Most infotainment systems aren’t very fun. They do their jobs, sometimes well, getting you the information you need. Nothing more, nothing less. But in the true spirit of Mini, engineers went above and beyond with the new Cooper’s infotainment system. It’s not just a warmed-over BMW iDrive with a round screen (although, it does use the same software), it’s more fun than that.
The first thing that jumps out at you is the center screen—how could it not? A massive 9.4-inch-diameter circular display occupies most of the center console. At least it looks pretty. Whereas Mini’s previous circular screen had thick bezels surrounding it, this one has a much slimmer, cleaner black surround. And being an OLED display, the graphics are crystal clear—clearer than most alternatives.
| Quick Specs | 2025 Mini Cooper S |
| Touchscreen | 9.4 Inches |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless |
| Voice Control | Yes |
| Subscription Costs | None |
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Touch responsiveness is quick, but there’s some lag when you dig deeper into certain menus. The home screen is exceptionally busy, too. There’s a small menu bar at the base of the screen for quick access to things like climate control, audio, and more. But other options like phone connectivity, range, and traffic-sign recognition are littered about haphazardly. The climate control functions are baked into the screen, too, with less-than-intuitive sliders. Big strike against.
The problem is that the Cooper in question really only has one screen. The massive circular display doesn’t come with a corresponding digital instrument cluster. Instead, you get a tiny, pop-up head-up display that isn’t nearly as intuitive. It projects a few basic functions, but that’s about it; probably why there are so many options scattered onto the home screen.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto do come standard, which is a big plus. Unfortunately, due to the circular nature of the screen, CarPlay and Android Auto are confined to a small-ish rectangular display with dead space on all four sides. Same with the rearview camera.
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Pros: Looks Great, Crisp Graphics, Tons Of Fun Features
At least the navigation looks good. It takes up the entirety of the circular screen, bless, while scrolling is seamless and landmarks are easy to find. Opt for the Iconic trim (like the one tested here) and it adds standard augmented-reality navigation, which is pretty nifty. The front-facing camera shows you the road ahead with arrows and markers projected onto the screen.
Apart from some clunkiness, Mini’s infotainment system is at least extremely colorful, looks great, and comes with a ton of features. You can customize the home screen in multiple shades, textures, and graphics, and there are even lights projected behind the display that look cool at night. Digging into the various menus reveals even more quirks.
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Click on the climate control screen, for example, and a Union Jack is used to control airflow. Neat. There’s a virtual doggy assistant named Spike, rather than some nameless AI. And when you toggle the drive mode selector—er, Experiences selector—each of the various drive modes has its own unique interface and sound. Select “Go-Kart” mode and there’s a “Woohoo!” through the speakers, similar to what you might hear in Mario Kart.
Wireless charging comes standard on the Cooper S, and the charging surface is more than big enough to fit any-sized phone. It even has a little strap that holds your smartphone in place for when you’re putting the car through its paces. If you do want to plug in, the two USB-C ports right up front are easy to reach.
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Cons: Cluttered Home Screen, Tiny Phone Projections, Some Lag
In terms of safety, the Cooper S with the Iconic trim is loaded to the brim. Many of the same advanced features like an overhead 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and even Assisted Driving Plus—which offers hands-free parking—all carry over from BMW’s more premium products. They’re standard on the Iconic trim but cost $1,500 extra on lower trims. And in the US, at least, there are no subscription offerings other than Sirius XM satellite radio.
Mini’s infotainment system isn’t perfect. The home screen is littered with too many options, the phone projection is too tiny, and there’s some lag. But the crystal-clear graphics and circular display make this one of the prettiest screens to look at. And in true Mini style, at least it’s fun.
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Jeff Perez / Motor1
