Video Review: F66 MINI Cooper S JCW Trim Is A Budget JCW That’s The Sweet Spot of the Range

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The new MINI Cooper S has many notable improvements over the previous generation but it also lacks the manual transmission and even shift paddles in North America. The Cooper S with JCW Trim doesn’t resurrect the manual but it does bring back shift paddles and some important additions that make it the best driving Cooper S sold today. The only problem? It’s not sold in North America.

MINI has made subtle but noticeable improvements to the F66 Cooper S’s driving dynamics, with better steering, suspension, and a wider track. The recalibrated EPS system offers more linear feedback and quicker steering response, providing better resistance and road feel—arguably the best since the R56. The suspension is more compliant, especially on uneven surfaces, and the wider track sharpens turn-in.

The Cooper S with JCW Trim enhances these improvements, featuring more aggressive brakes, quicker throttle response, and shift paddles for greater driver engagement. While the drivetrain remains unchanged, the revised B48 engine now delivers 201 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, offering more punch, especially in the mid-range and during 1-2 upshifts.

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