitably hustle through the turns.The available sport seats are even better.

A round, plastic transmitter replaces a conventional ignition key.It slides into a slot next to the steering column, and the driver fires the engine by pressing the adjacent a start/stop button.The button is cute and inoffensive, but no more effective than a standard key.The optional proximity key allows the driver to leave the transmitter in purse or pocket and just press the start button.We'd prefer a traditional key, but that's not an option.

All models follow Mini's sporty tradition of a big, round speedometer in the center of the dash.The tachometer is mounted on the tilt/telescoping steering column, moving with the wheel as it's adjusted it up and down.The Convertible has a unique Openometer next to the tach.It tracks the number of hours you drive with the top down and displays the owner's enthusiasm for open-cockpit motoring, a cute feature.

Heating and air conditioning controls sit below the speedo, and they're straightforward in base models.The available automatic climate control system is cleverly configured in the shape of the winged Mini logo.The switch layout is generally effective, though sometimes it's a bit too clever.

The audio controls sacrifice ease of use for design symmetry.The tuning knob is centered with most other audio buttons at the bottom of the speedometer, while the volume control sits further down the center stack, closer to the HVAC controls.At first, you may find yourself changing the station when what you really want is to turn up the volume.The integrated design of the audio controls makes it nearly impossible to fit any aftermarket sound system, and the buttons are obviously plastic, with a matte-gray in finish, and detract from the otherwise high-quality interior appointments.

A retro touch, chrome toggle switches that look like something out of an airplane or racecar cockpit, are positioned at the base of the center stack to control the windows, auxiliary lights, and stability-control system.The toggles are duplicated above the rearview mirror to control interior lights, the optional sunroof and the Convertible top.The steering-column stalk switches for wipers and turn signals are pleasing to look and satisfying to use.

The navigation or Mini Connected systems add a rectangular 6.5-inch video screen in the central speedometer, with a digitally generated speed needle around its perimeter.Maps are stored on a built-in flash drive.Both Mini Connected and the full nav system add Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port, and they make it easy to integrate mobile devices.Audio can be streamed via Bluetooth, and album cover artwork and mobile-phone caller lists can be displayed on the monitor.BMW is a leader in this area.

Interior storage space is not abundant, but it's adequate.There are bins in the door panels, map pockets on the front seatbacks, a small center-console bin and an average-size glovebox.The glovebox can be cooled with the air conditioning, and it's enough to keep a bottled drink reasonably cool, or to keep chocolate bars from turning to mush.The optional Center Rail storage and fastening system replaces the standard center console with two aluminium rails running lengthwise through the middle of the interior.Various accessories, including cupholders, storage boxes, trays or armrests can be locked anywhere along the rails to the occupants' preference.

In the Mini Cooper Hardtop, the rear seat is barely habitable for adults, and only for very short rides.Access to it is anything but convenient.The Convertible has even less rear leg room, 28.1 inches compared to 29.9 inches, so adults or even children won't fit back there unless the front seats are moved far forward.

The Clubman offers more interior space.Its additional wheelbase length translates into additional legroom for rear-seat passengers, and those in back have more shoulder room, as well.The Clubdoor makes the Clubman's rear seat of the Clubman much easier to access from the passenger side.A slot was added on the door for 2011 that keeps the front seatbelt out of the way when rear passengers duck in.The third door is particularly handy for parents who need to deal with child safety seats.

The Convertible has the least cargo space of the Mini models.Room in the trunk doesn't change when the top is lowered, which is good, but there is only 6.0 cubic feet of space to begin with, which is bad, and hard to use, which is also bad.The rear seats fold down, and Mini claims that opens up 23.3 cubic feet of space.But that space is hard to get to, and big items won't slide in behind the front seatbacks or through the short trunk opening.In short, the Mini Convertible is an impractical car.

The Hardtop, with its large rear hatch and separate folding rear seatbacks, does better as a cargo hauler.With the rear seats in place, there's a miniscule 5.7 cubic feet of storage, enough for an airline roll-aboard and a brief case.But with the rear seats folded down, cargo volume expands to a readily accessible 24 cubic feet.That's more than enough for two passengers on long trip.

The Clubman provides a more usable 9.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and a shade-type, pullout cargo cover is provided.With the rear seatbacks folded, it presents a flat load floor and nearly 33 cubic feet of space.The Split Rear Barn Doors are hinged on the rear pillars and open out, providing wide access.

Forward vision is excellent in all Minis, at least when the road ahead is clear.Given the Mini's diminutive size, larger cars can block the view in the same way big SUVs can block the view from the driver's seat of midsize sedan.

Rear sightlines are good in the Hardtop.The Convertible has a couple of issues, however.When the top is down, the lower portion of the driver's rearward line of sight is compromised.With the top up, its corners block vision in the rear quarters.Backing out of a parking spot can be a challenge, making the Park Distance Control warning system an important option.In the Clubman, the line where the rear barn doors join is a bit of a distraction in the rearview mirror.The Coupe's cabin is pure Mini, which means unusual relative most cars.Pick any adjective in the realm of unusual, strange, odd, or quirky and it could easily apply.And like every Mini the cabin is centralized so it's easy to build left- and right-hand drive versions of it.

With ellipses and circles in most styling elements it draws the eye, and a closer look reveals it's well put together and not a sea of uninspired plastic.Upholstery is cloth, leather (artificial or real, contrast piped or not) or a combination of cloth seat centers and leather bolsters, and the Coupe offers two exclusives: Toffee and Punch.Door panel inserts and armrests have some soft-touch surfaces and Mini proudly proclaims that floor mats (both of them) are standard.

