Too cute to dislike, the zippy Mini Cooper is defined by its unique appearance, compact dimensions and good handling. Under BMW's stewardship, the little Mini Cooper has spawned a big lineup of model variations. The Mini Cooper Clubman is an extended wheelbase model that adds some much needed extra room to the back seat and cargo area. The Clubman is further differentiated from the 3-door hardtop with a passenger side rear-hinged access door to ease access to the back seat. Two large side-hinged rear doors provide access to the cargo area replacing the hatch in the hardtop. Even though the Clubman adds 3 inches of legroom, the model is still small in comparison to almost all 5-door compacts. Most Mini variants share the same powertrain and model structure. The base Cooper model is powered by a 121-bhp, 1.6l four-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Power in the turbocharged Cooper S increases to 181-bhp. The top performance model is the John Cooper Works (MT only) which increases power to 208-bhp. All models share a long list of standard equipment that includes four-wheel disc brakes, common power equipment and alloy wheels for around $26,000. Mini offers numerous customization options which extend beyond option packages to mixed exterior /interior color combinations and decals. Through this unique personalization it is possible to add thousands to the sticker price.

John Cooper Works performance models gain an optional automatic transmission.