What's New for the 2005 MINI Cooper?
The 2005 Mini Cooper undergoes a modest facelift for the front and rear fascias, but manages to retain its puckish charm. Inside, you'll find a HomeLink universal transmitter and a leather-wrapped steering wheel added to the standard features list, but you may miss the illuminated vanity mirrors for touch-ups after dark. Mechanically, the 2005 Mini Cooper S receives an infusion of 5 horsepower and 7 lb.-ft. of torque, for a total of 168 and 162, respectively. Both manual transmissions (five- and six-speed) feature shorter gearing for more lively acceleration. The dealer-installed John Cooper Works package also adds a power bump for 2005, giving the Cooper S 207 horsepower at 6,950 rpm and 180 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm (up 7 and 3 respectively, but with torque peaking 500 revs higher than before). Web-spoked, 17-inch alloy wheels and a rear foglight are added to the spunky Cooper halfway through the model year.

Advantages of the 2005 MINI Cooper:

• Fun to drive, own and be seen in
• Spirited handling, particularly with the Cooper S model
• Size and agility make it ideal for city driving conditions
• Available in hatchback and convertible form

Objections to the 2005 MINI Cooper:

• Base 115-horsepower engine could use more oomph, especially when paired with the optional continuously variable transmission
• Some interior trim pieces could use some refinement
• Rear seat not designed for adults

Editor's Advice:
Spirited, adorable, and reasonably priced, the Mini Cooper's appeal stems from more than its British heritage. Behind its retro-modern styling is a set of contemporary hardware designed and engineered by Mini's parent company, BMW. The Mini Cooper offers comfort for two adults, and the tiny rear seat is perfect for small children. Or, flip it down for a large cargo space, and treat the Cooper as a two-seater. Select the standard Mini Cooper, or the supercharged S model, but be sure to learn how to drive a manual transmission because the continuously variable automatic that comes with the base motor makes for slooooooow going. Our favorite is the Mini Cooper S, which can charge down a twisting canyon road with surprising verve, with a rough city ride the primary drawback. Optional on the Cooper S is a John Cooper Works package that bumps horsepower from 168 to 200 and adds 15 lb.-ft. of torque. We'd like to see improvements in the quality of some interior bits and pieces, but then BMW would need to price the Mini Cooper too high, so we'll live with the cheap plastic. Looking like nothing else on the road today, the Mini Cooper embodies the aspects that made the original so popular in the first place: it's stylish, affordable and a blast to drive.