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 Mini - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By VICKIE - August 4 - 12:06 pm

  I first got my Mini Cooper in March of 2007. I love the way the Mini handles on the highway and the way she hugs the mountain roads. I wish there was a little more leg room in the back but I only have one child and we just bought her the 2008 Mini Cooper and she is loving her own Mini. We can take both Mini on a road trip and still walk away with money in our pocket from saving on fuel. We will always be a Mini Cooper family..

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  My Mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By JoBob - August 3 - 1:26 am

  If you lease this car its great! I bought it, and I keep buying it every time I go in for the scheduled service. I am going to miss this car after I trade it in. The money it costs to run it is 10 times the amount you will save in gas costs. Also you need to pack a lunch to drive to the very rare and exclusive mini service dealerships.After you get there eat that lunch you packed while you wait for hours to find out that there is more than just an oil change. Have a strong heart for the bill you get. I know for a fact I could have been driving a Lincoln cheaper than this. If you have lots of money and time to blow, buy this car!

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  Fun Ride - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By MItch - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my MINI since October 2002 and I have to say its one of the most enjoyable cars to drive. Its comfort has been exceptional on road trips of more than 3 hours and the fuel economy is excellent. The pick-up and fun factors are only echoed with its safety features. TOO MUCH FUN.

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  The Greatest Car Known To Man - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By The Big M - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Wow, what a fun car! Ive had my MINI Cooper for about a month now and I couldnt be happier. The handling is extraordinary, the performace excellent, its absolutely gorgeous inside and out and its the most comfortable car Ive ever driven. Those that complain about lack of horsepower should learn to drive - with proper technique this car goes like a bat out of Hell! But where it really shines is in the twisties - no car can match the Coopers handling through corners at speed. What more can I say... I love it!

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  Andys Mini Review - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By Andy Klapp - July 23 - 10:50 pm

  I absolutely love my Mini! Its great fun to drive and I get noticed by people who are obviously jealous because they dont have one. I am 6 2" tall and I have more headroom in my Mini than many vehicles I have driven. The fuel economy is great! I average 35 - 40 MPG around town. My Mini only has three options (speed control, bonnet stripes and checkerboard mirrors) and it was well worth the $20,000 price tag.

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  Fun Car. - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Bobby - July 12 - 6:26 am

  I was extremely surprised with this car. My wife and I had never drove this car when we left the dealership we left with the MINI. Also, the car is fun to drive and it gets up and go more than most 4 cylinder cars. Go get it you wont be disappointed!

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  my MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By xgeeyupjeex - June 22 - 10:00 am

  its a fun ride--quite exhilarating. i love the engine sound--very powerful despite being a 4-cylinder. in the beginning, the car was quite shaky..but after a few miles on the road..it got better. i love to ride it--showing it off to my friends. even though it is a small car, it seems to have a lot of power. i can actually park this car in ease--anywhere..very nice car! most of all, i like it cuz it resembles so much of me..very unique.

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  Huge Mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By LIVEfrom718 - June 22 - 10:00 am

  i absolutely love it. at 163hp this car flies!!! it doesnt sound too much, but between the weight and size it really hauls! its a really fun car. i get the "its a cute" care from a lot of people, but once they see the interior, the way it handles, and all the little extras people are really shocked. at first most people are reminded of the beetle and all the cuteness that surrounds that, but dont forget that this little guy is made from the folks at BMW!

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  123333333333333333334 - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By popie - June 22 - 10:00 am

  it was great fun to drive and a great car to take on trips for long periods

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  Mini_A car everyone should own - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By rixr321 - June 22 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing. Powerformance comfort, Interior design is perfect. I perfect design. Get one and you will not be disappointed.