Model research hub
MINI Cooper
Car and Driver says the modern Mini Cooper is a fully baked automobile, powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 161 horsepower in standard guise and 201 horsepower in the S trim, both using a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, offered as two- and four-door hardtops plus a Cooper Convertible, alongside a separately reviewed Cooper Electric. MotorTrend says the Cooper Hardtop competes with a variety of small hatchbacks like the Volkswagen GTI, Toyota Corolla, and Fiat 500e, exhibiting balanced handling with strong brakes and a refined ride, though Mini's bid to embrace tech-focused design trends has seen the Cooper hardtop lineup lose much of its manual driving fun, with Coopers now automatic only and paddle shifters restricted to upper trims; for 2026 the John Cooper Works Style package, with a JCW Aero Body Kit and adaptive suspension dampers, is available on all S models.
161 to 201 hp, hardtop or convertible
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the modern Mini Cooper is a fully baked automobile, powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 161 horsepower in standard guise and 201 horsepower in the S trim, both using a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, offered as two- and four-door hardtops plus a Cooper Convertible, alongside a separately reviewed Cooper Electric.
Balanced handling, but less manual fun
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the Cooper Hardtop competes with a variety of small hatchbacks like the Volkswagen GTI, Toyota Corolla, and Fiat 500e, exhibiting balanced handling with strong brakes and a refined ride, though Mini's bid to embrace tech-focused design trends has seen the Cooper hardtop lineup lose much of its manual driving fun, with Coopers now automatic only and paddle shifters restricted to upper trims.
JCW Style package now available on all S models
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says for 2026 the John Cooper Works Style package, with a JCW Aero Body Kit and adaptive suspension dampers, is available on all S models.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the Mini Cooper have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says 161 hp standard, or 201 hp in the S trim.
Can you still get a manual Mini Cooper?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says no, Coopers are now automatic only.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 MINI Cooper is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 161 / 201 / 228 horsepower across its subcompact hatchback body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 5 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 Cooper seats 4 and is a Subcompact hatchback.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2026 Cooper.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 MINI Cooper
MINI splits equipment (Signature/Signature Plus/Iconic) from engine (Cooper/Cooper S/JCW) as two independent choices; Cooper is 161 hp, Cooper S is 201 hp, and JCW tops the range at 228 hp.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
6 indexed MINI Cooper model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 MINI Cooper | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 MINI Cooper | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 MINI Cooper | 2025 record → | |
| 2021 MINI Cooper | 2021 record → | |
| 2016 MINI Cooper | 2016 record → | |
| 2015 MINI Cooper | 2015 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the MINI Cooper.
The Mini is a two-door, four-seat small car produced for four decades over a single generation, with many names and variants, by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors British Leyland and the Rover Group, and finally (briefly) under BMW ownership. Minis were built as saloons, estates, convertibles, and various other body styles. Minus a brief 1990s hiatus, from 1959 into 2000, an estimated 5.38 million of all variations combined were built.
- Limited editions
- From the Mark IV onward, many special limited-production editions of the Mini were offered. These included models that were created to commemorate racing victories or to celebrate an anniversary of the Mini marque. Limited editions generally came equipped with a unique combination of interior and exterior trim and special decals.
- Motorsport
- BMC operated a Competition Department at Abingdon, Oxfordshire, under the control of Stuart Turner, which built specially prepared Minis (mostly based on Cooper and Cooper S versions) to compete in international rallies and other motorsport.
- Awards
- BMC and Issigonis were awarded the Dewar Trophy by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) for the innovative design and production of the Mini. The Mini has won many other awards over the years, including second place in 1999's "Global" Car of the Century award, behind only the Model T Ford.
- Sales
- At its peak, the Mini was a strong seller in most of the countries where it was sold, with the United Kingdom inevitably receiving the highest volumes. The 1,000,000th Mini came off the production line in 1965, with the 2,000,000th in 1969. The 3,000,000th Mini came off the production line in 1972, with the 4,000,000th in 1976.
