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:

• 

  This car isnt for everyone but is fun! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Paulito - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is somewhat of a supercar in that it can outhandle just about anything on the market. Its quick enough for daily driving and will just about more than enough quickness for the average joe. It also has suprising cargo space and it gets great gas mileage. It is certainly worth all the hype and it also worth the extra dollars because of the astounding build quality. Dont let those initial quality reports fool you.

• 

  Perfect Metro Car - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By aileen - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I live, work, and play in Portland OR, which makes the Mini the perfect car for me. There are few activities more satisfying than sneaking around the behemouth SUVs in traffic or squeezing into tiny little parking spots no normal vehicle could manage. Ive had this car for a year and they are an increasingly common site in Portland, but people still comment on it on a near-daily basis. It is impossible for me not to smile when I see it each morning.

• 

  06 MINI Cooper S - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Bilbo Baggins - July 26 - 10:40 am

  This is a daily driver and weekend warrior. It is also called upon for long distance travel duty. The build quality is much better than my old 02 MINI Cooper S. The ride, especially over potholes and expansion joints, has been improved without sacrificing handling. Gearing changes have improved the acceleration. The ECU upgrades have solved several old drivability issues. This is still the most enjoyable vehicle that I have ever owned whether on a 5 hour drive or a weekend at the track. It makes the everyday commute something to look forward to. I can not get into my car without smiling. But, it is not for everone. Because it is only 2 door it is not a great family car. It is difficult to put carseats in the back.

• 

  MY MINI, MY MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Linda Emery - July 24 - 2:00 am

  THE CUP HOLDERS ARE ALL WRONG. INSTALLED AFTERMARKET WHICH HELP THE SITUATION. SO CUP HOLDERS ARE NOW JUST HOLDERS FOR "STUFF". YES WE ALLOW EATING & DRINKING IN OUR BABY. SUN VISORS ARE WAY TOO SHORT, NEED TO BE ABLE LENGTHEN -DOES NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH SHIELDING. WOULD LIKE A BEEP RESPONSE ON THE REMOTE WHEN LOCKING & UNLOCKING.

• 

  GREAT things come in SMALL packages - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By de - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Handles well in all weather. Its very pepppy, and the gas mileage is great. I like it better than the New Beetle I had.

• 

  My New Red Mini - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By My MINI - July 20 - 3:20 pm

  I had to travel about 80 miles to the nearest dealership to see the Mini. It was love at first site! I live in the city where one has to use street parking. Buying a bigger car or SUV would not make my life easier. Since I bought my Mini, I can park where others cant! Its wonderful not to have to drive around to find a parking place. I bought my Mini for its compact size and great gas mileage. I didnt realize I was buying a sports car as well!

• 

  I luv my MINI!!! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By PrincessEgle - July 18 - 2:00 am

  The MINI is awesome. I got it early for my 16th birthday. I dont see a lot of young people drive it, but they should. Its so cute and fun. I get more complements on it than any other car. When I drive people that pull up next to me actually look over, and tell me (or mouth) how great my car is. It fits anywhere, and to contrary there is a lot of room inside. I can fit four people in there so easily, and they always comment on how much butt space there is. Also my mother loves the fact that its so safe. MINIs ROCK!!!

• 

  Not so "mini" - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Raoul - July 16 - 10:00 am

  The Mini Cooper S is called "mini" but is big were it counts! It is also fun to drive. All my friends ask me if they can drive it all the time.

• 

  Happier with my MINI than I was with my BMW 328i - 2017 Mini Clubman
  By John B in LIT - July 15 - 2:57 am

  The Clubman is about the same exterior and interior dimensions as the 3 series BMW. The S has a bit less BHP than the BMW 328, but this is almost unnoticeable and has plenty of power to spare, so dont be dissuaded by the side-by-side figures. The ALL4 provides superior traction in most conditions, which provides an additional level of confidence and safety on slick roads. Although both the BMW and the MINI have run flat tires as standard equipment, MINI offers a donut spare as an option and BMW does not. I would say that the handling of the Clubman is on an (excellent) par with the 3 series, and I actually prefer the MINI. The Clubman also has a panoramic sunroof as an option. The NAV/Entertainment architecture on the MINI is very similar to the BMW i-Drive, so transitioning from a BMW to a MINI is almost seamless. Interior comfort, in my 6 1" opinion, is actually superior in form, fit, and finish to the 3 series Bimmer, and the wagon design with folding rear seats of the Clubman is more practical than a sedan when you have stuff to load (BMW 3 series can be ordered as a wagon, but these are rare on BMW lots in the USA). MINI promotes and lends itself to some very nice individualizations (Stripes, wheels, etc.), so you can easily and economically modify the look of your MINI to make it uniquely "your own," whereas with BMW, you more or less get what you buy/lease. Gas mileage could be better, but these cars inspire sporty driving, so my mileage may be as a result of my own lead foot and not the car. Warranties and maintenance plans are comparable between the MINI brand and the BMW (MINI is owned by BMW), and the MINI service department (at least where I live) is friendly, clean, well stocked, knowledgeable, and first rate with loaner cars available for customers. All this said, I think one of the things I like most about driving a MINI is that they arent as ubiquitous and as cliche as the BMW brand, and its just a hoot to drive at about $8K+ less MSRP than a comparably equipped BMW. If you enjoy driving for the pleasure of driving and dont test drive a MINI Clubman S when considering premium compact cars, then you are shortchanging yourself.

• 

  Happier with my MINI than I was with my BMW 328i - 2017 Mini Clubman
  By John B in LIT - July 15 - 2:57 am

  The Clubman is about the same exterior and interior dimensions as the 3 series BMW. The S has a bit less BHP than the BMW 328, but this is almost unnoticeable and has plenty of power to spare, so dont be dissuaded by the side-by-side figures. The ALL4 provides superior traction in most conditions, which provides an additional level of confidence and safety on slick roads. Although both the BMW and the MINI have run flat tires as standard equipment, MINI offers a donut spare as an option and BMW does not. I would say that the handling of the Clubman is on an (excellent) par with the 3 series, and I actually prefer the MINI. The Clubman also has a panoramic sunroof as an option. The NAV/Entertainment architecture on the MINI is very similar to the BMW i-Drive, so transitioning from a BMW to a MINI is almost seamless. Interior comfort, in my 6 1" opinion, is actually superior in form, fit, and finish to the 3 series Bimmer, and the wagon design with folding rear seats of the Clubman is more practical than a sedan when you have stuff to load (BMW 3 series can be ordered as a wagon, but these are rare on BMW lots in the USA). MINI promotes and lends itself to some very nice individualizations (Stripes, wheels, etc.), so you can easily and economically modify the look of your MINI to make it uniquely "your own," whereas with BMW, you more or less get what you buy/lease. Gas mileage could be better, but these cars inspire sporty driving, so my mileage may be as a result of my own lead foot and not the car. Warranties and maintenance plans are comparable between the MINI brand and the BMW (MINI is owned by BMW), and the MINI service department (at least where I live) is friendly, clean, well stocked, knowledgeable, and first rate with loaner cars available for customers. All this said, I think one of the things I like most about driving a MINI is that they arent as ubiquitous and as cliche as the BMW brand, and its just a hoot to drive at about $8K+ less MSRP than a comparably equipped BMW. If you enjoy driving for the pleasure of driving and dont test drive a MINI Clubman S when considering premium compact cars, then you are shortchanging yourself.