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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  Awesome Ride! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By poopyjackson - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Just traded in my Dodge 1500 Sport Quad Cab 4x4 for the new 2004 mini,...all i can say is that this car is great!,..i dont miss my truck at all!

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  My Coop - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By sandymonet - September 5 - 8:13 pm

  This is the greatest little big car ever! I have no problems with pick up and I can out start my husband in his Corvette! It is beautiful in detailing and comfortable in seating. All controls are right at my finger tips so I do not have to grope around in the dark for anything. The on dash cup holder stinks, but that is minor in comparison to all the fun I have driving (zooming) around town. Glad I bought it especially now with gas prices so high. My gas lasts me about a week and then some. I can hook my ipod up and just go. Just love the way it handles the corners nice and tight at high speeds. The one touch button for top down is an added bonus. You should get one! Be glad you did.

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  Love it! - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By Liz Cook - August 23 - 3:46 pm

  Just got my Mini yesterday, after doing months of research on several compact cars. The minute I test drove the Mini, I was sold. It is good looking, fun to drive and "just me". I am hoping it lives up to my expectations, but so far...it is everything I wanted! I got the red with white top and white bonnet stripes. CUTE!!!!

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  2008 Mini Cooper S - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By ckranert - August 21 - 7:00 pm

  I bought the car in May of 2008 and already have over 30k miles, so it is a great car to travel in. I am able to get my wife, son, golf clubs, and everything else that comes with having a toddler in the car with no problems. People complaining about space dont know how to use what they have! Got it for the gas milage first and performance second, it hasnt disappointed in either. My main concern is the constant rattling from the passenger side and the dealerships refusal to fix it. Aside from that it is a great car.

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  Topless touring - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Dan - August 20 - 6:16 pm

  My MINI Cooper S Convertible is fun to drive and peppy enough to get with the flow of traffic quickly. Its mileage has been disappointing on the highway. Im averaging about 28 mpg @ 70 mph. If you slow down to 60 mph then it gets into the high 30s. The seat is too grippy for a long haul. The radio is good, but not user friendly. The fit and finish seem very good. This car is lots of fun and draws lots of smiles and grins. Ive been driving it for 8000 miles in 3 1/2 months and there havent been any problems.

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  MY MINI RULES - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By j.k. lui - August 20 - 2:00 am

  ILOVE IT. IT KICKS BUTT. IT IS FAST AND I LOVE HOW I CAN ZIP IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC.

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  Chili Red 2006 Mini - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By ChiliRed2006 - August 15 - 11:23 pm

  I am tall, but have plenty of head and leg room in my Mini. The hatchback with back seats that lay flat allows me to get a lot of cargo in the back. It has great visibility, gas mileage, and its just fun to drive. I love this car!

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  Best Money Spent - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By minicoupah - August 15 - 10:10 pm

  This is my second Cooper Convertible. I owned a base model for one year then traded up to the "S". The "S" is superior (actually stands for "Special") in all aspects. I ordered it my way with limited slip, DSC, xenon lamps, front & rear fog, premium pak #1 and cold-weather pak. Also I opted for 16" proformance tires. I learned that the 17"s are too harsh for lousy Massachusetts roads and dont plan on running it in the snow. This vehicle is a drivers vehicle. With the proper driver, there are not many cars that can match it in performance and handling. Oh, there are bigger, better, faster and more cars but NONE (at least in this price class) can compare to the ini Cooper S ragtop.

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  I love this car - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By jules - August 15 - 4:40 am

  I love my Mini and will definitely get another. Amazing for zooming in and out on the highway, and also awesome for city driving. Our gas mileage is great- high 30s and sometimes even low 40s for pure highway driving. My husband and I are both very tall and find the cabin more than comfortable. I dont have any complaints about this car!

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  Finally Got My MINI - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By chela348 - August 15 - 3:30 am

  Recently graduated 7 years worth of pharmacy education and took advantge of getting my dream car. I cant recall the first time I ever saw it (tv, movies, drive past one) but I wanted one. I dont drive manual so I waited a month for my Oxygen Blue White Top MINI! I cant begin to explain how much fun I have driving it! I get so much attention from it and love waiving to my fellow MINI drivers! Gas is so ridiculous, I get over 40 MPG (especially if i switch to the fake manual). I enjoy my panoramic sunroof everyday. Im a petite girl and feel like it was made for me in every way! Oh and Ive only had the car for 2 months and it now has 3000 miles!