Source: Mini (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
MINI Cooper at a glance
- Production
- 1959–2000 (5.38 million)
- Class
- City car (A)
- Body style
- 2-door sedan (car), saloon, 2-door convertible, 2-door Station wagon, estate, 2-door sedan delivery, van, 2-door coupe utility
- Layout
- FF layout
- Engine
- 848 cc, 970 cc, 997 cc, 998 cc, 1,071 cc, 1,098 cc, 1,275 cc A-series I4
- Transmission
- 4-speed Manual transmission, manual, 4-speed AP automatic transmission, automatic, 5-speed manual (optional extra on some later models)
- Wheelbase
- 2036 mm (saloon), 2138 mm (estate and commercials)
- Length
- 3054 mm (saloon), 3299 mm (estate and commercials), 3300 mm (Wolseley Hornet/Riley Elf)
- Width
- 1410 mm, up to 1530 mm with widest 'sportspack' factory wheel-arches
- Height
- 1346 mm
- Curb weight
- 580 kg
- Successor
- Austin Metro, Mini Hatch
- Related models
- Mini Moke, Austin Metro, Innocenti Mini (1974–82), Mini Wildgoose, Midas Bronze, Mini Marcos
- Designer
- Sir Alec Issigonis, John Sheppard
Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)
- September 2025, Seat Belts:Front:Retractor. BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X1 and X2, MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper, Mini Countryman S ALL4, and 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. The torsion bar in both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during… Consequence: A damaged seat belt retractor may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- September 2024, Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module. BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI… Consequence: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and…
- February 2024, Electronic Stability Control (Esc). BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of… Consequence: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of…
Year by year
The MINI Cooper across 13 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 MINI Cooper | 31 | $2,550 | 5 | |||
| 2026 MINI Cooper | 30–32 | $2,400–$2,600 | 6 | 1 | ||
| 2025 MINI Cooper | 30–32 | $2,400–$2,600 | 6 | 3 | ||
| 2024 MINI Cooper | 27–110 | $700–$2,850 | 13 | |||
| 2023 MINI Cooper | 27–110 | $700–$2,850 | 13 | |||
| 2022 MINI Cooper | 26–110 | $700–$3,000 | 13 | |||
| 2021 MINI Cooper | 26–108 | $700–$3,000 | 13 | 2 | ||
| 2020 MINI Cooper | 29–108 | $700–$2,650 | 7 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2019 MINI Cooper | 26–32 | $2,400–$3,000 | 12 | 2 | 10 | |
| 2018 MINI Cooper | 26–32 | $2,400–$3,000 | 12 | 6 | ||
| 2017 MINI Cooper | 26–32 | $2,400–$3,000 | 12 | 3 | 18 | |
| 2016 MINI Cooper | 26–32 | $2,400–$3,000 | 12 | 4 | 4 stars | |
| 2015 MINI Cooper | 27–32 | $2,400–$2,850 | 16 | 6 | 56 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the MINI Cooper, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 2027 | 6 to 5 | Labels: Cooper S 2 Door | |||
| 2025 to 2026 | Labels: Cooper C 2 Door, Cooper C 4 Door, Cooper C Convertible, Cooper S 2 Door, and 1 more | Labels: Cooper Convertible, Cooper Hardtop 2 door, Cooper Hardtop 4 door, Cooper S Hardtop 2 door, and 1 more | |||
| 2024 to 2025 | 13 to 6 | 68.5 to 31.0 | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Size classes: Compact Cars | Labels: Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door; Engines: 1.5L 3-cyl SIDI, 2L 4-cyl SIDI, Electric motor / not listed; Transmissions: Automatic (A1), Manual 6-spd; Fuels: Electricity | |
| 2022 to 2023 | 68.0 to 68.5 | ||||
| 2021 to 2022 | 67.0 to 68.0 | 110 to 114 | |||
| 2020 to 2021 | 7 to 13 | 68.5 to 67.0 | Transmissions: Manual 6-spd | ||
| 2019 to 2020 | 12 to 7 | 29.0 to 68.5 | first listed: 110 | Labels: Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door; Engines: Electric motor / not listed; Transmissions: Automatic (A1), Automatic (AM-S7); Fuels: Electricity | Transmissions: Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd |
| 2015 to 2016 | 16 to 12 | 29.5 to 29.0 | Labels: Cooper Hardtop 2 door, Cooper Hardtop 4 door, Cooper S Hardtop 2 door, Cooper S Hardtop 4 door | Labels: Cooper (3-doors), Cooper (5-doors), Cooper Coupe, Cooper S (3-doors), and 2 more; Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Size classes: Two Seaters |
Buying used
What the MINI Cooper recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | seat belts (front) | None |
| 2025 | 3 | electronic stability control (esc); electronic stability control (esc) (control module); seat belts (front) | None |
| 2021 | 2 | air bags (air bag/restraint control module); seat belts | None |
| 2020 | 2 | structure; air bags (air bag/restraint control module) | None |
| 2019 | 2 | engine and engine cooling; steering (linkages) | None |
| 2017 | 3 | seat belts (front); air bags; exterior lighting (brake lights) | None |
| 2016 | 4 | air bags (frontal); steering (gear box (other than rack and pinion)); seat belts (front); 1 more | None |
| 2015 | 6 | seats; power train (automatic transmission); equipment (other); 2 more | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 19 | 20% | 2015 (10) |
| engine | 18 | 19% | 2015 (14) |
| power train | 17 | 18% | 2015 (10) |
| fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 13% | 2015 (11) |
| service brakes | 10 | 10% | 2015 (8) |
| unknown or other | 8 | 8% | 2015 (4) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 MINI Cooper trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Oxford Edition | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 161 | 184 | – | – | 32 | $26,675 |
