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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  2005 Mini S - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Mini S - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Let me first say that I love my Mini. I have never had another car that I felt this way about. I love the feel of it, the size, the leather interior, the ability to get an entire shopping cart in the back. It is fun to drive and has the power I want to get around. I have had some major mechanical problems: rear main seal replaced at 34K and now lost a valve at 39K. Seems problems that shouldnt come up at the mileage.

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  Spicy Cooper - 2012 Mini Cooper
  By da_wave - September 9 - 12:47 am

  I’ve had my MINI Cooper Hatchback for about 7500 miles and 8 months now. I got just what I wanted when I ordered it. This is just about the perfect City car – it’s small and easy to park, the gas mileage is excellent, it’s super fun to drive (6sp manual!) and handles like a go-kart on steroids. Moves out smartly for something with just 121hp; I think that the 6M is the way to go for the base Cooper without the turbo. For 1 or 2 people just running around town to work, the grocery store, the movies or the mall – it’s hard to beat. It’s just very efficient in every way compared to a minivan or a pickup, unless needed. You can actually fit lots in the back with the seats folded down!

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  Perfection? - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Tollag - September 3 - 2:00 am

  When I first sat in the Mini Cooper, in the mid 70s, I was blown away at the abundance of space! When I first heard it was being re-designed, and introduced into the U.S., I had to order it! After waiting 3 months, to that final test drive, I nearly had a heart attack. The low end power was incredible! Then, when I got behind the wheel of the "Big Dog" the Mini Cooper S, I knew it was for me. Everything fromt he ample space to the incledible German Engineering made me fall in love all over again, and all for a moderate price! It truly is an amazing car! I wish the "Fun to drive" column didnt end at 10!

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  Best Car for Singles - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Dunphyj - September 2 - 11:30 pm

  ive had my 2007 Mini Cooper S, Lazer Blue with Black roof and bonnet stripes. premium, sport and cold weather package, LSD, bluetooth and nav for about 3 weeks. Yeah that stuff adds a wee bit of weight but this car is by far the best car I have ever owned! I have a manual transmission and the throws are typical BMW throw length. Best fuel economy ever! I average 33.2mpg currently at 2240 miles. The ride could be rough for some, but Im a sporty guy so its perfect for highway passing and back roads. Trunk is small but perfect for if its just two

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  its love - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By this car is fun - August 30 - 2:00 am

  i bought the mini just about a year ago now. i thought it would grow out on me and i would have to sell it. not happeneing. this car rocks. it blasts to 60 faster than you can say "holy mini" and corners like its on rails. a great ecnomy sports car.

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  Born to Corner - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By no names available? - August 30 - 2:00 am

  S is the best, dont waste your time with the base model. Get all of the options you can.

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  My Mini - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By safetydriven - August 28 - 11:03 pm

  I love my Mini. We use her in a driving school and the students love driving her. In a Mini, height is not a problem, if the student is short the seat can easily be raised and if they are tall there is plenty of leg room. Students learn from the very beginning how easy it is to move the steering wheel just a little and the direction changes quickly.

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  Gads, I love my MINI !!! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Johnny36 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I waited until I had my MINI for month so I could get a real feel for it before I wrote a review. This has been perhaps the happiest month driving Ive ever had. Concerns for power should be reserved until you get a feel for the shift/motor. Only now am I able to get the car to launch from a standstill. The MINI is not a 3 series, but it is definitely a BMW. The handling is exceptional! Ive done corners so fast that Im almost slipping out of my seat, but the car feels glued to the road. As to looks, its like being a pretty woman; everyone wants to say hi.

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  Mini Cooper 2002 - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By cd - August 28 - 10:00 am

  The car is excellent, it has met my expectations. It is alot of fun to drive. It drives and handles nicely.

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  Best Drive Ever - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By zzgman - August 26 - 12:00 pm

  My 2007 Mini Cooper S Convertible has nice handling and performance.