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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  Two Thumps Up - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By NJ Mini - April 24 - 6:43 am

  This car has performed beyond my expectations. I have had no problems with the car and have been impressed by its quality, performance and economy. Having driven it for 5 months and over 5,000 miles the car continues to put a smile on my face each time I get behind the wheel.

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  First Months Impressions - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By jppd - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Crisp handling is what we are told that separates Mini Cooper from its competitors. I whole hardily agree. The car has a feeling of being glued to the road. After having been told that 17" wheels and 205/45 were stiff and unforgiven I would say that on our roads in the Pacific Northwest dont exhibit this conclusion. Quality of materials is good, but the facia is quite plasticy. Powerful heated seats are too powerful, but that said your bum and back are toasty after only a minute or two. Im surprised at the auto air conditioning system which seems to be much better than on my 2000 Audi A 6.

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  best small car ever - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By joe smithe - April 17 - 2:00 am

  oh my gosh, if you do not have a car yet, or are planning to get one, this one in the one! its a great buy, awsome packages, etc.

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  My Favorite Car to Date! - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Mom loves Mini - April 13 - 12:03 pm

  The Mini is excellent in the snow. Forget the 4-wheel big SUV, this little car handles the snow better than any other car I owned. In the summer, the Mini begs to be driven on the open road. Also, I have yet to find a parking spot that I cant fit into. I went to New York in the winter. At first the parking garage said there was no room, but when they saw my Mini, they found room for that car! I have yet to use my husbands truck to go grocery shopping. My Mini holds it all and then some!! I have yet to have a bad experience with my car. Just seeing my car makes me smile and I say "Mini, mini, mini!!"

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2013 Mini Cooper
  By theredrover - April 10 - 12:29 am

  Ive never fallen head over heels for a car before, but my MINI has certainly charmed me and then some. Ive owned my Cooper Hardtop (automatic transmission) for almost a full year and I can say I will never own any other car than a MINI. Not only has it been extremely reliable, but the handling on this car is amazing. When people say their car "hugs the road," they really have no idea what that means until they drive a Cooper. Taking a hard turn at 40 mph feels no different than at 10 mph in another car. I feel safer in my MINI than I do in any other car Ive driven. I actually get a higher mpg than listed here. So far I average about 42mpg highway and 38 mpg on surface streets.

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  Cant Stop Drivin this Car! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By SMiniGoes - April 9 - 10:00 am

  You cant possibly have more fun on 4 wheels than in this car. After test driving the regular Cooper, we had the good fortune of landing an S. What a pocket rocket! Handles with such precision and other than the obvious rough ride over the bumps, this car does not feel like a little car. Its so solid and comfortable. If you cant enjoy this car, get a Camry and live a boring and predictable life! Motor On!

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  Love the - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Colin Finlay - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought Cooper "S” for fun and it is not disappointing! Whilst other cars may have higher performance figures for acceleration and grip it is the USABILITY of the performance that makes this stand out from ANY vehicle I have owned in the past. What is amazing about the “S” is that the average driver (like me) can easily make use of the package. On a twisty English country road a Jaguar driver just gave up and waved me through – effortless fun Be warned you will be smitten!!

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  I Love My MINI - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Scott Otte - April 7 - 6:26 pm

  I have driven My MINI Cooper S Convertible 16,500 miles in four months. It is hard to imagine anything more fun that you can do with your clothes on! I had one minor problem with the heater, but the dealership fixed it without any hassle. Other than that the car has been a dream It handles like the go cart is constantly compared to, and has plenty of get up and go with the extra horse power and new gearing in the 2005 model.

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  Super Cooper - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By mantawayne - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I drive this vehicle daily on the German autobahn. There are no speed limits, I generally cruise at 110 MPH. I recently entered an amatuer drag race with professional timing equipment and clocked a 14.4 second quarter mile from a dead stop. I also have not found a vehicle that can be purchased in the U.S. that can keep up with me on winding roads. Although it is not a family car, I can take my wife and baby on a day trip with stroller. I was also able to pack complete camping gear for a weekend in the back with the seats down, to include large cooler, tent, folding chairs and two crates of dried foods and miscellaneous beverages.

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  Flying the Cooper - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By heydarwin - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I test drove over a dozen cars in the $15-20000 range and the Mini Cooper was the only one that really stirred my soul. Sticks to the road like velcro, coolest looking car on the road, hard to believe you get BMW quality at this price. If you can live with the tiny trunk, ours is the "commuter" car of the household) its a fantastic car. I have left work after a really bad day and had a wicked smile on my face by the time I got home in the Cooper