After six years on the market, even the most car-ignorant onlooker knows what a MINI Cooper looks like.  This stylish subcompact is one of the big reasons that small cars are turning all respectable on us, after all.  With premium appointments and entertaining performance as well as fantastic fuel economy, the MINI Cooper was one of the first cars to prove that diminutive dimensions don’t necessarily have to mean a cut-rate ride.

Everybody recognizes the MINI, but considerably fewer will notice that for 2007, it’s all-new.  This cheerful little hatchback has been completely redesigned, though it’s not obvious at a glance; the new sheet metal is style to perfectly match the proportions of the old.  That said, a host of improvements make the 2007 MINI a legitimate next step in the evolution of the premium compact.

One MINI owner described the new design as being like a caricature of the previous car, in a good way, and that’s true.  The elements that made the MINI familiar are stronger all around.  The changes are subtle; a tweak to the basic look here, a nip and tuck there.  The result is a MINI that looks more assertive and a bit more upscale.  Perhaps, in the case of the Cooper S, even a bit meaner.  Our test car’s airdam, big wheels, and narrow panel gaps gave it a more powerful look.

If you want the rundown of actual changes, they’re more obvious when the current and previous MINIs are parked side-by side.  The headlights are larger and more intricate, with cool projector-lamp detailing.  The chrome trim running around the body is more prominent and distinct, encompassing the windshield wipers.  At the rear, the window glass has been revised for improved aerodynamics.  The taillights are larger, too.  The oversized details mask the increase in size, so the MINI still looks “mini,” even when parked next to the smaller ’06 model.   It’s about three inches longer than the first-generation MINI. The higher-performance MINI Cooper S is still distinguished by the hood scoop and central exhaust, and the cool details like contrasting-color roof and mirrors and available roof decals are still available, of course.

The size increase is intended primarily to make the interior subtly larger.  It’s not particularly noticeable except in the cargo area, which can now hold a few grocery bags without necessitating that the rear seat be folded.  The optional cargo nets are handy, too.  Up front where the people sit, the dinner-plate sized central speedometer and retro toggle switchgear are still prominent design elements.  The cheap plastics that got some flak in the previous model have been banished.  Rear seat room has been slightly increased by re-contouring the front seatbacks.  At night, indirect ambient lighting in a choice of colors gives the MINI showcar-like style inside, glowing from the B-pillars, door pockets and door handles.  Another upscale touch is the ignition key, which is a round transmitter rather than a traditional key.  For MINI drivers who want even more luxury, a variety of interior trims are now available, including color-matched dash trim and wood.  There’s an optional navigation system as well.

The new interior does look better, but the sound system controls are an ergonomic nightmare.  MINI has integrated many of the ancillary controls with the speedometer.  The resulting layout is simpler to look at, but it’s very hard to use and even harder to figure out quickly.  Thanks to too many counterintuitive controls and no simple way to scroll up and down the radio dial, we found ourselves irritated with the MINI’s radio quite frequently.

Of course, that doesn’t detract from the driving experience in the least.  How could it?  It may be a touch bigger, but the MINI hasn’t lost a bit of its joie de vivre.  The handling is still wish-quick, the grip still monorail-like.  Variable-assist electric power steering is new, and includes a “sport” mode that offers a more direct connection to the road.  Anti-lock brakes, corner braking control and traction control are standard equipment, with Dynamic Stability Control available.

The MINI gets an all-new engine, as well.  In the MINI Cooper S, the all-aluminum 1.6 liter four-cylinder is turbocharged, and makes 172 horsepower.  The twin-scroll turbocharger offers almost lag-free power.  The new car feels somewhat more athletic than its predecessor as a result of the power bump.  Small size works in the MINI’s favor in the economy department as well; all of this performance is had to the tune of 29 city, 36 highway mileage.  The standard MINI will top 40 mpg on the freeway.  The standard transmission in both MINI models is now a six-speed manual, with an optional six-speed automatic also available.

The MINI faithful will of course instantly recognize the new car versus the old; most other folks probably can’t tell the difference.  Spotting the changes isn’t all that important, however; what’s important is that the MINI is still the MINI.  The more refined 2007 model hasn’t lost any of the charm that made it an automotive icon in the first place.  MINI pricing is still in the “premium compact” range, with the Cooper stickering for $18,700.  The hot MINI Cooper S starts at $21,850.  Per pound, that’s pretty steep, but the MINI Cooper S will happily repay the extra cost in driving enjoyment.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2007 MINI Cooper S
Length:  146.2 in.
Width:     66.3 in.
Height:     55.4 in.
Wheelbase:  97.1 in.
Curb weight:  2668 lb.
Cargo space:  5.7 cu.ft. (seats up)
Base price:  $21,850
Price as tested:     $26,170
Engine:  1.6 liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder
Drivetrain: six-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower:  172 @ 5500
Torque:  177 @ 1600-5000
Fuel capacity:    13.2 gal.
Est. mileage:  29/36