Unique, and eye-catching, retro and modern. Abundant color choices, and contrasting roof and graphic treatments as well.
33-35 mpg in routine driving, along with 140mph+ top speed? Amazing. Turbo torque in top gears, too, all from 1.6l
"drives like a go-kart" is over used, but very applicable. More performance than can be used legally, fun for autosports to make use of all it's capable of.
A key attraction is the ability to a la carte almost all features; heated *cloth* seats, without the sunroof, but with the best stereo? Just check the boxes. MINI offers packages of features (at some cost savings) but doesn't make you buy a nav system just to get leather seats, and so on.