MINI Cooper S (06 on) - Review

Better to drive. More space. Less fuss. That's what makes this MINI Cooper S different from the one it replaces - even though it may look virtually the same. Most of the changes are under the skin and they help make it better than ever. There's a new turbocharged engine, updated interior and every body panel is different - though not so you'd notice. But the best bits have been kept, so it's fantastic to drive, fun and even sensible to own - it depreciates slowly and is cheap to service. This means it's a hot hatch that appeals to the head as well as the heart. The addition of the MINI SD in 2011 (Sports Diesel) to the Cooper range isn't about re-inventing the popular model, but more tweaking and adding another feather to the cap of one of the best-loved cars in the UK.