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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  Love my SCOOTER! - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By scooterluv1 - October 3 - 9:15 pm

  I have owned many cars in my day, but this scooter (Mini Cooper S) is the most fun to drive. This car is quick, roomy (I am 62", 200#), a sure head-turner and financially economical. Warning: If you are looking for a smooth ride and back seat roominess, pick another car... I bought it 2 years ago w/21000 miles on it and now it has 50000 miles. I have had few issues w/it; (thankfully, I did purchase a good aftermarket warranty) most major issue was w/carbon dirt build-up/clogging up the fuel injectors, but a fuel system flesh ($100.00) and 93/100 octane gas cleared that right up. I am very well pleased w/this blend of Mini/BWN.

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  Brand new, so subjective to some degree - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By EricH - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Raw numbers cant explain the experience driving this car! you cannot go (or stop) anywhere without people coming over and asking about it everybody smiles and points and wants to know about the car. I would upgrade to a dustless aftermarket brake pad. The setup of the gas pedal in relation to the brake pedal makes the car difficult to downshift using the "heel & toe" technique. Did I mention the car was way too much fun to drive?

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  20,000 Miles, best Ive had yet. - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Uhooru - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Owned 1 yr, 20 k mi. Initally am ws wonky and the hatch. Fixed immediatly, no charge no problems. Smooth runner. Not a tiger off the line, but a driving system and approach. 30 mpg, mixed driving. Best handler, beats my Honda CRX SI easily in handling. Comfortable even for those in back if shortys in front. LUV IT!!

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  Best Buy - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Louis "GIR" - October 1 - 1:36 am

  This is my 2nd MINI and I love them. I have done a ton of upgrades and this car zooms more then I thought it could. I bought mine loaded all the perks. Its been worth every dollar. I have won car shows with this car. If you get one I recommend an "S" can do more with it then a Cooper. Bite the bullet and buy the "S". This is not a car for fuel economy its to have fun and drive. If you get one make sure you wave Hi to other MINIs. Dont be rude show some MINI love. If you are getting it for fuel economy buy a Honda. These cars are meant to be family not just to have, but to have fun in.

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  New model=worse model - 2017 Mini Clubman
  By Mark - September 30 - 3:36 am

  The Clubman was redesigned for 2016. If you look around the miniusa website youll have a hard time finding anything relating to fuel efficiency while it was very proudly displayed among the info for the previous model. Its a nice car, but one of the few perks it actually had was fuel efficiency. Now its got a new engine(3 cylinder!) and the MPG is humorously bad. It gets 23 mpg in the city which is on par with some large sport utility vehicles but its still a tiny car by comparison. Weve had three MINIs so Im not a MINI basher. We previously had a Clubman that got 32 mpg on the same to work routes the new Clubman gets 23 mpg. What automaker does that?? In sum, you can get far more for far less money with lots of other vehicles. The only benefits is that it looks different and you can find your car in a parking lot. We have a ALL4 base model which is not listed among the choices here.

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  New model=worse model - 2017 Mini Clubman
  By Mark - September 30 - 3:36 am

  The Clubman was redesigned for 2016. If you look around the miniusa website youll have a hard time finding anything relating to fuel efficiency while it was very proudly displayed among the info for the previous model. Its a nice car, but one of the few perks it actually had was fuel efficiency. Now its got a new engine(3 cylinder!) and the MPG is humorously bad. It gets 23 mpg in the city which is on par with some large sport utility vehicles but its still a tiny car by comparison. Weve had three MINIs so Im not a MINI basher. We previously had a Clubman that got 32 mpg on the same to work routes the new Clubman gets 23 mpg. What automaker does that?? In sum, you can get far more for far less money with lots of other vehicles. The only benefits is that it looks different and you can find your car in a parking lot. We have a ALL4 base model which is not listed among the choices here.

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  More fun than a barrel full of monkeys! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Paulo - September 28 - 5:43 am

  The MINI Cooper S is truly a great car. Some much fun to drive. Im pretty tall- 61" and Im still very comfortable in the car. The leg room in the back seats isnt that great, but you can take people in relative comfort. One thing that I love is the sound it makes. I cant get over it- you just want to drive faster and faster!!! If you dont understand why this car is so great, just test drive one and youll understand. By the way, the MINI staff at Morristown MINI of NJ are great and you can tell they love what they sell.

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  You should try it - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By blue donkey - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Small convenient car with lots of thought given to customer needs/wants. Can blow them in the weeds if you want or just get out of the way very quickly - the big SUVs and semis I mean The engineering is phenomenal; the gearing a marvel. I have been waiting for almost 25 years for a dealership near here to sell them - Ft. Lauderdale used to be the closest. Cant beat it.

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  Could it be cuter? - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Jessalex - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I just got it and liking it so far. Steering is very responsive, the shifting is smooth and logical, the heat seems to work well and overall it handles nicely. The design is clever and funky, with some very intelligent and well-thought out touches. It lags somewhat going up hills. The rear window is extremely small. Rear passengers have no control over windows...theirs is fixed, and yours determines how much air they get. With limited space I think they did a good job with the small things, but overall I would like to see future model years (I have a 2004) add a little heft so I dont feel like Ill crush it if I look at it wrong.

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  Lets Motor - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By foofo - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Mini what a great car!! the 1st was a 02 Cooper couldnt wait for an S I got #32 in the US yes I was on the list for 1.5 yrs, 23000 miles in a year not a bit of trouble enjoyed EVERY mile a little lag around 3400 to 3800 rpms, you just had to stir the gearbox to really go fast. I got a Pepper White S early in Oct 1500 miles and what an improvement no lag at all the new software update has taken care of the cold start and 1st gear stumble problems. I believe that this is the GREATEST little car, My suggestion for you is to wait for and S, it only takes about 8 to 10 weeks to get one now.