The MINI Cooper is a name steeped in history, associated with Monte Carlo Rally victories and generations of performance spin-offs.
Today, the name is available across the MINI range, and it means as much as ever in terms of performance and driver enjoyment…
Here’s our buyers guide to all the MINI Cooper models.
MINI Cooper 3-door
The original and still the most fun, the 3-dr Cooper recalls the classic Cooper models of old, with compact, cheeky styling and go kart-like handling.
If practicality isn’t the most important factor for you, there’s no other small car that’s quite as much fun.
The three-door MINI comes in three flavours. Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper D. The entry-level Cooper has a three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, while the S has a 2.0-litre four-pot. The S is more powerful (189bhp vs 134bhp) but the standard Cooper is still an absolute joy to drive, with a characterful engine note.
The diesel isn’t as quick, but is extremely frugal, offering up to 75mpg.
There’s also the range-topping John Cooper Works edition, which includes track features and distinctive performance styling add-ons. It’s a fabulous machine and it really looks the part.
MINI Cooper 5-door
The Cooper 5-door hatch uses a lengthened version of the 3-dr platform, with an extra pair of doors and quite a decent amount of rear legroom.
The boot is 30 per cent bigger than that of the three-door, while the trim levels are otherwise the same. It’s a more practical alternative to the classic 3-door model, but still retains a lot of its cheeky charm and character.
MINI Cooper Countryman
With its raised ride height, four-wheel-drive and chunky styling, the Cooper Countryman is the car you need for the most extreme of MINI adventures.
Yet despite its crossover credentials, the Countryman retains a level of driving enjoyment that few other small SUVs can muster, thanks to MINI’s excellent chassis engineering. It’s still an absolute delight to drive, with a choice of three models – the standard Cooper and the more powerful Cooper S, which use the same engines as the Mini hatch. Or for the full effect, there’s a John Cooper Works variant, which comes with additional styling features and unique alloys.
MINI Cooper Convertible
The ragtop MINI is a fun-filled alternative to the 3-door, which works best in three-cylinder form, as with the roof down you get to really appreciate its characterful engine note.
It’s also available as a Cooper S with the more powerful 2.0-litre engine, or as a John Cooper Works special, with additional performance and styling features.
MINI Cooper Clubman
The Clubman is the perfect MINI if you need a bit more extra space, above and beyond the five-door hatch but with a more car-like appearance than the crossover Countryman.
It has a generous load bay, and is available in three trim levels – the 134bhp three-cylinder Cooper, the 150bhp diesel Cooper D and the 189bhp John Cooper Works.