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:

• 

  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.

• 

  fantastic car - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By gdiette - April 19 - 2:00 am

  No disappointments. Extremely fun to drive. Overall quality is excellent. Wouldnt mind some extra horsepower (probably around 200 HP would be ideal)

• 

  I Love my MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Noahs Owner - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Cooper S to use as a daily driver and to provide some fun driving experiences on the weekends. So far its fulfilled those duties perfectly. The build quality is excellent and its filled with lots of standard features. I didnt add a lot of extra options to mine, but I dont feel like Im missing anything. The car has surpassed my expectations. Its a blast to drive, its got a surprising amount of room inside, its nimble in traffic and fairly comfortable on long interstate drives. I love my MINI!

• 

  Very nice minis - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Shane - April 6 - 4:13 am

  I love minis, an absolute fan is what i am but this mini topps the chart!!!!

• 

  Dont fool yourself, get a Mini - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By jetic11 - April 1 - 12:20 am

  Everything about this car is thought out and designed to perfection. The fit and finish is superior. When the turbo kicks in, it flies. I wanted to get a Solstice but was disappointed with its poor visibility and interior quality. For less money I got the Mini and have not regretted it. It handles just like a go cart, has good visability, feels safe, and the interior is beautiful. The electronic displays are all programmable, including allowing you to call up a speedo in the center of the tach (infront of the wheel). In addition the car keys have memory built in them and remember your personal settings. Absolutly amazing. You wont understand until you drive one.

• 

  Pep, style and function - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Tammy - March 28 - 5:00 am

  I have an Acura and an Audi in the driveway. I pick the MINI every time. I drop the top in freezing weather on a sunny day! I am getting 27-28 mpg in the city. I navigate a lot of small streets and parking is a breeze. Its spoiled me. Really.

• 

  GREAT FUN TO DRIVE - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By T.E.M. - March 22 - 10:00 am

  TOOK MY FIRST ROAD TRIP 525 MILES ROUND TRIP THE CAR HANDLED PERFECT IT WAS A BLAST TO DRIVE COULD NOT HAVE FELT SAFER DURING TWO HEAVY RAIN STORMS THE CAR STUCK TO THE ROAD NO HYDROPLANING IF YOU WANT TO BE NOTICED THIS IS THE CAR FOR YOU EVERYONE LOOKS AND POINTS

• 

  Sporty and Fun - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By travlr - March 17 - 11:30 am

  My red Mini with a black roof, black bonnet stripes, and Union Jack side and interior mirror makes many people smile as I drive by. Its quick and maneuverable in Manhattan traffic. I rarely drive higher than 3rd gear in the city and it scoots into the traffic lanes very nicely.

• 

  awesome cooper s - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By rnmini - March 11 - 1:53 pm

  Love everything about this car. First it looks cool, so much fun to drive, can go up the hill soo much faster than other cars, still gets good gas mileage..I drive somewhat fast and like to accelerate and I have an automatic turbo charged..i push that sport button and this car will fly..still average 30miles per gallon, have the mini sound system...Fun, reliable, good mpg

• 

  Nothing Minor about Mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Peejay - February 24 - 10:00 am

  First hand experience of Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper S Works, the little powerhouse just gets better and better. Never looked back since selling the Z3 M Roadster. This little car flatters the driver, diminishes the ego of other drivers with its cheeky charm, poise, handling and performance. Put on a favourite track and drive to the music. Never have another grey day - buy a mini.