-Sn!PeR- Posted June 26, 2020 Posted June 26, 2020 Pros Characterful and charming Occupies a fascinating area where fun and premium overlap Relatively affordable Highly customizable Cons Cramped rear quarters, even in the 4-door version Ride quality can be a little too firm for some What’s New this year? John Cooper Works GP version now tops the range with 301 horsepower Infotainment package with navigation and Apple CarPlay offered in Signature trim Digital driver information display becomes available Oxford Edition now available to the general public People Also Ask How reliable is a Mini Cooper? Looking at the data for 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only received seven complaints about the Mini Cooper range. Its reliability is around 95 percent, with 7.3 percent of owners experiencing more than one problem. That’s pretty good. Is Mini English or German? Mini has its roots in England. The original small car from the 1960s was designed and made there, and it became part of the culture. Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones could often be seen driving around the groovier parts of London in a Mini. But BMW bought that company and created the Mini we now know and (possibly) love. So it’s a bit of both. Where is the 2021 Mini Cooper built?There are two factories producing the Mini. One is in England — Cowley, Oxfordshire, to be precise. The other is in Born, Netherlands, not far from the border with Germany. Overview The 2021 Mini Cooper range consists of the Hardtop 2 Door, Hardtop 4 Door, and Convertible body styles. Then there are separate trim levels and the more intense John Cooper Works variants. Each Mini Cooper deploys front-wheel drive. There are several advantages to this setup, one being a maximization of cabin space. Another being a fun yet safe driving experience. A Mini is engaging, entertaining, energetic, enjoyable, and enthralling. It doesn’t compete with other subcompact hatchbacks like the Honda Fit, because it’s more expensive and aimed at a different kind of buyer. A Mini’s pricing is on the higher side because it skews toward premium, as opposed to mainstream. While many upscale vehicles justify their prices with luxury features like classier materials and a tranquil ride, the Mini brings excitement into the equation (thanks in part to parent company BMW’s input), along with distinctive design and the ability to personalize. For drivers who like their cars to be more than mere transportation, there’s nothing else like a Mini. Driving the 2021 Mini Cooper Stable and nimble is the Mini approach. Even the base 2021 Cooper Hardtop 2 Door feels sufficiently zippy with its turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, running from standstill to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Naturally, the Cooper S is quicker, but the John Cooper Works models are quickest, thanks to 228 horsepower and now 301 horsepower in the new John Cooper Works GP edition. All Mini suspensions enjoy tuning for driving thrills rather than sedate suppleness, willing to change direction with quick flicks of the steering wheel. When the front wheels start to understeer, the Mini can be coaxed around corners by tweaking the amount of throttle. It’s a blast. The JCW treatment means an extra-firm suspension, though. This is especially true of the new-for-2021 GP, which is even more track-focused (in other words, really stiff). But it is the fastest and most powerful production Mini the company has ever produced. Freeway stretches are more of a chore, however, because of the taut suspensions and noticeable road noise. Favorite Features UNION JACK TAILLIGHTS The Union Jack is the United Kingdom’s flag, incorporating symbols from England, Scotland, and Wales. The 2021 Cooper’s LED taillights echo this design with horizontal turn signals, vertical brake lights, and diagonal taillights. A charming bit of Britishness. CLEVER CONVERTIBLE ROOF It isn’t just an open and shut case with the fabric roof of the 2021 Mini Convertible. There’s also a half-open position where the front portion slides back like a panoramic sunroof, providing an open-air feel without all the turbulence. 2021 Mini Cooper Interior A 2021 Mini is made distinct not only by its exterior but also by its interior. The cabin is full of attractive details, such as the row of switches that look like they should come from a World War II fighter plane and the 6.5-inch central touchscreen dominating the dashboard, while bringing modern technology like smartphone integration into the mix. Despite retro approaches in other areas, the front seats are wonderfully current, offering comfort with plenty of support for those times when quick cornering is possible. Rear passengers won’t have it quite so good. The second-row bench of the Hardtop 4 Door will take three people, as long as they don’t mind rubbing elbows and thighs. 2021 Mini Cooper Exterior Short overhangs and a low-to-the-ground stance make the 2021 Mini look as if it’s ready to rally even when parked. The Iconic trim theme offers several fun colors, while options include roof and side mirrors in contrasting colors, plus go-faster hood stripes. The more powerful models have a hood scoop. Hardtop versions are regular hatchbacks, allowing the back seats to fold when there’s some cargo carrying to do. The Mini Convertible’s tailgate drops down to access a small trunk area. The 4-door Mini Hardtop is about six inches longer than the 2-door, but neither car is ungainly around town. 2021 Mini Cooper Standard Features As well as the drivetrain and performance differences in Cooper, Cooper S and JCW cars, the 2021 Mini Cooper also has trim themes of Classic, Signature and Iconic. Classic comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, black simulated leather upholstery, forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Signature trim includes 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, panoramic roof, heated front seats, 7-speed DCT and LED exterior lighting. Iconic trim brings 17-inch alloy wheels, real leather upholstery, navigation, and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. The 2021 Mini Convertible has a powered top. Top-of-the-line John Cooper Works versions also have stronger brakes. The JCW GP is a well-equipped one-trim variant, with few options. Buyers can specify a climate system deletion (losing weight for track work) at no extra charge. 