Audi S1 Vs Mini Cooper S - If Audi Brought The S1 To The US, Would It Be Game Over For MINI?

The Ford Fiesta ST is our small hot hatch champ by a troublingly huge margin, it won last year’s contest and came within a whisker of taking top honours again this time round.

In contrast, the Mini Cooper S and Audi S1 have both been somewhat damned by faint praise. Both have their likeable sides. Both are pleasantly premium, and easy to imagine living with. Both are competent and undeniably quick, too. But where the Fiesta frequently dazzles, they tend to fizzle out.

Between them, they share the last two positions in the affordable fun countdown. However, in this case, not quite measuring up to the standard isn’t anything to feel ashamed about. Especially as, excluding the Fiesta, these were the cheapest cars on test - and cheap, as the criteria suggests, is good.

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MattDarringer - 7/21/2014 3:35:33 PM

+4 Boost

Given that Mini also has rosy nostalgia going for it, the Audi doesn't stand a chance.

JRobUSC - 7/21/2014 4:22:13 PM

+5 Boost

not according to the review -- the Mini won.

"For us though, the nagging suspicion that you’d paid nearly £7k more [for the S1] to have a bit less fun on the road (where it counts) would rankle too greatly over time.

The Cooper S is not a perfect specimen - as its instant relegation below the Fiesta attests to - but it’s decidedly good value considering the greater refinement, comfort, build quality and maturity now in evidence. Add in the impish grin factor that BMW purposefully makes it easy to find, and there’s no contest."

AutoMotive - 7/22/2014 6:55:46 AM

-1 Boost

mini here in the US is so overpriced after adding a few options it tops $35k which you can buy a fully optioned KIA Optima Limited. We did and never looked back. I know its two different cars but they both were on my wifes list of favorite cars. The Optima turbo is powerful, so comfortable and full of luxury options and came in at $33000. The 10 yr 100k warranty is the best in the industry and so far the car has lived up to all of its hipe over the years. We have a snow white metallic model, dark tinted windows and bought Asanti offset chrome wheels that makes the car pop.

CarCrazedinCali - 7/22/2014 11:34:55 AM

+2 Boost

you just compared a MINI to a Kia Optima? Talk about strange, the Optima won't last and the leather finish will wear off in a year as well as great turbo lag... Not all turbos are alike or build qualities not to mention the agility of a MINI doesn't compare to the Optima, come on!

CarCrazedinCali - 7/22/2014 11:34:56 AM

+2 Boost