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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  I Love this Car! - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By mary - December 12 - 5:26 am

  The MINI Cooper S is fun to drive. I love the details. It is a hot looking car. Im getting great gas mileage. The car hugs the road.

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  cooper s - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By wingdr - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Out of 15 new cars bought, this is the first one that has not had to go back to the dealer in the first 90 days!! Just luv the car and the handling is so much fun. Drive one before you decide on any other car.

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  Mini Review - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By jacqueline - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I love my Mini because it is so much fun to drive. It drives like a much heavier car. I took it to the mountains and it ran great at 80mph and felt very solid. It shifts very easily. You can zip in and of traffic with ease. It gets great gas mileage. People smile and point when they see it.

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  Since day 1 nothing but problems - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Miniman - December 3 - 2:00 am

  From the very first second I bought the car the windsheild weather stripping fell off and scrached up the roof. Then there was a vibration in the front of the cabin that hasnt been fixed after two attempts from the dealer. Then the passengers side rear tire keeps loosing air so the sensor comes on all the time and the headlight went out! And this is with no accidents! So now a rock hit the windsheild and no one can replace the glass b/c the car is so unique. I have never had so many problems with a car much less a new one. Good luck, its fun to drive but more problems than it is worth!

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  Terribly disappointed - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By babydingo - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Not much good to say about my MINI. Poor acceleration. Rattles all over the place. Two mechanical problems requiring service in the first month I owned the car. Learn from your mistakes I guess. Should have saved a few more bucks and bought a 3 series Beemer.

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  More fun than a go-kart - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Saucerman - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Notice how 90% just LOVE this car while 10% whine? Get over it. BMW stands solidly behind this new model. Fit & finish are excellent; features are simple & functional. Builds surprisingly good pwer over 4000 RPM; handles like a Porsche in the twisties; get superior mileage and lots & lots of admiring attention. Dealer support has been top-notch.

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  24kt GOLD-MINI - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By mercy - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Its a blast to drive

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  Mini Review - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By J Alex - November 29 - 10:00 am

  This little car is big on Quality and excitement. There is no question that BMW is behind this fine machine.

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  Mini Cooper - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By dalejo - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Couldnt have found a better value as the price of gas exploded. This car gets between 30 and 40 mpg. I was surprised at the comfort of the front seats as I am over 63" tall, the MINI has the feel of a sports car at a very affordable cost. Perfect second vehicle for our familys needs.

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  Fun Fun Fun! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By rangermike - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Cooper S for over a year and it has been a wonderful car. Great handling, stable on the highway and lots of fun at the track! It wasnt hard to pass cars 2, 3 and 4x more expensive than the Mini.