Auto Guide
2026 Mini Cooper
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Review and specifications

2026 Mini Cooper

The redesigned Mini Cooper is immediately recognizable and retains its charm, agility, and fun-to-drive nature, But alas, a manual transmission is no longer available. You can choose between two-door, four-door, and convertible body styles, and all are available in standard, sportier S, and ultra-sporty John Cooper Works versions. The 201-hp, 2.0-liter turbo-four in the two-door Cooper S we tested makes punchy power and sounds sporty. The standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts quickly but causes uneven power delivery at low speeds. Fuel economy is commendable at 33 mpg overall. Handling is super agile, but the ride is stiff and choppy. The redesign brings a minimalist cabin but is still adorned with whimsical details and has a premium vibe. The large, circular center screen acts as the infotainment and climate functions interface, and is augmented by a head-up display--vital, due to the lack of a separate driver's instrument screen. BSW, RCTW, and adaptive cruise control are optional.

Market value
$31,975
Fuel
Conventional
Transmission
Automatic
Seats
4
View listings Find dealers
Model year 2026
Owner rating Not rated
Reliability 4/5
Data updated December 4, 2025

At a glance

Model data

Overview

Powertrain
Conventional
Body style
2-door hatchback
Drive type
FWD
Transmission
Sequential, 7-speed
Category
Sports cars 4/5-seat
Generation began
2025

Pricing

Current retail median
$31,975
Retail value range
$28,825 - $41,425
Original MSRP range
$29,500 - $44,600
Trade-in range
$25,445 - $37,665

Ratings

Road test score
76/100
Reliability
4/5
Expert recommendation
Recommended

Fuel economy

EPA city
28 MPG
EPA highway
39 MPG
EPA combined
32 MPG
Tested city
21 MPG
Tested highway
48 MPG
Tested overall
33 MPG
Annual fuel cost
$1,475
Cruising range
380 miles

Road tests

0-30 mph
2.9 sec
0-60 mph
6.5 sec
60-0 mph braking
123 ft
Avoidance speed
57 mph
Test status
Test Completed

Dimensions

Length
153 in
Width
69 in
Height
56 in
Wheelbase
98 in
Weight
2,945 lb
Maximum load
780 lb
Towing capacity
0 lb

Interior

Seating
4 people
Front head room
3.5 in
Front leg room
44 in
Rear head room
1.5 in
Rear leg room
25 in
Luggage
1+1+0

Environmental impact

Air pollution score
6/10
Greenhouse gas score
6/10
SmartWay
No

Brand context

About Mini

Although BMW purchased the Mini brand in the 1990s and modern examples are much larger than their mid-20th century forebears, Mini retains a lot of its retro cool British sensibility. Some vehicles are still assembled in the UK. The sporty Mini Cooper is one of the smallest vehicles on the market, with a go-kart-like character that makes it exceptionally fun to drive. The larger Countryman competes with small SUVs, and John Cooper Works editions add even more power and more raucous handling. Mini sells both gas and electric versions (branded as “SE”) of every vehicle. Manual transmissions are no longer offered. Until recently, Mini had a checkered reliability history—several older models sat near the bottom of our reliability ratings. However, newer Minis have been among the most reliable on the market. Buyers of used models should pay careful attention to which model and year they choose.

Vehicle ID: 37043 Updated: December 4, 2025

Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.

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