As you try to decide between a stately sedan or a rugged SUV, Mini Cooper will likely land on your radar time and time again. All their vehicles are well worth considering, but which one should you choose? Well, you’ll have to take a closer look to find the answer.
What models does Mini Cooper make?
- Hatch: $22,400 – $36,900
- Electric: $29,900 – $36,900
- Countryman: $29,100 – $36,900
- Clubman: $32,900 – $40,900
Will these Minis exceed your every expectation? Do they offer a smooth, quiet ride? Are they safe to drive all around town and on long road trips? If you’re ready to find the answers, dive right into this article to learn all you need to know.
Hatch: $22,400 – $36,900
When BMW brought the Mini Cooper back in 2000, they were applauded for their ability to capture the essence of the original. Dubbed the Hatch, this iconic car now comes as a two-door hardtop, four-door hardtop, and convertible.
You also have several trims to consider for each one, including the John Cooper Works edition. The sportier trims get the twin-scroll turbo 2.0L four-cylinder engine, while the base model gets the turbo 1.5L three-cylinder powerplant.
This Mini has room for four, but the back seats are a little bit cramped. The entertainment features, like the Harman/Kardon sound system, do help make up for that a bit, however.
Some things you’ll adore about this car include:
- Up to 301 horsepower
- Six-speed automatic gearbox
- Multiple driving modes
- Leatherette heated seats
- Dual-zone climate control
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet crash tested the 2020 Mini Cooper Hatch. They did put the 2019 model year through the paces and it received an overall four-star rating.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), on the other hand, did test the 2020 model and gave it an overall ‘Good’ score. Its front crash prevention system received an ‘Advanced’ rating as well.
Each of the Mini Cooper body styles has a loyal following and gets a lot of praise. Beyond its adorable appearance, they love how it drives and appreciate all the technology jammed into its build. Touchscreen navigation, parking assist, and the Active Driving Assistant are just a few of their favorite features.
Electric: $29,900 – $36,900
Although it’s virtually identical to the two-door hardtop body style, the Electric Mini Cooper is in a class all its own. With its all-electric build, you get total freedom from fuel fill-ups in favor of a quick charge now and then.
In fact, you can charge up to 80% in just 36 minutes. If you go all the way to 100%, you get a 110-mile range before needing to recharge. Although having a charger at home is a must, you also have your choice of over 19,000 public chargers nationwide. You can even find them at your favorite stores.
Despite the electric powerplant, this car still offers all the same driving excitement as its fuel-powered equivalents. You can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and its nimble handling is still at the center of its build.
Other important stats include:
- 181 horsepower and 199 lb.-ft. of torque
- Six exterior paint colors
- Panoramic moonroof
- Harman/Kardon Premium Sound System
- Get a federal tax credit of up to $7,500
Although the NHTSA and IIHS have not tested the electric version, the hardtop results still apply. Also, if Tesla is any indicator, the lack of a metal engine at the front can even help improve crash test scores.
Owners absolutely adore the sheer efficiency of the Electric Mini Cooper model. They like to boast about being able to save up to $4,500 on fuel in the first five years. Plus, they are happy with how much technology is at their fingertips on every drive.
Countryman: $29,100 – $36,900
The Countryman is the perfect vehicle for those who want a capable SUV but cannot leave the Mini aesthetic behind. In terms of looks, it’s every bit a Mini Cooper, but with a whole lot more utility.
Out of all the Mini Cooper models, the Countryman offers the most space. It can fit up to five people comfortably plus 17.2 cubic feet of cargo. If you can put the seats down, you’ll get up to 47.4 cubic feet for all your stuff.
The rugged exterior and luxe interior beautifully complement each other, as do the powerful engine options and all-wheel-drive configuration. You can even get it in the John Cooper Works trim, but there are other options if that’s a bit more than you want.
Its most important specs include:
- Up to 301 horsepower and 331 lb.-ft. of torque
- 4.9 second 0 to 60 times
- Five trim levels
- Seven paint colors
- LED headlights and taillights
The NHTSA has not yet completed any crash tests on the 2020 Countryman. The IIHS sure has, however. On their tests, this car earned a ‘Good’ score overall. The headlights were deemed problematic and are well worth upgrading.
Countryman owners love how easy this SUV is to drive around town and even park in cramped areas. They point to its responsive handling and smooth, quiet ride as the top reasons to own one. The automatic wipers and headlights are a plus as well.
Clubman: $32,900 – $40,900
When you want all the fun of a Mini Hatch with a bigger footprint and even more sophistication, the Clubman is just what you need. This compact car easily fits up to five — plus everyone’s luggage, shopping bags, and much more.
It comes in many different trim levels, including the high-performance S and John Cooper Works trim. If you go that route, you can even get all-wheel drive, which inspires true confidence behind the wheel.
Like the others on this list, this Mini Cooper model comes with all the latest driver-assist technology, like Rear Park Distance Control. You also get a high-quality sound system from Harman/Kardon and full smartphone connectivity.
Other key features include:
- Multiple engine options
- Eight-speed sport automatic gearbox
- 17-inch net spoke black rims
- Dynamic Cruise Control
- 6.5-inch touchscreen display
Neither the IIHS nor NHTSA has crash tested the Mini Clubman. Once they do, you can expect ratings similar to the Hatch’s since they are built on nearly the same chassis.
Owners of the Clubman love that it looks and feels like a Mini but offers much more room all around. They are thrilled with how practical it is and yet offers so much fun. Furthermore, everyone appreciates how many customization options are available across each trim level.
Photos: Mini