2021 Mini Cooper Options Minis are almost endlessly customizable. The base 2021 Cooper Hardtop 2 Door in Classic trim offers the fewest options. However, buyers can still swap out the standard 6-speed manual transmission for an automatic, order 18-inch alloy wheels, smartphone cradle, satellite radio, and Union Jack side-mirror covers. The Cooper S offers dynamic dampers, a good choice for those needing the most comfortable ride but not wanting to sacrifice the sportiness. For 2021, the Signature trim is eligible for an options bundle that includes navigation with real-time traffic updates and Apple CarPlay. Additionally, it can come with a new digital driver information display that’s standard in the Iconic models. Other options include an 8.8-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, extra USB port, and a Harman Kardon 360-watt/12-speaker audio upgrade (the standard setup is unimpressive). 2021 Mini Cooper Engine A 3-cylinder engine might not seem inspiring in theory, but the turbocharged 1.5-liter unit in the 2021 Mini Cooper produces a respectable 134 horsepower, motivating a small and fairly light car. Maximum torque arrives at a low 1,250 rpm, so the engine pulls strongly from barely above idle. Cooper S models have a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder developing 189 horsepower and a punchy 207 lb-ft of torque. The same engine in the John Cooper Works versions gets boosted to 228 or 301 horsepower (GP). In all these 2021 Minis, power goes to the front wheels. Transmissions are either a 6-speed manual, an 8-speed automatic, or a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual (DCT). Fuel consumption is more than bearable, although pricier premium grade gasoline is recommended. 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 (Cooper) 134 horsepower @ 4,400 rpm 162 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/38 mpg (manual, Hardtop 2 Door), 28/37 mpg (manual, Convertible & Hardtop 4 Door), 28/37 mpg (7-speed DCT, Hardtop 2/4 Door & Convertible) 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Cooper S) 189 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm 207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,350 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy (estimated): 23/33 mpg (manual), 26/35 mpg (7-speed Sport DCT), 26/34 mpg (7-speed Sport DCT, Convertible) 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (John Cooper Works) 228 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm 236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy (estimated): 23/33 mpg (manual, Hardtop 2 Door), 26/34 mpg (8-speed automatic, Hardtop 2 Door), 25/33 mpg (8-speed automatic, Convertible) 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (John Cooper Works GP Hardtop 2 Door) 301 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm 331 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy (estimated): 24/30 mpg How much does the 2021 Mini Cooper cost? It’s a pleasure to report that the 2021 Mini Cooper range costs no more than the 2020 equivalent. Some versions are actually cheaper by $1,000. This year, Mini is going even better by running Oxford Editions of the basic Hardtops, which has a few po[CENSORED]r options in a value-for-money package. A 2-door version has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $19,750. Add the $850 destination charge, and the total is $20,600. A regular entry-level Hardtop 2 Door starts at $23,250. The Cooper S is $4,000 more, while the high-performance John Cooper Works model is $10,000 more than the base car. Hardtop 4 Door versions add $1,000 to the 2 Door equivalents. There are no 4 Door John Cooper Works variants, and the new-for-2021 GP version is available solely as a Hardtop 2 Door model, priced from $45,750. Convertible versions are $5,000 above the Hardtop 2 Door prices, so the open-topped JCW version completes the range at $39,250 before options, which could easily approach $50,000. Anyone looking elsewhere for pocket-sized driving thrills should note that the BMW 2 Series coupe starts around $36,500. The larger Volkswagen Golf GTI 4-door is all-new for 2021 and comes with 241 horsepower. Prices were still to be announced while this review was being compiled, but we’re anticipating somewhere in the $30,000 region. Here’s a wild idea — the Hyundai Veloster N: surprisingly great and under $30,000. Before buying, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for their new Mini Cooper. Resale values are a Mini strong point. Which 2021 Mini Cooper is right for me? 2021 Mini Cooper 3-cylinder engine 6-speed manual transmission 60/40-split/fold rear seats 6.5-inch touchscreen Heated side mirrors 6-speaker audio system 2021 Mini Cooper S 184-horsepower engine Selectable driving modes Sport front seats 16-inch alloy wheels 2021 Mini Cooper Convertible Powered folding roof 2021 Mini John Cooper Works 228-horsepower engine Sport suspension JCW sport front seats LED headlights/taillights 17-inch alloy wheels 8-speed automatic transmission (Convertible) 2021 Mini John Cooper Works GP 301-horsepower engine GP suspension setup 8-speed automatic transmission 2021 Mini Cooper Safety Technology Active Driving Assistant Standard in every 2021 Mini Cooper, this package includes forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. LED headlights with cornering feature Standard from the Signature level and up, the cornering function is something that’s hard to live without once experienced and appreciated. Those tricky, unknown roads at night become less daunting. 4-wheel disc brakes In the quest for speed, Mini has not overlooked the importance of good brakes. The basic system in the Cooper is acceptable enough, the Cooper S has larger discs, and John Cooper Works units are bigger again. Quote
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