2025 MINI 3 Door John Cooper Works Petrol Review

Nowadays, the demand for sportiness in the B-segment small car market is heating up. Many consumers want the agile driving feel that comes with a compact body while also hoping to balance daily practicality and configuration experience. As the core model of the brand's performance lineup, the 2025 MINI 3 Door John Cooper Works Petrol retains the classic three-door design while upgrading intelligent configurations and safety systems. Priced at RM 318,888, it directly targets young groups seeking driving pleasure and refinement. The primary aim of our test drive this time is to validate its performance in power response, handling, and daily usage scenarios to see whether this classic pocket rocket can continue to be competitive.

In terms of appearance, the new car continues MINI's iconic rounded contours, but the details exude a stronger sense of sportiness. The front end features an octagonal grille with a smoked finish, accompanied by a three-sectioned sporty front bumper and red front lip decoration, making it highly recognizable. The side of the car maintains a short overhang and long wheelbase proportion, while the 18-inch dual five-spoke wheels and 205/40 R18 tires further reinforce its aggressive vibe. At the rear, the smoked LED taillights adopt a Union Jack interior texture, paired with dual round exhausts on both sides, creating a compact and impactful visual effect. The lighting system comes standard with LED lights across all trims, with the addition of automatic headlights and daytime running lights enhancing everyday convenience.

Inside, the classic rounded elements remain the core of the interior, but this time they adopt the MINI OLED circular central control display, which boasts significantly improved clarity and operational smoothness. The interior materials primarily consist of soft-touch plastics and leather wrappings, with red stitching added to the steering wheel and seats, aligning with the performance-oriented positioning of the JCW models. In terms of features, HUD head-up display, keyless entry, and electrically adjustable seats for both front and rear rows come standard, while the inclusion of a Harman Kardon surround sound system further elevates the audio experience. Regarding space, the dimensions are 3876/1744/1452 mm (length/width/height), with a wheelbase of 2495 mm. The front row offers ample space, with sufficient headroom and legroom for passengers up to 180 cm tall. Though the rear only accommodates two seats, it’s adequate for short trips. The 60:40 split-folding rear seats also expand storage space, making it convenient for daily luggage.

Dynamic driving is the car's core highlight. It is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum power of 170 kW (231 PS) and a peak torque of 380 N·m, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The power response is swift during startup; the accelerator is finely tuned, providing an obvious thrust with a light press. When switched to sport mode, the transmission's shifting logic becomes more aggressive, and downshifting speed quickens, allowing for rapid power output during overtaking with just a deeper press of the accelerator. The official 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.1 seconds is particularly perceptible during real driving. Regarding handling, the front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension are tuned on the firmer side. The steering precision is very high, with minimal slack in the steering wheel, and body roll is well-controlled during cornering, providing ample confidence. However, the stiffer suspension transmits more vibrations on bumpy roads, slightly affecting comfort.

In terms of fuel consumption performance, in our testing under mixed driving conditions, the fuel consumption was approximately 7.2L per 100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 6.8L. However, considering the performance-oriented tuning, this result is reasonable. The braking system uses ventilated discs at the front and rear, with a linear brake pedal feedback, and the vehicle maintains a stable posture during emergency braking, ensuring safety. During daily driving, noise control is well-performed. Wind and tire noises at high speeds are within an acceptable range, and the seat's wrapping and support can meet the needs of long-distance driving.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2025 MINI 3 Door John Cooper Works Petrol lie in its precise handling, strong power output, and richer configurations compared to its competitors in the same class—features such as standard HUD, electric seats, and Harman Kardon audio system make it highly competitive among B-segment sports subcompact cars. However, the stiff suspension tuning and limited rear-seat space make it more suitable for individual users or small families who prioritize driving pleasure.

If you are a consumer seeking daily driving enjoyment, appreciating the flexibility brought by a compact body, and at the same time not willing to compromise on configuration experience, this car would be a good choice. It retains MINI's classic design elements while meeting modern driving needs through upgraded configurations, making it a small performance car that balances nostalgia and practicality.