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:

• 

  Mini = Fun - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By gabe - March 14 - 1:13 pm

  I have had my Mini for about a year and a half. The car has been fantastic, perfectly reliable, a real blast to drive and is quite efficient. I had debated long and hard about getting the S version; however, I have no regrets. The car is super quick, very powerful, and I get about 38-42 MPG depending on how fast drive.

• 

  This car is awesome - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By habganelia - March 12 - 10:00 am

  it is so cool it is perfect in every way

• 

  7670226 - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By 7670226 - March 11 - 4:36 pm

  We dumped our Jetta for a Mini, and it was a great decision. It feels so exhilirating to ride. The vroom of the 1.6-liter four makes me want to go faster. The transmission, though is a different story. But there is so little body lean, it corners perfectly, why get an S model if this is enough? The rear seat is surprisingly roomy for a car this small. Most controls are simple to use. The outside is just adorable. The white goes perfectly with the black roof. Driving lamps help at night. Its sad that there isnt enough room for us and our luggage, so we cant go to Chicago with it. But its so much fun just to drive through the city. Its so playful.

• 

  Not quite sure how I feel - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By Not quite sure - March 7 - 9:56 pm

  I bought my MiniS because I wanted better gas mileage, but so far Ive had 3 flats and one shattered windshild from a stone on the fwy so it hasnt been all that economical. Also, the dealer added $3000 to the MSR b/c "they are so much in demand." Well, now theyre not in demand and I paid quite a bit more than I should have. Also, Im a little afraid to take it on long trips b/c I always seem to come back needing a new tire. Yeah, I do get lots of compliments like "Youre car looks like its smiling at you!" Or, "youve got a cutie!" Thats nice, but Im seriously thinking of trading it for a RAV 4-- more room, better tires, more comfortable on long trips.

• 

  The - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Kooper S - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Get over the size. Yeah ,so its small.BFD--thats what makes er rock--- but 6 airbags ,alphabet soup brakes systems and a 4star crash rating help to alleviate safety concerns for the Ralph Naders(I heard she didnt get a 5star because the front bumper was too stiff if you hit a pedestrian!). Nimble, surprises others in traffic, constantly get asked about her.FAST. I sold an Audi TT 180 Quattro Coupe to go MINI. This is more fun and I dont feel guilty about the cost compared to the TT.

• 

  2006 MINI Cooper S 2dr Convertible - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By bean - February 28 - 12:53 pm

  I love this car! It is zippy as heck :).

• 

  Its a love/hate relationship - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By bebonic84 - February 28 - 9:53 am

  Since I bought the car in Nov Ive had to make the trip to the dealer four times. They had to replace the hood latch, headlights, seatbelt and power steering pump. When the power steering pump started to go it made this tremendously loud noise. So loud Id have to turn off my car in the bank drive thru. Its on its way into the shop this week actually to have the front end looked at. The tires were so incredibly expensive that I had to go out and buy run of the mill tires just to make it through this winter.

• 

  Best Car Ever - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Ursula - February 18 - 10:00 am

  The last car I had was a Mazda Millenia. It was an old persons car. Before that, I had a Miata and before that a new Beetle. This MINI is by far the best, funnest, cutest, zippyest, most wonderful car ever.

• 

  Great Car For The Money - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By lee - February 16 - 8:56 pm

  The Mini Cooper is the best value for the most car on the market. We chose the basic model, since the prospect of two 50-year-old women going 140 miles per hour in Boca Raton, Fl, seemed a wee bit silly. What we found was a car with all the safety features of BMW and a length to width ratio that makes the car stick to the road like a fly to a glue strip. Then there is the great gas milage, exceptional sound system, stylish good looks and a real backseat. We are in heaven. I highly recommended this car for anyone who wants a sporty convertible for safe, fun, "normal" driving. If you want to race, go spend four-to-five times the money.

• 

  Better than expected - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By C.C.Rider - February 16 - 10:00 am

  I have put over 1000 miles since receiving the car a week and a half ago. This is without a question one of the most fun driving cars on the road AT ANY PRICE! Be prepared to be the most popular guy in town; you will be stopped and questioned, smiled at repeatedly, and given thumbs up wherever you go. It seems as though everyone likes the car, regardless of age, sex or social status. The build quality is supurb, and it drives like a dream. The car is full of character and spirit, qualities lacking in most modern cars. My greatest fear is that BMW will mess with the design and add more useless features in the future. Get one now, quick!