The design, a modernized version of the well-loved original, is classic in its own right, blending new styling techniques with the recognizable features of the past. Its 3 years or 36,000 miles of free maintenance will help reduce the overhead cost of owning a new car, and its BMW build quality gives you reassurance about your Mini’s future.

Despite the extra bracing, the chassis still suffers from cowl shake over rough surfaces and the steering can get lively over seams and jarring bumps in the asphalt, but it maintains its direct feel and mid-corner composure nonetheless.

As a weapon for dissecting the zigs and zags of mountain roads and racetracks, the JCW succeeds marvelously. Compact dimensions make it a good compromise for buyers looking for a city car with a wild side, especially when it maintains the fuel economy numbers of the Cooper S. Parent company BMW’s quality is apparent throughout the interior.