By: Krish Persaud
October 25, 2026
Special editions can be tricky. Some completely change the character of a car, while others simply dress up something that was already pretty good to begin with. The 2027 MINI Cooper S 3 Door Paul Smith Edition falls firmly into the second camp. It takes the familiar Cooper S, gives it a tasteful designer suit and sends it back out onto the road. The result looks great, but whether the Paul Smith treatment adds enough to justify the extra cost is another question.
Our Inspired White tester immediately made a good first impression. The two-tone colour scheme works particularly well on the compact body, while the black 18-inch Night Flash Spoke wheels might be one of the best parts of the entire package. They suit the car perfectly without making it look like it is trying too hard. That became a recurring theme with the Paul Smith Edition. Despite the designer name attached to it, the exterior is surprisingly understated.
Look closer and there are plenty of details. The roof and mirror caps incorporate Paul Smith-inspired touches, there are unique logos, Nottingham Green wheel centre caps and other little reminders that this is not an ordinary Cooper S. None of it screams for attention, and that will likely appeal to buyers who prefer subtlety. Still, we expected something wearing the Paul Smith name to stand out a little more.
The same feeling continues inside. Nightshade Blue Vescin and Cord upholstery, striped detailing, a unique knitted dashboard, special door sills and even Paul Smith’s trademark rabbit on the floor mats give the cabin some personality. They are fun details and nicely executed, but underneath them it still feels very much like a Cooper S with a few designer touches rather than something fundamentally different.
That is not necessarily a bad thing because the Cooper S itself remains a genuinely entertaining little hatchback. With 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft. of torque, there is enough power to make the MINI feel quick without overwhelming its front-wheel-drive chassis. It still delivers the go-kart character that has long been part of the MINI formula, darting into corners with responsive steering and the kind of compact dimensions that make ordinary roads more entertaining.
The adaptive suspension keeps the car well controlled, although rough Ontario pavement quickly reminds you that this is still a Cooper S. The ride can become stiff and busy over broken surfaces, but that was hardly unexpected. In return, the MINI feels planted and eager when the road begins to twist. It never made us want to abandon the route home in search of the nearest set of switchbacks, but there was little doubt it would happily handle them if asked.
The biggest disappointment came from the transmission, or more specifically, what is missing from it. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission itself feels sporty and does a good job of keeping the Cooper S moving, but there are no paddle shifters. For a car that encourages the driver to have some fun, not being able to grab a paddle and choose a gear when you want feels like an odd omission. The MINI is capable of being playful, but it keeps one hand tied behind the driver’s back.
The brakes, thankfully, fit the personality much better. They feel sporty and responsive, adding confidence without being overly grabby. Together with the steering and compact footprint, they help preserve that familiar MINI character even as the rest of the car has become more polished and technology-focused.
Inside, the 9.4-inch circular OLED display dominates the dashboard and remains one of the most distinctive infotainment setups on the market. It looks impressive and works well enough, but during our week we found ourselves relying more heavily on the head-up display for the information that mattered while driving. That turned out to be a good combination, allowing the large centre screen to handle everything else without demanding constant attention.
The seats are another highlight. They are well bolstered and supportive, making it easy to settle into a comfortable driving position. Practicality is exactly what you would expect from a three-door MINI. Nobody is buying one because they need to move a dining-room set, but there was enough cargo room to handle everything our week threw at it. It is small because it is supposed to be small, not because MINI forgot practicality entirely.
Efficiency was also impressive. Our mostly highway week, with some city driving mixed in, returned 6.2 L/100 km combined, proving that having a little fun does not necessarily mean becoming close friends with every gas station along the way.
Pricing is where the Paul Smith Edition becomes harder to justify. Our tester starts at $44,990 and, with the Premier+ Line, Adaptive Suspension, Driving Assistant Plus and MINI Connected Plus, reached $49,640 before taxes. The special-edition details genuinely look good, and someone who loves Paul Smith or simply wants a more distinctive MINI will probably appreciate them every time they walk up to the car.
We liked it too. The problem is that the best parts of this car are still the things that make a regular Cooper S good. The Paul Smith Edition looks sharper, feels a little more exclusive and adds some clever design touches, but it does not transform the driving experience. If it were our money, we would happily take the Cooper S, pocket the difference and keep enjoying the same go-kart underneath.
