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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  What a great car.... - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By GOJIRA - May 19 - 2:00 am

  I have waited for the Mini S since it was first talked about several years ago. It was worth the wait. This car has been beautifully executed. My girlfriend and I have had it for 4 months now and we still smile like children every time we drive it. Performance is top notch but it is also and incredibly safe car. QUESTION FOR THE NEGATIVE COMMENTATORS: Do you even own a MINI? Or is it just sour grapes speaking?

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Alice Cooper - May 17 - 9:16 am

  I am 6 feet tall and my Mini is very comfortable, fun to drive and I love all the features. The warranty is great.

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  An Old Mini Owners wish-come true - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By kalirhe - May 14 - 10:00 am

  The 2002 Mini Cooper is an old (1969) Mini owners wish-come-true. It retains the fun ride, with the rack and pinion steering. I t has all the amenities of a much larger and much more expensive car - such as a 6 speaker audio system, on board computer, GPS large wheels, a sophisticated climate control - dial in your desired temp - cooling or heating and much more. Loaded with all the above (and more) it sells for $22,760 !!! And thats WITH tax aand everything.

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  Dont judge it until you drive one! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By 750rider - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I test-drove the Acura RSX Type-S, 03 Accord V-6 Coupe 6-speed, Mazda 6 s (V- 6). Cooper wins hands-down on fun and sportiness. I was skeptical about the meager horsepower at first, but all it takes is a test drive to become a believer, at least if you claim to be a sports car enthusiast. The driving will convince you, but add the nice features and the total ownership experience is a bargain, even at MSRP.

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  Cooper S - Cooper Comparison - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By iancull - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Owned a MINI Cooper for 9 months, and just traded up to Cooper S. The engine torque is SO MUCH BETTER. Very noticeable in town driving where there is little need to shift down from 4th or even 5th at town speeds.

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  Its a MINI BMW - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By bman1221 - May 11 - 5:30 pm

  I drive a 2003 M3. Takes a lot to impress me when it comes to driving and handling in cars. After driving my M3 everything else is just transportation, until I drove a mini s convertible. What a great driving and handling little "pocket rocket" It handles like a BMW and has enough power to let you know it has it if you need it. It gives the impression of a lot more guts than the normal 3 series and while driving it doesnt feel small or restricted. I bought it for my wife but I must admit its a blast to drive!!!

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  Zippy but chilly - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Sutton86 - May 9 - 6:16 pm

  Cute, fun car to drive. Youll get lots of compliments! Good power and cornering. Great gas mileage. Visibility is poor when top is up; average when top is down. Roll bars stick up and ruin the line of the car. The Miata is superior for design and visibility. In fact, I miss my old Miata but needed more space.

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  Wont drive anything but a Mini - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By jbmsgg2010 - May 3 - 11:37 pm

  Bought my Mini new in 2003. There have been a few issues with squeeks and rattles, but the dealership has remedied them all. I rated the comfort at 4 only because the Sport Suspension is a bit stiff, with the run flat tires, but it is NOT a complaint. The design is rated at 4 only because of the cup holders. I drove my car everyday, 70 miles round-trip to work, on wet and icy roads. The front-wheel drive is amazing! Im getting ready to sell my baby for a new one -- 2011 Mini Countryman. Cant wait!!

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  Speedometer faulty - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By speed - May 1 - 10:36 pm

  I really enjoy driving this vehicle but there are some serious deficiencys that would prevent me from buying another Mini. The first is the road noise. Mini really needs to reduce the road noise, its so loud that at highway speeds its difficult to talk on my cell phone. Another significant problem is the speedometer, when I am going 75 mph the speedometer in the Mini reads 81 mph. I called Mini and they said that it is within design specs and they could not and would not fix the speedometer. This sloppiness in performance and the unwillingness of Mini to take care of the problem makes me wonder about Minis integrity. I dont think its too much to ask that the speedometer be accurate.

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  Minnesota Mini - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By Larry - May 1 - 9:23 am

  Bought as daily driver. I am not tracking the car so the base model has more than enough power and did not want to deal with the cold start valve clatter or sometimes melting non- functional hood scoop of the "S" model. The money I saved enabled me so by some extras.