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 Fun Fun! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By mini cooper - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Extremely fun to drive, excellent handling even without the optional sport suspension! At its best on the turns, where most other cars have to slow down, the Mini does it with ease. Definitely an eye catcher, solid built construction, economic. Go drive one, take it on a windy road, and get ready to smile :)

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  one of a kind - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By sonofyork56 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This is the car you want if you want to be able to snap through the turns, turn some heads and do a lot of smiling without having to bankrupt yourself.

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  Smile! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Sophie - April 1 - 4:26 pm

  I am so lucky to be driving a Mini Cooper S for my first car. I bought it last June and its never going to have another owner. Everytime I drive her, I cant help but smile. The supercharger is fun, and the handling is amazing. I learned to drive on a Buick Park Avenue, so the Mini was a dream. With the back seats down, I can fit my 152cm snowboard. Good cargo space. I autocross with my mini, and its beyond words. Acceleration is good. The auto-manual is a great option! Also, the winter package, Harmon/Kardon sound system, and sunroof are definitely worth the extra money! The runflat tires that came with her are terrible, though. I recommend replacing them as soon as possible.

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  Best Car Ever - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Devin R Pinckard - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I love this car!!!!!! I have owned many different cars over the past years and nothing compares to how much fun this car is. It has a great design, is economical, is sporty, has plenty of power, attracts attention, is exciting and is the best car I will ever own... without a doubt.

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  The most fun car to drive - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Peeweee - March 30 - 8:36 am

  Finally kids are grown - no hockey bags to haul or kids to move to college. This little car is so road hugging and is so responsive - it is just the most fun Ive had in 35 years of driving. Not a day goes by that someone doesnt stop me and ask "what is that car?" or "do you like it?" This little car gets me high fives when driving down the highway and many smiles at his license plate (PeeWeee). A great brotherhood (or sisterhood) as I get waves from other mini drivers. Often I come out of the mall or grocery store and find another mini parked right next to me. Love to surprise large men who think they will be cramped inside the car. Wonderful little car I will have for years!

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  MINI Cooper-The best in its class! - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By warren - March 28 - 8:40 am

  So far, my MINI is winner. As all other reviewers have commented on-- its a blast to drive! Test drove the other subcompacts and MINI stood out from the pack. Cornering and handling are outstanding with no body roll. Braking is very responsive and fuel economy is excellent averaging about 31mpg combined. Getting 44mpg+ on the Hwy with a light foot in 6th gear. Styling is one of a kind. Base Cooper still nicely equipped without a lot of added options. Interior fit and finish is impressive. Ride is a bit firm, but still in a fun kind of way, although this can get tiring on long drives I must admit. Watch the road dips as this car sits low to the ground.

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  Worth the wait - 2011 Mini Cooper
  By minidoc - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Traded my Buddy 06 dark Gray s conv (which I messed up trying to modify an automatic) 2011 is a total beast, horizon blue, subdued but classy ( no racing strips on this one) feel like "James Bond " (keep dreaming), premium package a bit too much chrome, probably swap side mirror caps for blue 06 felt like a toy, this machine is the real deal, powerful, stable, a blast to drive in sport mode ( feels like a BMW/ Audi sport car with mini quirkiness. So Im in Boston w/ first new convertible on the block, sure to be a head Turner

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  mini #1 - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By bbc - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Drive like a go cart on steroids!! Once you drive one you will have to buy one!

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  SSSSweet - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By AllenRD - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I just love this car. I dont know how some here can give it a 1?, give me a break. Great quality and fun to drive, and all for under 20k.

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  What a car - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Franky2k - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I test drove the S on march and I thought it had great handling and power. Now that I have one and Ive had some time to motor around I think its a superb car. No problems here. Excellent.