The other day, we were fortunate enough to take a Mini Cooper S out for a spin, in order to bring you the first review on Driver’s Life. The 2007 Cooper S has undergone some changes for 2007. It boasts some new exterior and interior styling, a new engine and a modified suspension. If you look hard enough (and you may have to squint) you’ll notice that it’s taller than the preceding model in order to meet new pedestrian-impact standards that require a minimum of four inches of space between the top of the hood and the top of the engine. This year’s model is also slightly longer than the preceding Cooper S, featuring a sport suspension with firmer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.

Mini Cooper S - Starting MSRP $21,200 – $25,400

First impression:
When I climbed into the car for the first time I couldn’t help but notice the refinement of the interior. Everything from the stitching on the seats, to the plastics used on the dash suggested to me that this was not a cheaply made vehicle. Though the seats in the model I test drove were not clad in leather, the fabric felt rugged and durable, and the seats were bolstered holding my medium sized frame in snug and secure. One thing I noted was that the windshield offered a somewhat narrow view of the road compared to other more conservatively styled vehicles. The seating position felt comfortable, and although the dashboard elements were layed out in an unconventional manner, I didn’t find them terribly difficult to get used to.

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