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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  Nuts over it - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Anne - May 13 - 10:00 am

  This is a head-turning car, SO fun to drive. Great handling, feels really solid on curves, smooth acceleration, and a ride that is much quieter than you would think for such a small car. Lots of power for my needs, and besides, if you want an S, looks like youll be on a long wait list and miss the fun of driving!

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  Fun happy car to drive - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Beany - May 13 - 10:00 am

  You wont be disappointed in the Mini. It is a great car to drive and it feels like a sports car! The car is best suited to drivers using the back seat for occasional passengers. If you will be seating more than two people on a regular basis you might be well to size it up for all concerned before purchase.

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  My very first brand new car - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Siava - May 11 - 9:46 am

  Owning a MINI is sentimental and an experience Ive been looking forward to. I am not disappointed in the least! My drive to work and home is approximately 65 miles per day and this week Im averaging 41 mpg. Last week it was 44! I only have to fill up once a week vs. 2 1/2 times in my old Ford Focus. Im usually afraid to drive in the rain, but Ive not been since driving this car. I really feel connected to the road. I cant rave enough about my little Jerry.

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  Mini Cooper S Electric Blue - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Knuckles - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Love driving the Mini Cooper S. The shifting of the 6 speed transmission is so smooth and the clutch is so easy that it is nothing but fun to drive. You can see all around the vehicle. No blind spots. The car has lots of zip and personality. People stop you everywhere to ask you about it. The toggle switches are easy to access. There actually is room in the back seat for four people.

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  Mighty - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By T Ritchison - May 4 - 11:36 am

  My Mini S, makes me smile. Its everything I ever wanted in a small car. Lots of fun to drive. The 6 speed is awesome. The engine is very reponsive. Ive taken many long trips. The hum of the engine & exhaust at 60- 80 MPH, is music. Never had so much fun. Im a backpacker. The room in the back is perfect for wine, hiking poles, cooler, 1 large suitcase and 2 back packs. My only dislike; the run flat tires. Expensive to replace and are good for about 25-27 Gs. But I can live with that! I believe, its the best reproduction ever. My Mini & Me. My license plate is MIGHTY. Its that and then some. Wow!

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  The next generation MINI Cooper S - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By IZZY GP - May 2 - 10:53 pm

  Compared to the 2002-2006 MINI cooper S the current MINI is leaps and bounds ahead. Providing quicker 0-60mph and overtaking times. The engine is a major improvment and one can see and feel that this is actually a BMW designed vehicle.

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  This Car Is Sooo Me! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Malu - April 25 - 3:33 pm

  I love this car. I will own it forever! Even if I wanted to buy another car I am keeping this one until my hair turns grey! Love driving it. It always makes me and other people smile! I do hate the way the plastic on the interior scratches so easily but other than that I dont have any complaints, unless you count having to drive two cars to go shopping! Motor on dude!

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  you gotta gt one!!!! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Driver - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Great car. It is very important to take this car for what it is, a small fun runabout. If you are looking for a car that lets you take a nap in comfort wrong choice. This car is fun, fun to drive,fun to look at, and fun to own. I must also tell you that it is good reliable transportation for a fair price.

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  Love the MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By pxlmxr - April 25 - 2:00 am

  When the lease was up on my BMW Z3, I decided to look for a more reasonably priced car- but i did not want to sacrifice performance- I decided to get a MINI. So far the car is a blast. The first thing I noticed was that it actually handles better than the Z. I love the design of the car inside and out, and the fit and finish is what you would expect from BMW. Though the car has a little less muscle than my other cars, it is far from under-powered and the low price means that I can buy the car rather than lease - so now I get to work on it and make it go faster on my own. I would recommend this car to anyone who loves to drive-

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  Mini Cooper Fun! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By miniman - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I have been a MG fan for over 20 years having owned and still owning a bunch. That being said, this Mini Cooper S is without doubt the most fun vehicle I have ever had. It does everything well. I absolutely love it. While its not for everyone, it is definitely for me!