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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  MINI COOPER - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By rosebud13 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I love the MINI, Ive owner it for over a year and have yet to get tired of it. In fact everday I see it it continues to grow on me.

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  Race car - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By Beth - January 15 - 6:16 pm

  I have only had my mini convertiable for a week and it is the best car I have ever owned in my life.. this was a 40th birtday present from my husband and he really knows how to get brownie points, when I drive this car I feel like every road is my racetrack, this car corners on rails, it handles like a dream, it is so much fun to drive, I traded a small suv in for my mini, and i was thought i might feel a little intimated on the road, but it just moves through traffic like a dream.

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  Serious fun - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By MINIguy - January 15 - 2:00 am

  My MINI is quite simply the best car I have ever owned. Reliable, comfortable, and the most fun you can have behind the wheel. Safe, sporty, and handling that has to be experienced to be believed.

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  Cooper S - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By kesinva - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Best car I have ever had! Has the feel of a British sports car with the quality of a beamer.

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  Best Decision - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By Kikapu - January 5 - 3:00 pm

  I owned a BMW M3,Jeeps and a Nissan Xterra. I needed a fuel efficient vehicle for my 70 mile per day commute. My husband I test drove the Toyota Prius and hated everything about it. We then stopped at the Mini dealership- and after a test drive we were hooked. I will never be without a Mini again. Gas mileage runs 38-40 mpg and it is an absolute joy to drive.

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  The all mighty MINI - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By E-money - December 31 - 3:20 pm

  This car is a lot of fun but it comes with a lot of quirks too. The overall design (in and out) is smooth and pleasing to look at. We have the Racing Pulley accesory which adds horsepower and creates an intoxicating turbo sound when u punch the gas. The only real complaints I have with this car is the fact that with the run flat tires it rides severely stiff. The second is the reliability, from one day to the next the car will act strange (engine sounds, random jumps in electric). But never the less if you are looking to buy one I would highly reccomend it!

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  Perfect City Car - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By siddha - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The Mini has been an absolute dream to drive and own. Its performance and handling on tough NYC roads is fabulous, and although Ive read some reviews that complain about its power, Ive never found it lacking in the least. Additionally, the quality of the interior and exterior design is excellent. I couldnt be happier with the purchase.

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  Beyond Expectations - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By grape8 - December 22 - 4:33 pm

  I could not be happier after living with this car for 9 months. Performance and comfort is exceptional. Great gas mileage (34MPG) with more than enough HP. Fun to drive, Everything works the way its supposed to. I would definitely buy again.

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  I love my MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By carster - December 22 - 10:00 am

  My experience with my MINI has been the best experience I have ever had with a vehicle. I grew up in a car family, My fauther ownes several dealerships, and I have driven just about everything under the SUN. It is rare for me to keep a car longer than six months but I dont plan on giving this car up any time soon.

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  Joy! Utter Joy! - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By cj - December 21 - 8:56 pm

  I traded in my BMW X3 for the Cooper S. I got so much more than fuel efficiency, which was my initial goal. I totally pimped it out! It is a joy to drive and it is solid! I was amazed at how well it is built and how solid it feels. BMW got it right! The turbo is quick, seamless and no turbo lag. The sound system is killer. The "bun warmer" seats are toasty on those chilly Colorado evenings when I like to drive with the "way cool" double moonroof opened to the max. The styling makes me smile when I drive it and others smile when I cruise by. It corners like a dream. My husband is 64" and loves this car. He has a brand new BMW 328XI and I cant get him to leave my MINI alone!