2005 MINI Cooper Road Test

MINI claims that out of every 200,000 vehicles produced, that only two are identical in specification and trim. Such an

MINI has masterfully fused retro styling cues with modern day functionality, plus BMW-grade build quality in a tasteful package. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

amazing feat can be attributed to its extensive lineup of exterior colors, interior colors and trims, plus options like chrome trim packages, hood stripes, roof and mirror decals and a variety of different alloy wheels. As silly as it sounds, bright colors such as Electric Blue and Liquid Yellow give the Cooper a bouncy, vibrant personality, while darker colors such as Astro Black Metallic (one of two new colours for 2004), and my tester's Pure Silver paint give the Cooper a more mature and sophisticated appearance.

Slide into the driver's seat of the revised Cooper and you'll be greeted with an interior that's completely different than any other vehicle on earth. MINI has masterfully fused retro styling cues with modern day functionality, plus BMW-grade build quality in a tasteful package. The height-adjustable leatherette sport bucket seats hold driver and passenger snugly in place, offering support and comfort unheard of in cars of its size. In combination with a full-length glass panoramic roof and a near perfect driving position, the MINI feels much airier and therefore larger than its physical size could ever suggest when on the outside. Cold rainy November days

Like the exterior, there are minor changes to be found in the updated MINI's interior. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

increased the time I spent in the MINI's sublime cockpit, often spent warming up with its heated seats, and soaking in rich "bassy" tunes from the optional Harman-Kardon 6-speaker sound system.

Much like the exterior there are minor changes to be found in the interior, the most significant of which is the new three-spoke sports steering wheel with optional multi-function controls. Aside from being less awkward to look at than the 'boomerang' two spoke wheel, the new one is more comfortable thanks to a thinner rim and better positioning of the spokes. At first, this appeared to be the solitary change, but throughout the week other improvements such as the repositioning of the overhead clock, deeper door bins and new overhead map lights, were discovered. Disappointingly, the complex seat reclining levers weren't changed, a small but bothersome oversight.