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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  The biggest grin - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Asher Schaffer - October 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive. You will find yourself with a huge grin on your face that lasts for hours even after you are done. The low end torque could be better, but if you keep it above 2500 RPM you are in for a good time. I would recommend going for the anthricite interior as the silver looks a little too plasticy IMHO. Some things (like the auto AC) I could do without, but the reason to get this car is because you like to drive. The stock stereo in the US is pretty good, but you should replace the speakers if you are really concerned with the quality.

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  Fun car to drive - 2013 Mini Cooper
  By par404 - October 13 - 9:41 pm

  I had larger cars in the past and decided to venture out for a smaller fun car. The MINI is all this and more. Hugs the road with great handling, great fuel economy, tightly built and dependable. The car takes premium fuel. The dealer had indicated you can get away with regular or mid-grade. Do not try it. You will lose the driving performance you hear in some other reviews. Otherwise, do not regret buying it and still having fun after one year.

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  Great Car - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By JMS - October 1 - 11:43 pm

  Im hooked. Even my daughter that wanted me to get a Saturn Sky is glad to have this car. It is true what people say, it really does handle like a go-cart. Super responsive and I just hit 1200 miles with a life to date MPG of 35.9. Power and handling are the most obvious features of this car. I will own a MINI from now on.

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  Unique, classy, practical and fun - 2017 Mini Countryman
  By Bruce Bolen - September 30 - 5:08 am

  Its an emotional car and a blast to drive. I knew when I ordered a Mini, it would likely have problems based on Minis track record. The sales experience was dysmal; the dealer is 171 miles from my front door. I asked the salesman to pick us up at the airport nearest the dealer, 20 minutes away. He refused. We got lost on the city trolley system and asked the dealer receptionist to have someone pick us up, which they finally did. The salesman had all the paperwork wrong (after Id given specific email information), and, after the third try and 1.5 hours we were on our way. At the first rest stop, my wife opened the passenger door and a trim piece fell in her lap. The second day, the infotainment system had long delays, there was static in the speakers and the navi froze. Later, the heads-up display developed a loud clicking noise while retracting, and the rear hatch would come open by itself when nobody was around the car. Mini USA was more than accommodating by providing a flatbed four two 342-mile round trips from my home to the dealer, one to diagnose the infotainment problem, and a second to make the repairs (after waiting nine weeks to get a new head unit). The service writer at the dealership who handled everything over this two-month period was also exceptional. I wanted a Mini Countryman really, really badly, so I have never waivered from loving the car right from the start. After owning over 35 new cars and reading every review known to man, I knew I wanted and loved the new Countryman. The car is economical, power is adequate, the paddle shifters are very intuitive to use, and the outstanding 8-speed auto is always in the gear you want. The steering is exceptional, the brakes very solid, and the sport seats are very comfortable. The standard sunroof in this car has less draft and minimal buffeting....better tan Ive experienced in Mercs and BMWs. The suspension is very well sorted out, providing an outstanding ride/handling compromise. Overall MP g is 31 in mixed driving and 34 highway on mid-grade fuel. In spite of my horrific sales experience and all the electronic issues, I still highly recommend this delightful and wonderful car which is now 100% operational with 5,400 miles

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  love to drive my mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By windo29 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Mini since July and have already put almost 8000 miles on it. I got the car because I love the looks and the price was not bad either. I took in to great consideration the fuel mileage as well. So far the car has been great. It is like driving a race car all the time. The gears are very short and the clutch lets out at the floor so that makes for a great take off. People wonder about space, they are little but I have 20 month old little girl so there for I have a car in the back of mine.

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  Fun to drive!!!!! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Big Don - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Im 66" tall and the Mini fits me fine.Plenty of room to shift without my knees hitting the steering wheel. Handles like a go cart. Rides like a 3 series BMW.

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  MCS is Junk - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By randy - September 24 - 8:40 pm

  We love to drive the 06 Mini Cooper S! Trying adding a stiffer rear sway-bar and the "fun to drive goes off the chart". But Minis customer service and reliability make this car a piece of junk, a $26,000.00 piece of junk! When the dealership cant resolve an issue you call BMW/Mini and they give you more of the same! Then an employee tells you,"If you think there is something wrong the car why dont you sell it!" With less then 4,000 miles on the car! Now that will make your day! So fun to drive only goes so far. And the Mini has run out of road! One of the issues here is the passenger seat air bag sensor cycles on and off. If God forbid we are in accident an the air bags dont deploy someone could die! Look else where!

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  best car ever had - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By ed kogan - September 24 - 2:00 am

  handels like a golf cart

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  Little Hot Chili - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By d - September 22 - 1:40 am

  This is the best car to be resurrected. Unlike many movies, this sequel is equally as great as the original.

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  A blast to drive - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Ed - September 19 - 1:16 am

  I test drove a 2004 MINI for the first time, just for kicks - when I accidentally took a corner at 45 mph, I was hooked. The 05 model has more horses, some better styling, and even more options. I picked up an S (chili red, white roof and mirrors) with Premium, Sports, and Cold Weather packages (for use in Chicago), and the Harmon Kardon sound system. Short version: I love it. Handling is great; acceleration, while not the best, is plenty of fun for a daily driver. The size and maneuverability make the MINI perfect for parallel parking and highway passing. My only major worry is that somebody will drive into me while smiling at my car!