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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  MINI Luv - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By cynmo - October 15 - 7:40 pm

  The MINI handles like a dream. I have driven in icy, snowy, rainy conditions with absolutely NO problems or complaints. It has excellent get-up-and-go (I own a Cooper S.) My 62" passenger travels in complete comfort with PLENTY of legroom and headroom (in the front seat.) I love it, love it, love it!

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  What fun! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By minicoopers4me - October 5 - 10:00 am

  This is without doubt one of the most fun to drive vehicles I have ever had. It handles, it accelerates and it gets over 30 miles to the gallon. I have to fight with my wife over who gets to drive it. Its looks seem to have a Love it or Hate type of quality with people I meet, and you do meet people with it. Be prepared to tell people what it is and where they can get one!

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  The Ride of Your LIFE - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By DEEZNUTZ - September 28 - 4:23 am

  The 2003 MINI Cooper S is incredible! The styling is on par with exotic cars (Im the only one in the area with one and I get stares all the time). The headlights are awesome. I love the button posistions. When Im in 6th gear it the Cooper S still has great acceleration.

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  Oh what a feeling!!! MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Chrispy - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Best Car I have owned!

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  Interior bug dont bug me too much - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Jim - September 9 - 6:26 pm

  I cant say enough about the tight handling in this car. It sticks like glue to the road no matter how hard I push it Its a feeling of confidence that the car will do what I ask of it. Yes it is plagued with multiple interior bugs but you cant have it all all the time.

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  2005 Mini S - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Mini S - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Let me first say that I love my Mini. I have never had another car that I felt this way about. I love the feel of it, the size, the leather interior, the ability to get an entire shopping cart in the back. It is fun to drive and has the power I want to get around. I have had some major mechanical problems: rear main seal replaced at 34K and now lost a valve at 39K. Seems problems that shouldnt come up at the mileage.

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  Perfection? - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Tollag - September 3 - 2:00 am

  When I first sat in the Mini Cooper, in the mid 70s, I was blown away at the abundance of space! When I first heard it was being re-designed, and introduced into the U.S., I had to order it! After waiting 3 months, to that final test drive, I nearly had a heart attack. The low end power was incredible! Then, when I got behind the wheel of the "Big Dog" the Mini Cooper S, I knew it was for me. Everything fromt he ample space to the incledible German Engineering made me fall in love all over again, and all for a moderate price! It truly is an amazing car! I wish the "Fun to drive" column didnt end at 10!

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  Best Car for Singles - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Dunphyj - September 2 - 11:30 pm

  ive had my 2007 Mini Cooper S, Lazer Blue with Black roof and bonnet stripes. premium, sport and cold weather package, LSD, bluetooth and nav for about 3 weeks. Yeah that stuff adds a wee bit of weight but this car is by far the best car I have ever owned! I have a manual transmission and the throws are typical BMW throw length. Best fuel economy ever! I average 33.2mpg currently at 2240 miles. The ride could be rough for some, but Im a sporty guy so its perfect for highway passing and back roads. Trunk is small but perfect for if its just two

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  its love - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By this car is fun - August 30 - 2:00 am

  i bought the mini just about a year ago now. i thought it would grow out on me and i would have to sell it. not happeneing. this car rocks. it blasts to 60 faster than you can say "holy mini" and corners like its on rails. a great ecnomy sports car.

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  Born to Corner - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By no names available? - August 30 - 2:00 am

  S is the best, dont waste your time with the base model. Get all of the options you can.