| Cooper Signature | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 161 | 184 | 3,014 | – | 32 | $30,675 |
| Cooper | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 161 | 184 | 3,014 | – | 32 | $33,075 |
| Cooper S Signature | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 161 | 184 | 3,014 | – | 32 | $33,975 |
| Cooper S | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 161 | 184 | 3,014 | – | 32 | $36,375 |
| John Cooper Works Signature | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 161 | 184 | 3,047 | – | 30 | $40,075 |
| John Cooper Works | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 161 | 184 | 3,047 | – | 30 | $42,475 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every MINI Cooper model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 161 | 3,014–3,047 | – | 11.6 |
| 2025 | 7 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 201 | 3,014–3,047 | – | 11.6 |
| 2024 | 4 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / Electric Motor / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 134–228 | 2,711–3,143 | – | 11.6 |
| 2023 | 8 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / Electric Motor | 134–228 | 2,711–3,143 | – | 11.6 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / Electric Motor / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 134–228 | 2,712–3,144 | – | 11.6 |
| 2021 | 6 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / Electric Motor / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 134–301 | 2,707–3,153 | – | 11.6 |
| 2020 | 5 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / Electric Motor | 134–228 | 3,153–3,770 | – | 11.6 |
| 2019 | 4 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 134–228 | 2,625–2,845 | – | 11.6 |
| 2018 | 4 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 134–228 | 2,625–2,845 | – | 11.6 |
| 2017 | 3 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 134–228 | 2,625–2,845 | – | 11.6 |
| 2016 | 3 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 134–228 | 2,605–2,845 | – | 11.6 |
| 2015 | 3 | 1.5-liter 3-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 134–228 | 2,625–2,845 | – | 11.6 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the MINI Cooper.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | – | – | – | – | CR2032 |
| 2021 | – | – | – | – | CR2032 |
| 2020 | – | – | – | – | CR2032 |
| 2019 | – | – | – | – | CR2032 |
| 2018 | – | – | – | – | CR2032 |
| 2017 | – | – | – | – | CR2032 |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
MINI Cooper: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2015 MINI Cooper : 6 recalls on file, most commonly affecting seats and equipment.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | not available | seat belts |
| 2025 | 3 | not available | stability control, seat belts |
| 2024 | not available | ||
| 2023 | not available | ||
| 2022 | not available | ||
| 2021 | 2 | not available | seat belts, airbags |
| 2020 | 2 | 6 | airbags, structure |
| 2019 | 2 | 10 | engine cooling, steering |
| 2018 | 6 | ||
| 2017 | 3 | 18 | seat belts, exterior lighting, airbags |
| 2016 | 4 | not available | seat belts, exterior lighting, steering, airbags |
| 2015 | 6 | 56 | seats, equipment, powertrain, structure |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for MINI Cooper model years 2016, 2021, 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a MINI Cooper?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2015 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which MINI Cooper model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2015 MINI Cooper has 6 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting seats, equipment, powertrain. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the MINI Cooper by model year?
2026: seat belts. 2025: stability control, seat belts. 2021: seat belts, airbags. 2020: airbags, structure. 2019: engine cooling, steering. 2017: seat belts, exterior lighting, airbags.
Q04Why do some MINI Cooper model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for MINI Cooper model years 2016, 2021, 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Transmission and drivetrain, Climate and electrical, Brakes, tires and steering, Engine and cooling.
2015 MINI Cooper owners specifically: see Buying, records and recalls and Transmission and drivetrain.
Compared with
Models this MINI Cooper is most often compared with.
Nearest MINI models
Other MINI models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Cooper come in?
The 2026 MINI Cooper (subcompact hatchback) comes in 5 trims: Cooper Signature, Cooper S Signature, Cooper S Signature Plus, JCW Signature, JCW Signature Plus.
Q02What are the 2026 Cooper trims?
The 2026 MINI Cooper trims are Cooper Signature, Cooper S Signature, Cooper S Signature Plus, JCW Signature, JCW Signature Plus, listed from the entry Cooper Signature up to the top JCW Signature Plus.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Cooper use?
The 2026 MINI Cooper is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 161 / 201 / 228 horsepower across its subcompact hatchback body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 Cooper have?
The 2026 MINI Cooper is rated at 161 / 201 / 228 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Cooper?
The 2026 MINI Cooper is offered with FWD.