Overview & Reviews

Few cars are as instantly recognizable as the Mini. Loved for its diminutive dimensions and cheerful good looks, the British-born car has inspired passionate devotion both in the U.S. and abroad. The brand was briefly discontinued, but was revived in 2002 with help from BMW. Successfully paying homage to the original Mini Cooper of the 1960s, the reincarnated Cooper combines an athletic, BMW-engineered chassis with a space-efficient interior and a generous standard features list.

The history of the Mini make began in 1959. The original Mini car was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in England and its mission was to be a lightweight, agile four-passenger car that took up minimal space. In a sense, the brand was born out of necessity. The United Kingdom was subject to fuel rationing in the wake of the Suez crisis, and British consumers clamored for vehicles that offered optimum fuel efficiency.

The car was originally sold under BMC's Austin and Morris brands; the Mini name didn't make an appearance until 1961. Although it had just 34 horsepower, the Mini was the ideal urban car and proved popular in crowded European cities. In 1961, John Cooper, a man who built Formula One racecars, put his magic hands on the Mini and the result was the ferocious Mini Cooper. His Cooper S model had (at 76 hp) more than double the output of the standard Mini. That infusion of power, along with suspension tweaks and some really good driving, had Mini winning the Monte Carlo Rally four years in a row (1964-'67). The marque landed on American shores in 1962.

The '60s truly was the decade of the Mini. New variations on the car's theme came with the introduction of vehicles like the Mini Pickup and the Mini Moke, a vehicle that resembled a quirky cross between a Mini and a Jeep. The car's abbreviated proportions are even rumored to have played a part in sparking a fashion trend; the miniskirt raised hemlines and became emblematic of an era. Mini motorcars tore up the asphalt on the silver screen, with the brand's appearance in the 1969 film The Italian Job. By the end of the decade, more than 2 million Mini motorcars had been produced. Sadly, the vehicle was pulled from the United States in 1968, in the wake of strict new emissions regulations.

Though no longer available in the U.S., Mini remained in production in Europe through the '70s and '80s. By the mid-'80s, more than 5 million Minis had been produced worldwide. In 1994, the brand was acquired by the BMW Group. The marque went on hiatus in 2000, but was resurrected (and brought back to American shores) in 2002 with the launch of the entry-level, front-drive Mini Cooper hatchback. Thoroughly modern in every way, right down to its BMW-engineered suspension, steering and brakes, the Mini Cooper is sold alongside its cousins at BMW dealerships.

Today, Mini's offerings include various derivatives of the Cooper, including a coupe, a roadster and a convertible; the slightly longer Clubman; high-performance John Cooper Works variants; and even the crossover SUV-inspired four-door Countryman. With such a diverse, fun-loving lineup, it's no wonder that Mini has become one of America's most desirable small car automakers.

User Reviews:

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  Fun, but not reliable or well designed - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Brian - October 5 - 5:00 am

  Owned/driven my car for 15 months. Fun, but not reliable or well designed. Factory options only (no mods). Since owning, in for repairs SIX times (2x for turbo, 1x for audio amp, 1x for sunroof, 1x for tailpipe recall AND 1 week for replacing a factory built too-small transmission motor mount). My windshield has 3 stone chips and 2 big cracks due to stone hits & the high windshield angle. Engine has cold idle issue where it sounds like a diesel truck for 1-3 minutes. If you want a fun around-town car, are willing to overlook flaws/ major issues, can deal with repair trips to out-of-town dealerships (6 in 15 months), then buy this car. As for me, Ill be selling at the end of the warranty.

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  Super fun car - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By m,inimini - September 21 - 5:36 am

  Normally drive a BMW X5 and will still use it when taking out clients. Drive about 75 miles a day and this mini convertable is a gas. The 5 speed manual is perfectly syncronized and the automatic top, which can also be used as a sunroof, is one touch Am already getting over 30mpg in the city and 40 on the highways....but most of all, its FUN

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  06 Hyper Blue Cooper! - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By BK - September 14 - 7:00 pm

  This car screams! I always look forward to driving it, whether on an 800 mile round trip to the mountains, or a 2 mile trip to the store. Acceleration is super, as is braking. Cornering is something to look forward to, as there is no detectable lean, even when pushing what I would call normal "around town" driving. I have never had trouble merging onto the freeway, making that last-minute 3-lane lane change if I have to, or parking. My biggest worry is if someone dings one of the doors. I have the GPS system, which is not only hugely useful, but great fun. It gets twice the mileage of my V-8 SUV, which I keep because its paid off, and sometimes I need to haul wood or dirt - not for a Mini!

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  Enjoyable Ride - 2010 Mini Cooper
  By jekahrn - September 13 - 1:33 pm

  This is a great little car, it has speed, maneuverability,and is comfortable! I drive 3 hrs a day one way to work, and the gas mileage is 40 to 42! I find that Shell gas works the best, any other and the mileage fall to 38. Bluetooth works well and be sure to get the better radio. All in all, a good choice.

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  Rattles? Who cares? - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By SportlineJD - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Well, first let me say that if there is a car out there that is more fun to drive everyday, I dont know what it is. Secondly, Mini is lucky that the car is so loveable... the rattles that this car seems to have already (at 200 miles) would seem unacceptable in a Japanese car. I find myself at the dealer twice already for warranty claims... and yet, I really could care less. THAT is how much fun I am having. The handling is impeccable. The steering feel is excellent. Every nuance of the road is thoughtfully transmitted to the driver. The closest that I have gotten to this level of information is in my Mazda MX- 5 Miata.

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  The only problem is the crowd. - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By kilian - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Great fun to drive. It took a little while to get the hang of the folding seats when someone gets into the back seats. The headlights are great compared to my 1988 VW Quantum synchro stationwagen. Only 250 Miles so far. Wheel rims needed cleaning from brake dust after only 100 Miles. I hope its just from the breaking in period. I love this car, and I hope to have it for many many years.

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  Attention Getter - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Mini-drvr - September 11 - 10:00 am

  This car corners like its on a rail! Go- cart-like handling and roomy interior. (For two passangers) While the front seats are very comfortable, there is little leg room for additional passangers. Gadgets! This car is so cool. Heated seats, headlamp washer jets, on-board computer, retro interior styling just to name a few. Dont purchase this car if you dislike attention. People love the way this thing looks. The 17" rims and low profile run-flat Pirelli tires with the wide stance gives it a bulldog appearance. The "S" model looks aggressive with the hood scoop to feed the super charger.

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  Love My Mini - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By steve - September 10 - 7:06 am

  I was totally bummed when my Alfa was totaled (pun intended) but owning this Mini has made the passing a positive experience. This is the most fun car I have driven in a long time. Even though I didnt get the faster model, it is plenty quick around town. On a recent 4 hour road trip, we couldnt believe the gas mileage we got on the highway going back and forth from NY to DC in one tank of gas! The car cruised effortlessly at 80 mph the whole way and was a comfortable ride.

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  Fun Fun Fun ! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Steve Mowle - September 9 - 9:10 pm

  I have owned 22 cars over the years, many with performance in mind, including Mustang, Camaro, HSV V88, BMW coupe etc, but nothing beats the Mini Cooper S for the sheer fun factor of driving! Have a go!

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  This is a great car! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By LM - September 8 - 8:56 pm

  I want one!!! I wish I could be driving a S convertible today, but, finances would not allow it!! :(