The standard seats are firm and supportive. The sport seats are more receptive, however, longer in seat bottom with higher bolsters. If you prefer seats that you sit in rather than on, opt for the sport seats. Leatherette is standard and it is superb. Cloth is optional at no extra cost. Leather ($1250) is optional for both models.

The front seats slide and lift out of the way to allow rear passengers into the back of this two-door hatchback, and they return to the original position. That makes loading to capacity quick and easy. The seats have recliner levers on both sides for convenience. The rear seats are surprisingly roomy. Legroom is tight, but with a little cooperation from those in front two adults can travel short distances in comfort. There's plenty of headroom and the rear seats are scooped out and provide good support. Rear seats are split and fold down for cargo versatility.

Mini's interior is stylish, modern, and exudes quality. Materials and shapes are as cheery as sunshine and balloons and as now as a new magazine. Prominent circles set the design statement. That large circle in the center of the dash, equally visible to anyone in the car, is the speedometer. The positioning was borrowed from the Mini of old and might seem a tad precious to those who don't smile in recollection. A racy round tachometer is perched like an add-on immediately before the driver's eyes and tilts with the adjustable steering column. Toggle switches with little guards reflect the older Mini while looking very today, and operate power windows, power locks, front and rear fog lamps and the anti-skid system. A pair of cup holders immediately in front of the shifter will hold grande cappuccinos from Starbucks if you squeeze them gently past the bottom edge of the dash.

The Mini interior is full of clever details. The optional automatic climate controls are shaped like the Mini logo, for example. The standard HVAC controls are attractive and work well, though the mode selector knob lacks the nice feel of the fan knob. Radio buttons are small, but are easy to understand and operate.

The dash is neat and firm and has a high-quality leather feel to it. We like the trim on the front of the dash of the standard Cooper, but we're not sure we like the finish on the plastic trim that adorns the dash and doors of the S model. It's designed to look like brushed aluminum, but it looks like your little sister put her sneakers all over it.

The low roofline means you have to stoop to see traffic lights overhead. (Traffic signals are mounted on poles in jolly old England.) Sunroof lovers should love the dual-pane panoramic sunroof ($800). Maybe we're not sunroof lovers. Only mesh covers the glass panels on the inside, letting the sun come streaming in even when you don't want it. Those of us who don't like the sun shining in overhead prefer the solid roof. Plus the metal roof makes a better background for the Union Jack.