The Coupe gives up a little headroom to its larger cousins but our combo of 6-foot, 3-inch and 6-foot, 5-inch frames didn't have any issues.The front seats are reasonably comfortable, and the sport seats are up to the car's capability.The cushions are adjustable for height but not angle, so longer legs may find thigh support minimal and tend to submarine, sliding down and forward over time.The passenger's floor is flat and open, good for comfort and bracing oneself, while the driver's side has a bit more legroom and a good dead pedal for holding themselves in the seat.Your passenger may find even a sport seat not enough for an exuberant driving style, and you'll both want to get out and stretch after a few hours.

A tilt/telescoping steering wheel, shifter and handbrake properly placed ensure decent driver positioning and the pedals are nicely placed for fancy footwork if your shoes aren't too big.The optional center armrest, included with some packages and carrying audio inputs within, might present an obstacle to longer arms or elbow whether it's up or down.Laying the windshield back has a detrimental effect on forward visibility where undulating roads often required awkward neck twists to see the road around or under the rearview mirror, the quarter windows are of little benefit, and the marginal rear window is bisected by the wing most of the time.

Most switches and controls are black with white labeling, and the chrome rings on everything from shifter to tachometer are rarely flat so glare issues are minimal; we got blitzed only once from gauge glare bouncing off the outside mirror lens.Instruments and controls are bathed in deep amber at night, while door handles and ambient lighting get a rainbow of colors.

The tachometer is directly ahead of the driver and most of the scale can be seen through the wheel.It includes a digital speed display which is handy because the parallax error in the central speedo can be up to 5 mph and it's an awkward device to follow.The tach also has the display for miles, temperature, trip computer info and so on, and like the audio display in the bottom of the speedometer, polarized sunglasses sometimes affect legibility.

The huge speedometer has an orange flower-shape for fuel level that draws the eyes, and audio controls are the bottom.On cars with optional electronics the speedometer has a stubby needle on the outside ring, a TFT center display (not affected by polarized lenses) and the fuel gauge arcs across the bottom like so many pieces of candy corn.

Below that are the CD slot, ventilation controls, toggle switches for the auto-down windows, and door locks.The lock toggle does not correlate push-down with lock and lift-up for unlock, it just moves the locks to the other position whenever you move the switch.Further toggles are found overhead (mostly cabin lights and the rear spoiler) while stability and sport mode are pushbutton ears on the shifter base.

The navigation system is run via two buttons and a small rotary controller just behind the shifter, an arrangement that works better than it sounds.Menu logic and programming is much like BMW's latest iteration of iDrive, so all the bugs were worked out before Mini got it.

Mini's Connected system brings IOS 4.2 iPhone 3GS or 4, or Touch, or 6G nano, features into the car with a free iPhone app, and now works with Pandora and MOG as well.You can listen to web radio, have your Mini automatically tweet your approximate location and temperature while you're motoring and can have RSS or tweets read aloud to you.Since the iPhone et al have a stable platform with hardware and software by the same maker it is currently the only system for Connected.

No back seat implies a lot of cargo room, but a chunk of the area is covered structure.A lockable pass-through from the cockpit is big enough to get your laptop or compact backpack through but you may need long arms to retrieve it from the deep well without opening the hatch (which clears our tall testers).The only concealed cabin storage is in the glovebox and a small space within the armrest.We found a jack under the rear floor but no tire nor room for one.Inside, the Roadster maintains the retro Mini look that's part of the brand's success.The center of the dashboard is dominated by a speedometer the size of a serving platter, with the speed indicator tracking around its rim and the center devoted to an info screen, as well as a nav system in Minis so equipped.The tachometer straddles the steering column, which is adjustable for both steering wheel rake and reach.

There is a substantial quantity of plastic, but the interior materials are of high quality.Like the speedometer and tachometer, a bevy of toggle switches help the Mini retain touch with its distinguished past.The standard seats are comfortable, although the S and JCW models offer more lateral support and a sportier feel.There's a good range of adjustability, manual in all models, and several upholstery options.

The Mini forsakes a conventional ignition key for a round plastic fob that docks in a slot next to the steering column, and the driver fires the engine by pressing an adjacent a start/stop button.The advantage of this system is hard to perceive.This could also be said for the standard ambient LED lighting in the door panels and footwells.The driver can change the color across a spectrum from soft orange to crisp blue.

Heating and air conditioning controls reside beneath the speedo, well marked and easy to use in the basic Roadster, and automatic climate control is available.

Audio controls aren't quite as straightforward.The tuning knob is centered with most other audio buttons at the bottom of the speedometer, but the volume control is lower, closer to the HVAC controls.The standard audio system is good, but inevitably Mini offers a premium upgrade, one of a vast, almost bewildering array of optional features available for all models.

Elbow room is limited, but head and leg room are plentiful, even for tall occupants.Like most convertibles, the Mini has substantial blind spots in the rear quarters with its top up, and the smallish glass rear window limits vision directly astern.

If there's any disappointment inside, it's with the single-layer top, whose support bows are exposed.It seals well, but at speeds above 60 mph or so, wind noise becomes obtrusive.

Of course, the Mini product planners equate open top motoring with fun, and seem to think the only time it's acceptable to cover the cockpit is during monsoon weather.To that end, the Roadster, like the Convertible, is equipped with a gauge called an Openometer, which measures the time the car has been operated with top down, as an index of enjoyment.A piece of kit that might be useful for top-down motoring is a wind blocker, a Mini accessory that straddles the rollover hoops and mitigates but does not eliminate cockpit turbulence when the top is down.

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