2020 Mini Cooper Safety: Worth Your Time?

Marie A
Nov 29, 2020

While car shopping, safety will likely come up time and time again. If you want to make it a top priority, you cannot lose by going with the Mini Cooper. Although this compact car has a small footprint, it doesn’t slack off when it comes to keeping you safe.

2020 Mini Cooper - Photo by Mini

How safe is the 2020 Mini Cooper?  

The 2020 Mini Cooper received an overall “Good” rating from the IIHS, which is their highest score. They’ve also named it the Top Safety Pick+ in 2016 when equipped with front crash prevention. The NHTSA has not yet weighed in on this model.  

Crash test ratings are important, but so are the high-tech safety systems employed by modern carmakers. To get the whole story on why the Mini Cooper is so safe, we invite you to explore these topics in more detail in this article.

Mini Cooper Crash Test Rating

At this time, only the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has put the 2020 Mini Cooper through crash tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only has ratings for the 2016 model year.

When it comes to crashworthiness, the 2020 Mini Cooper earns a “Good” rating across the board from the IIHS. The crash avoidance and mitigation scores are a little less impressive, however.

Within that category, the LED projector headlights get an “Acceptable” rating. The halogen reflector headlamps get a “Poor” score due to their inadequate visibility.

2020 Mini Cooper - Photo by Mini

The vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention earns an “Advanced” rating since it was not able to fully prevent a collision. Child seat anchors were given a “Marginal” score due to their poor placement.

In 2016, the two-door hardtop version earned the Top Safety Pick+ award. That model year got the same scores as the 2020 version, pointing to the potential for an award this year, too.

In addition to its strong structure, the Mini Cooper has airbags all throughout the passenger compartment, including at the sides and overhead. Beyond that, it’s equipped with high-tech safety systems that promise to help prevent accidents from happening in the first place.

Safety Tech Equipped on the Mini Cooper

Like most carmakers these days, Mini equips their cars with active safety features that help prevent collisions. Their most popular systems include:

Heads Up Display

Accidents can happen in a split second, which is why it’s a good idea to always keep your eyes on the road. But what about when you need to glance at your speedometer or other displays on the dash? That’s where the Heads Up Display shines.

This awesome feature puts all the display info you need right in front of your eyes, so you never have to avert your attention from the road ahead. You can retract it as needed as well, letting you customize the driving experience to your liking.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Normal cruise control systems move full speed ahead without consideration for what’s in your path. With Adaptive Cruise Control, the system watches for vehicles in front of you and adjusts your speed to prevent a collision.

Dynamic Stability Control

To keep your car moving on the right path, there’s the Dynamic Stability Control system. If it detects that you’re headed off the road or into a spin, it selectively applies the brakes to prevent that from happening. As that occurs, it also adjusts the power output of your engine to bring it all together.

Cornering Brake Control

As you move through tight corners, your Mini’s tires could break loose, leaving you skidding full speed ahead. To keep you on the right track, the Cornering Brake Control system jumps in to adjust your trajectory. As it selectively applies the brakes, your car continues around the corner without missing a beat.

If an accident does occur, you can rely on the Crash Sensor System to help prevent injuries. Upon detecting an impact, this system switches off the fuel pump and turns on your hazards. To help you exit the vehicle safely, it also illuminates the cabin space and unlocks all your doors.

Here’s a Glimpse at Questions People Also Ask:

Is the Mini Cooper a Safe Car to Drive?

As an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winner, 2016 and newer Mini Coopers have proven themselves safe to drive. Their active and passive safety equipment helps make them even more safe by helping prevent accidents.

What Year Mini Cooper Should Be Avoided?

Mini Coopers made prior to 2015 had reliability issues that could mean trouble in the future. Unless you can get one with impeccable service records, it’s best to avoid older models. The only exceptions are the 2005 to 2006 models, which are known as the golden years.

Are Mini Coopers Safe for New Drivers?

With all their active driver assist systems and superb crash test ratings, Mini Coopers are safe for new drivers. The 2016 model, in particular, provides all the protections that parents want for their teenagers who are just learning how to drive.

What are the Common Problems with Mini Coopers?

The continuously variable transmission is a well-known weak point in the Mini Cooper’s design since it’s prone to premature failure. Other parts known to fail are the power steering pump, water pump, and timing chain.

Are Mini Coopers Safe and Reliable?

Yes, Mini Coopers are largely safe and reliable. The IIHS awarded them the Top Safety Pick+ designation in 2016. In addition, J.D. Power deemed them the most dependable out of all the compact cars on the market for 2019.

Photos: Mini

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