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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  Excellent - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Michele Cook - September 18 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car. Looks good, great fun to drive. Turns heads everywhere. Love it!

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  Fun...No I mean really fun! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Tomtom - September 18 - 2:00 am

  A long wait well worth it. The most fun I have had in a car sense drinking and driving became bad form....handles great and well made. Lots of look/thumbs up too.

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  No Pep, you are kidding, right? - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Joe - September 17 - 1:20 pm

  I agree on the first post regarding pep. With the CVT tranny I put it in, my Mini shifts itself at 6,000 RPM. It has plenty of snap! Maybe the reviewers were afraid to push it. You can push it. It takes it well. This car handles like a banshee! I love it! My next one is an "S" with a 6-speed transmission. If youre thinking about buying one, do not hesitate unless you need a back seat.

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  Love My MINI Cooper Convertible - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By jean03766 - September 8 - 9:03 am

  My MINI Cooper Convertible is so much fun to drive. It surprises people who think it is a powerless compact car. It appeals to all ages. This car will probably be driven by my grandchildren, someday! My license plate says it all: MAXIFUN!

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  Where Form Meets Function - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Bill Prueter - September 7 - 9:46 am

  I looked at Mini over a two year period. I test drove it three times before my purchase. I could not be happier. I am impressed that it is the smallest car (143 inches) yet holds four people. My son is 6 2" and says it is the nicest car he has ever driven (for fun he and I often test drive cars on Saturdays). His leg length does mean that someone can not sit behind him. Other wise we have had four people in the car ride comfortably. This car has zip. My Miata (former car) cornered very well, but this car performs even better. Its acceleration is wonderful. However, on a trip to New York I achieved 44.1 mpg one time and 41.5 another. I live in a small town and typically get 30 mpg.

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  A Perfect 10 - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By boogatti - September 6 - 8:33 pm

  What else is there to say, I went from a 2 series Volkswagen Cabrio to an MINI S with full perks. This car is a perfect 10.

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  Mini Cooper S w/sport & premium - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Minnie Driver - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive never paid MSRP for a car before, but I would say that this car is worth it. The buying experience is extremely easy & fun. Mini is constantly sending me nice goodies in the mail, & customer service has been great so far. Like how you can order exactly what you want on the car. A VERY fun car to drive with lots of pep, great handling & brakes. The int & ext design continues to draw looks, and its refreshing to drive something different. Im used to an SUV, but quickly acclimated to this small car which feels roomier inside than it looks. The ride is firm, but I expected that. Love all the BMW features without the BMW price.

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  Bang for the buck - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By CHILIMINI - September 1 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST FUN I HAVE EVER HAD FOR UNDER 20K GREAT LOOKS, FUN FACTOR, NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM, AND A CROWD GATHERS WHEREVER IT IS PARKED. DRIVES LIKE IT IS ON RAILS AROUND CORNERS. DO NOT SKIMP, GET THE DSC ATABILITY CONTROL, AND THE HARMON KARDON STEREO IS A MUST AS THE FACTORY ONE IS AS BAD AS MY ALARM CLOCK

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  Love it! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By G-Man - September 1 - 12:56 am

  The MINI is a fun, comfortable, safe vehicle to drive. I bought mine as a surprise 50th birthday present for my wife. I cant get it away from her. Next time we need to replace a second car, its a MINI for dad.

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  The new MINI, What a ride. - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By cageorge - August 24 - 10:00 am

  In six weeks I have managed to put 2,000 miles on my new mini, including 2 trips to the Keys on Card Sound Rd. (ouch), couldnt be happier, and to think I could be driving truck (SUV) instead, thank God I got my MINI, its soooo much fun.