In the Inside Out movies, we get to know protagonist Riley’s emotions and how they help — or don’t help — influence her daily decisions. But what if they had to help her decide on buying a new car, specifically the 2025 Mini Cooper S 3-Door?

Fast-forward a few years; we know how Sadness would feel about new-car prices. What would Fear say about safety features, and how would Anger feel about modern technology? Anxiety is probably stressing over the buying process, while Envy is checking out the competition — does Ennui even care? Meanwhile, Joy is planning some core memories for Riley and her new car.

It’s all going to work out in the end, right? Here’s how I assume this would play out via the Inside Out 2 characters.

—Riley walks into a Mini dealership

Envy: Wow, look at all the shiny new cars! Can we drive them all? I know Riley wants the Mini Cooper 3-Door, but check out the 5-Door…or the bigger Countryman…and, ooh, the convertible!

Embarrassment: *punches Sadness in the arm* Punch-buggy, no punch-backs! Wait—that’s not this car, is it?

Sadness: Ouch. Joy, how long do we have to stay here? Look at those prices on all the cars. Riley wants the Mini Cooper S, why didn’t we buy a 2024 model that started at $37,890? This 2025 Mini Cooper S starts at $39,990 before adding all the extra packages and delivery fees and taxes!

Joy: But think of how much fun Riley will have driving this all-new fifth-gen Mini Cooper! Oh, I’m sure all her friends will love it because it’s just so her. It’s so unique, just like her, and this Ocean Wave Green is totally worth the extra $600. Isn’t it, Ennui?

Ennui: Meh.

Anxiety: But isn’t it too small? What if it blows over in the wind? What if someone hits her because they can’t see her? Have you seen the size of some of those SUVs on the roads right now? Wait, is this an SUV or hatchback?

Ennui: SUV. Hatchback. Coupe. What’s the difference these days?

2025 Mini Cooper S 3-DoorPhoto by Renita Naraine

Disgust: Those other SUVs are so ugly. Have you seen an SUV coupe? This one is probably the least hideous of all, and at least it’s not as big and bulky. Plus, despite its smaller stature, it’ll definitely stand out in a crowd and all eyes will be on our Riley.

Envy: Is it too small? It only has a length of 3,877 mm (152.6 inches) and a height of 1,432 mm (55.7 inches); surely there are other options, possibly better ones? And Riley has so many judgmental friends, what will they think of this Mini car?

Joy: They’ll think there may only be four seats in this vehicle, but it’s just enough space to be nice and cozy, and close to the ones you love.

Anxiety: How long do you think she’ll have this car? What if she needs to fit car seats and kids?

Anger: Ugh. Kids. Look at how tight that opening is; it will definitely be tough to fit a big forward-facing car seat back there, and don’t even get me started on a rear-facing one that will just hog all the rear space and create limited legroom for the passenger sitting in front of the car seat. Look! Just look at that Millennial Mom struggling to fit a car seat in for a test drive. It’s like she’s playing a frustrating game of Tetris; she’s flipping that seat upside-down to make it fit inside.

Joy: The front passengers get heated seats, though. Aren’t they lucky? And besides, once that car seat is in, she won’t have to take it out…hopefully.

2025 Mini Cooper S 3-Door rear seats
2025 Mini Cooper S 3-DoorPhoto by Renita Naraine

Anxiety: But what about when the kid gets too big for a car seat and needs a booster? Then, all of a sudden, they don’t even want a ride from their parents any more because they’re off to university to make new friends with new cars. And then—

Sadness: And they’ll never come home again, wahhhhh.

Joy: Well, that took a rather quick turn for the worse. Let’s get back on track. For Riley’s current lifestyle — no kids, no other major financial responsibilities — I think this would be a great option. She’s really into road-tripping right now, and while there isn’t a whole lot of cargo space, only 211 L, she can always fold down the back seats to open it up to a more usable 731 L. 

Anxiety: But can she even afford to travel right now? Gas prices are so high!

Joy: The Mini Cooper 3-Door S is rated to get an average of 7.5 L/100 km in combined highway and city driving. That’s not bad.

Envy: But it’s not great either! It won’t be as good as the E or SE. This 3 Door is going to have an electric powertrain, and it’s supposed to feel like an electric go-kart. Do we wait for something cooler?

Guitar in cargo space of 2025 Mini Cooper S 3-Door
2025 Mini Cooper S 3-DoorPhoto by Renita Naraine

Ennui: Who cares?

Fear: We can’t wait! Riley needs a new car now! Remember two years ago when she was on the train and that handsome guy asked for her phone number? It’s a scary world out there, people.

Joy: Off topic, again. We can talk about Riley’s boyfriend another time. This small car has a 2.0L I4 that makes 201 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque

Embarrassment: This car is powered by a horse? I thought that was a Mustang.

Disgust: Keep up, big guy. This definitely isn’t the most powerful car, but Riley doesn’t need something crazy, she doesn’t go to the race track anymore. That Millennial Mom is back from her test drive and said it drives a bit bumpy. No one wants that. It’s got to have some redeeming qualities, otherwise why would Mini still be offering this little car?

Nostalgia: Wow, look at the inside! Despite being far more modern, it still keeps so much of the original Minis’ essence and popular traits.

Ennui: OK, Boomer.

Fear: Where is the gauge cluster? Isn’t this 9.4-inch circular screen distracting? How does it even work? Why is it so bright? Do we even know how to start this car?

Sadness: Sure, just turn that little toggle in the middle, below the screen and—

Joy: Voila! Off we go.

Anxiety: Wait, where are we going?

Joy: Figure of speech. Ooh, fancy: a wireless phone charger and the phone can wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Anger: The wireless phone charger is part of the $4,000 Premier+ Line package! An additional $4,000! And why does it keep disconnecting from Android Auto?

Joy: At least it reconnects automatically. Besides, that $4k also adds a surround-view camera to help with parking, as well as power front seats with memory functions. Not to mention, listen to that awesome Harmon/Kardon sound system.

Ennui: There’s also an interior camera and in-car games. Meh. I don’t hate it.

2025 Mini Cooper S 3-Door in-car games
2025 Mini Cooper S 3-DoorPhoto by Renita Naraine

Fear: But why do we need to take selfies in a car? And do we really need to be able to change modes? It’s distracting and it seems like only “Green” mode actually helps a bit with fuel. Everything else looks like it’s just changing the interior appearance a bit—distracting! And where are all the gauges? How do we know how fast the car is going?

Nostalgia: There’s no traditional gauge cluster, but there is something called a “head-up display.” Back in my day…

Joy: You’re right! Back in your day, a head-up display wasn’t invented yet, but it’s actually quite helpful here since the main gauge information is displayed on that centre screen and not directly in front of the driver.

Anger: There’s got to be a simpler way to display that much information. This screen is cluttered and confusing and Spike, the voice-activated pup on the screen, isn’t always listening or acting on command.

Disgust: And it’s so cold in here, but the climate control settings are all within the touchscreen and not as easily accessible as actual buttons. I hope everyone washes their hands before touching this screen.

Joy: All those things are minor issues. Overall, the 2025 Mini Cooper 3-Door is what some would call “a choice.” It’s definitely an interesting look with limited cargo space and legroom, but it’s just so Riley. Our girl will definitely make some core memories in a quirky car like this one. We’re all just along for the ride.

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