There aren’t many small car brands out there that have reached the prominence that MINI has.
The storied small hatchback car has seen plenty of time in the spotlight, from famous owners like McQueen, Madonna, and all four of The Beatles, to iconic appearances in film and TV. The Mini nameplate inspired an entire generation of automakers, and it’s unquestionably one of the most influential cars of the 20th century. She’s got a ticket to ride, indeed!
With such a hallowed history, how does one of the best small cars stay relevant? By continually updating with cutting-edge features, of course. To celebrate our personal favorite automobile, let’s check out where the MINI’s been, where it is now, and where it’s headed.
MINI Through the Ages
Long before MINI officially existed as its own marque—and makers of some of the top 10 small cars in the world—the Mini brand of yesteryear established itself as a fixture in the auto world…
Beginnings: Late ‘50s to Mid ‘60s
When the original Mini saw its European debut back in 1959, it had a lot of folks scratching their heads. Living up to its name, it was much smaller than other consumer cars of the time. It had a number of design quirks as well, including the famous space-saving transverse engine. This idiosyncratic design was no accident—it was built to be a more fuel-efficient small vehicle, which was still affordable, stylish, and could comfortably fit four people.
The Mini quickly began winning people over with its iconic appearance and trademark go-kart-like handling, and the modest price tag meant that it was within buying reach of nearly everyone.
It wasn’t just a hit with Sunday drivers—in the early ‘60s, John Cooper and his team engineered the original Mini Cooper as a performance racer that went on to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with on the track. John Cooper’s contributions can still be felt to the present day—the “MINI Cooper” name is often used as an umbrella term for the entire fleet.
Middle Years: Late ‘60s to Late ‘90's
In 1967, emissions regulations in the US changed, meaning American consumers could no longer buy an original Mini through regular means. Despite the laws stateside, Mini continued to be a fan favorite around the world.
Many changes occurred in the world of Mini production. The success of Mini caused a boom in luxury small cars, which ironically resulted in some stiff competition for the famed brand. Now-famous MINIs like the Countryman and Clubman saw their prototypical introduction. Mini Cooper history was disrupted when the high-powered model was discontinued in ’71, only to see a resurgence nearly two decades later in the early ‘90s.
Over the years, through all the ebbs, flows, and design adjustments, Mini vehicles never compromised their instantly recognizable looks and around-town athleticism. They remained not just good small cars, but some of the most reliable small cars for the money.
Return to America: The 21st Century
By the year 2000, the Mini brand had officially become part of the BMW corporation, which began releasing the retro-styled modern compact we’ve all come to love. With that, MINI was born.
Though they appear stunningly similar, newer MINIs are quite different in their design specs. They’re still quite compact, but BMW-manufactured MINIs are notably larger than the originals, which of course translates to more passenger and cargo space. The MINI Cooper name also returned to the forefront, with the Cooper and Cooper S becoming the marque’s staple powertrains. And, of course, newer models have introduced a ton of new technological features—not surprising, considering almost half a century of auto industry advancements to draw upon.
MINI’s New Looks
For 2022, MINI implemented design changes to the 2-Door, 4-Door, and Convertible models—this marks the first time in the brand’s history that three of the five MINI models have been updated at the same time.
What leaps and bounds has MINI made since the turn of the century?
Exterior Facelift
One of the central features of the MINI brand is an emphasis on customization—each MINI is an extension of the owner’s unique personality.
Hardtop and Convertible MINI Coopers have undergone a few functional changes for added efficiency and safety. Headlights are now standard LED, with internal housing designed to light the road without inconveniencing other drivers. Air curtains have also been added to the front end for increased sleekness on the streets, which of course helps to maintain MINI’s status as a small car with the best gas mileage around.
There are now more ways to tailor your MINI’s aesthetic than ever before. One of the most striking new features is the patented Multitone Roof, painted using a polychromatic gradient effect, which is exclusive to the MINI brand.
