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 Roadster is a specialized performance variant of the iconic MINI Cooper line. The Cooper Roadster has one row of seating for two passengers. The cargo area has a fixed bulkhead with a small pass through area for longer items. The small soft top is manually operated. The closest competitive model is the Mazda MX-5 (Miata). 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 $25,000. 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.