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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  Clutch and Transmission Failure - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Fun in Del Mar - February 20 - 1:46 pm

  I have had a lot of trouble initially with the computer system of the car, but the worst is that I had to have the clutch replaced at 75,000. miles and now I need a new transmission at 83,000. miles. Dealer tells me its my driving - but I have been driving Beemer stick-shifts my whole life - I never had to have either one of those parts replaced until I got to 175,000. miles. Furthermore, all maintenance the car needs is very expensive - which may have to do with individual dealerships. Nor am I happy about the acceleration of the car. It certainly does not compare to any of the 3- series of the BMWs - but then again its also cheaper.

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  Best Car Ever - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By MacAttack - February 20 - 2:00 am

  My wife wanted to buy this car and I didnt. Boy was I mistaken. This is the best car I have ever owned. Absolutely wonderful.

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  Well worth the wait - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Stymie - February 17 - 10:00 am

  The amount of extras and attention to detail has related in surprises nearly every day. It is obvious there was alot of innovation, detail, and quality that went into the car. It is more than I could have hoped for and I am thankful to have such a nice car at a very good price. Performance wise there is not another car close to it in the same price range.

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  Finally! It was worth the wait! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By AlanB - February 17 - 10:00 am

  I have owned a Mini (current one a 1964 Morris Cooper"S") for years! This new car lives up to what has made me a Miniac for so long. Absolutely floating on air when driving this puppy!

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  Minitastic - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Emma - February 17 - 4:43 am

  I love my Mini. It is the car that makes you smile every time you get behind the seat. Any small flaws (there are a few rattles) are by far outweighed by the sheer pleasure of driving this tiny but mighty Mini!

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  Road hugger - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Rebecca_CASH - February 15 - 10:00 am

  My MINI is the best car that I have ever owned. It is exceptionally fun to drive regardless of the HP. It turns on a dime and hugs every road it hits. I have had it since November 02 and have had no problems! I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun car.

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  What a blast - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By SevenBob - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I currently own the MINI Cooper S and an Infiniti G-35. While the G-35 is a gas to drive, the MINI is fantastic. I have never owned anything that is so much fun to drive.

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  Built like a tank, with fun and efficiency - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By MINIme - February 9 - 6:10 pm

  This little car is the most fun car I have ever owned. It is also the most fuel efficient vehicle Ive ever owned. Combine it with practicality of a hatchback and you have the most perfect little car in the world. Get a 6 speed and you will have the most fun one can have in a car with clothes on. Even with aggressive driving, I still get better than 30 mpg city/hwy. If I am cruising on freeway, I get about 38 mpg. But with the traction control off I can burn the rubber anytime I want to!

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  I love my MINI - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By bbm - February 7 - 8:43 am

  This car is fun to drive and I love its looks. It will never get old. The turbo S had a lot of power especially when I press the sport mode button. I get about 38-40mpg freeway, and aprox 32 combined. The shifting is smooth.

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  Top Tier Gasolines - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By Barb - February 4 - 7:33 am

  I recommend that before you purchase a Mini you have access to top tier premium gas stations, such as Chevron and QT. If you live out in the countryside, as I do, be aware that using other than above mentioned gas will destroy your fuel pump system. Premium quality gasoline does not mean top tier...theres a mixture in other stations that may destroy your engine. Neither the Mini Cooper website nor the Consumers Report website made any mention at all about this extremely important concern. I was able to find a station within a 30 mile round trip from my home. Again, think this out very well before you consider purchasing a Cooper!