Another option that sets MINI models apart from the pack is the Piano Black Exterior package, which includes blacked-out door handles, fuel cap, side scuttle, head and taillight rings, and exhaust accents.
Union Jack-themed taillights round out the external accoutrements, giving the already-unmistakable new MINI a subtle bit of extra flair.
Interior Features
Probably one of the biggest differences between the Mini models of yore and today’s MINIs is the focus on driver and passenger technology. The small-but-spacious design ethos may still be there—MINI Coopers have always been the best cars for short people—but new MINI models have a heck of a lot more infotainment and comfort amenities these days.
One of the first things you’ll notice is the circular 8.8-inch display situated front and center. This stylish instrument is the main hub for sound, safety, communication, and navigation—features include standard Apple Carplay, Sirius XM, and touch screen with customizable widgets and ancillary analog controls.
The old-school dash cluster has been replaced by a digital display as well, which provides real-time diagnostics in tandem with all the pertinent driving and multimedia information.
Of course, the MINI isn’t just all business. The cockpit has all kinds of touches designed to make drivers feel at home no matter where they go, like Piano Black interior features, new trim options, and ambient lighting, which shifts according to drive mode.
Safety
MINI’s Active Driving Assistant package is now standard on all models sold in the US. This comes with a wealth of ADAS perks, including Active Cruise Control with full braking, Lane Departure Warning with tactile alerts, Pedestrian and Frontal Collision Warning, and City Collision Mitigation.
Despite its size, MINI Cooper reviews regarding overall crashworthiness are pretty stellar, with excellent ratings from the IIHS.
Sportiness
Since the MINI Cooper’s origins, it’s been a force to be reckoned with in a race. The MINI of today upholds this tradition with zippy acceleration, distinctive stance, and impressive road manner.
A couple engines are available in the Hardtop and Convertible, from the base 1.5L that puts out 134 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque, to the more robust Cooper S engine that cranks it up to 189 horsies for more performance-oriented wheeling.
If you have a true need for speed, you’ll want to consider upgrading to the John Cooper Works edition. So-named after the originator of the Mini Cooper himself, JCW sport-tuned MINIs boast a number of extras like steering-mounted paddle shifters, Nitron suspension, and an aerodynamic body kit with an available exclusive color scheme. The 2-Door MINI JCW receives an engine upgrade as well: a TwinPower Turbo 2.0 that launches at 228 horsepower.
Still need more? The larger MINI Clubman and Countryman models are also available with the John Cooper treatment, complete with a mini-monster 301 horsepower engine. With ALL4 all-wheel drive, the new MINI Countryman JCW can get it up from zero to 60 in under five seconds.
Electric
With a track record reaching back before the Kennedy administration, MINI has proven that it doesn’t intend to be left behind—the age of electrified vehicles is upon us, and the spunky SUV is here for it.
The Hardtop 2-Door model has been unveiled as the MINI Cooper SE, which can be immediately spotted by the golden S badging. The 135-kilowatt electric motor brings the speedy handling to a whole new level, and with the benefit of over 38,000 level-3 public charging stations, the EV battery can reach a charge of 80% in under 40 minutes. Dare we say, a new contender for best small electric car?
If you’re not ready to go full-electric, MINI has you covered with the MINI Countryman SE plug-in hybrid. The badging and overall feel are similar to the Hardtop SE, with a classic gas-powered engine to back things up. The PHEV Countryman boasts a rating of 73 MPGe and an all-electric range of 17 miles, meaning you could use your MINI for weeks without ever having to think about stopping by a fuel pump.
The Future of MINI
With so many new features, one thing is clear: the European Car of the Century is going to continue to innovate and inspire for years to come.
Even more MINI modifications are on the horizon, including more electric technology. If you’re ready to join the club, or just looking for the next MINI to add to your collection, get ahold of us at Braman MINI of Miami to be a part of the future. Give us a call at (786) 374-2201 or drop by our luxury car dealership near Aventura at 2060 Biscayne Blvd. to ask about a preowned MINI, or inquire about our lease specials and finance offers.
