Since relaunching as a premium brand a couple of decades back, modern Minis have flaunted the brand's take on premium interiors. The interior of the 2023 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop strikes a balance between sporty hot hatch and premium passenger car, and we love that there's still a big element of quirkiness involved. The dashboard is dominated by a circular theme - from the vents to the large circle in the middle of the dash that houses the infotainment display. The bucket sport seats, grippy steering wheel, and alloy pedals all hint at all the fun to be had, and the choice of materials and built quality is top-notch. Given the segment it competes in, it's not overly spacious, and back-seat passengers will likely complain on longer trips. The front power seats are supportive and hold the front passengers in place, even when the turns get tighter and faster.
Mini has never been boastful about the interior space of its cars, and the 2023 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop's interior is tightly packed. Those in the front get ample headroom and legroom, but head to the rear, and taller passengers will have a bad time; even adults of average size will find the 30.8-inches of rear legroom and 36.9 inches of headroom a tad snug. Getting in and out, especially to the rear seat, isn't easy either, which isn't conducive to having a family with lanky teens or baby seats that need to go in the back.
Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop Trims | John Cooper Works |
---|---|
Seating | 4 |
Headroom Front Seat | 38.3 in. |
Headroom Back Seat | 36.4 in. |
Legroom Front Seat | 41.4 in. |
Legroom Back Seat | 30.8 in. |
Shoulder Room Front | 50.6 in. |
Shoulder Room Rear | 47.8 in. |
Mini offers new customers a range of upholstery choices and new interior colors for the John Cooper Works Hardtop, with Carbon Black leatherette being the standard fare on base models. This can be switched out for a Dinamica/cloth combination in the same shade, but if you want Dinamica/leather, you'll have to fork out for the $1,750 Signature Upholstery Package. This package upgrade unlocks cloth/leatherette in Black Pearl or Black Pearl Light Chequered, Carbon Black Cross Punch leather, and Chesterfield leather in Malt Brown or Satellite Grey. You'll need to add an additional $750 on top of that if you want the Mini Yours Leather Lounge in Carbon Black.
Interior trim options include Piano Black, Aluminum, and Silver Checkered, depending on which selection you make for upholstery.
Cargo space has never been one of the Mini Cooper's fortes, and the 2023 model is no different. Pop the trunk lid, and you'll be faced with the challenge of squeezing all your stuff into an 8.7 cubic feet area. At least the hatchback liftgate opens wide, so accessing that limited space is easy enough. Mini knows that people will want more space, so thankfully, the rear seat can fold down, opening up a total of 34 cubic feet of space. Small items can be stored in the glove box, slim front door pockets, and center console storage compartment.
Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop Trims | John Cooper Works |
---|---|
Max Volume | 34 in. |
The features list for the 2023 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop isn't massive, but it contains all the things a young exec needs on his or her way to the hybrid office space/yoga studio. Step inside the cabin, and you'll be met with a chunky leather steering wheel, heated JCW performance seats with added lumbar support up front, and a digital driver info display. The cabin is also filled with modern driver assistance tech such as the standard active driving assistant with forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and rear park distance control. A rearview camera is standard, and if you opt for the Iconic subtrim, you get a head-up display and wireless phone charging additionally, as well as a parking assistant. A heated steering wheel can be added optionally.
At the heart of the Mini JCW Hartop's cabin sits an 8.8-inch touchscreen display with remote and connected services. This system features Bluetooth streaming, HD radio, Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker audio system with AM/FM radio and SiriusXM satellite radio with a generous 12-month subscription. For those who want to drown out the sound of that turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, Mini also provides a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system when you opt for the Iconic subtrim - this also adds Navigation plus. The system is easy to use and shouldn't take new owners more than a day or two to get the hang of.
There is 8.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, opening up to 34 cubes with the seats folded.
A grand total of four adults can sit inside the JCW Hardtop, although those at the back will be quite cramped.
Front seat passengers get to enjoy 41.4 inches of legroom, while those in the rear get only 30.8 inches.