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2017 MINI Hardtop

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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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2017 Cooper 2dr
most popular
Price:   -  From $20,950
2017 Cooper 4dr Price:   -  From $21,950
2017 Cooper S 2dr Price:   -  From $24,400
2017 Cooper S 4dr Price:   -  From $25,400
2017 John Cooper Works 2dr Price:   -  From $30,900

Overview

Not many cars with moderate sticker prices possess as much character, as notable a heritage, as the MINI. That’s especially true of the two-door Hardtop, which revived, in modern guise, the concept of the original MINIs that were produced in Britain during the 1960s. Cooper Hardtops come in two- and four-door hatchback form, but it’s the two-door that best identifies the MINI brand. Despite their small size, MINIs offer 34 cubic feet of storage volume with the back seat folded down (but less than 9 cubic feet with that seat up).

What's New for 2017

A MINI Seven special edition has joined the 2017 lineup, showcasing exclusive design features, inside and out. Four body colors are available: Lapisluxury Blue, Pepper White, Midnight Black, and British Racing Green. The designation refers to the Austin Seven, one of the two model names given to the original British minicar that debuted back in 1959.

Distinctive fabric and leather upholstery options also are offered. All Hardtops now come with a Media Package, including a 6.5-inch Visual Boost screen with MINI Connected, Enhanced Bluetooth audio streaming. Also included are voice command and a front center armrest.

MINI Hardtop

Choosing Your MINI Hardtop

MINI Hardtop models are defined by their engines: base Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works. Named for the man who sent the original MINI into motorsports, the John Cooper Works edition is the hottest performer—not only more powerful, but tuned to derive maximum response and pleasure.

All Cooper Hardtops use TwinPower turbocharged engines: three-cylinder 1.5-liter in the base Cooper, and 2-liter four-cylinders in the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models. The three-cylinder makes 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while the Cooper S boosts those figures to 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet. Beneath the bonnet of the John Cooper Works edition sits the most powerful engine ever in a MINI production model, developing 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet. Cooper Hardtops are available with a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. All MINI Hardtops have front-wheel drive.

Expect about 29 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway with the base engine and manual shift. The fuel-economy estimate drops to 24/34 mpg (city/highway) with a Cooper S, and 23/31 mpg with the John Cooper Works edition. Acceleration to 60 mph takes 7.4 seconds with a Cooper, 6.5 with the Cooper S, and 6.1 seconds with the John Cooper Works.

MINI Hardtop

Base Cooper

Starting at $21,800 (destination included), the basic two-door model comes with the three-cylinder engine and a manual gearbox. Each Cooper has a sport leather-wrapped steering wheel, 15-inch silver-colored wheels, and heated mirrors and washer jets. Leatherette seat upholstery is standard, along with automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, and Harman Kardon six-speaker audio with HD radio. A four-door Hardtop adds $1,000 to the price of a basic two-door.

MINI Hardtop

Cooper S

Adding $3,450 to the basic Cooper’s MSRP, the Cooper S comes with a 189-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine and manual shift. Standard features include a mesh grille, cloth sport seats, hood scoop, foglamps, and 16-inch wheels. Automatic-transmission models get paddle shifters. Cooper S is the choice for performance, but not necessarily worth the extra cost to other buyers. Two- and four-door Hardtops are available, the latter priced $1,000 higher.

Both two- and four-door Hardtops can get the new Seven Edition Package, which costs $2,500 for Cooper models, or $2,000 with the Cooper S. MINI Yours Vanity Spoke wheels are a $500 option. Upholstery options include Carbon Black Cross Punch Leather, Satellite Grey Lounge Leather, and Yours Carbon Lounge Leather.

An optional Sport Package includes 17-inch wheels, as well as dynamic damper control that lets the owner adjust suspension from comfortable for city driving to track-ready. Technology and Premium packages also are available, as is a Fully Loaded package that includes all three.

MINI Hardtop

John Cooper Works two-door

Topping the performance spectrum, the JCW Hardtop adds $6,500 to the price of the Cooper S, for a total of $31,750. In addition to the hottest engine of the lot, John Cooper Works models have a sport exhaust, refined suspension technology, and model-specific design features, as well as optimized aerodynamics. Standard equipment also includes stainless steel pedals, LED headlights, a rear spoiler, side sills, Brembo brake calipers, and 17-inch wheels. The John Cooper Works Hardtop comes only in two-door form.

All three versions can be equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, as an alternative to the manual gearbox.

CarsDirect Tip

Except for the Fiat 500, Coopers have no direct competition. They've been so popular at times that used models have sometimes sold for more than new ones. Whether to buy a base Cooper or Cooper S depends on the level of your yearning for a more animated experience, though even the three-cylinder model releases abundant energy. If a Cooper S won't quite suffice, the John Cooper Works Hardtop may prove irresistible. If you’re a small-car performance enthusiast, why not go all the way, if your pocketbook permits? Options galore can be added, allowing the total price to escalate in a hurry.

Get your price on a MINI Hardtop »

Read our review on the MINI Hardtop »

MINI Hardtop
author image
Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

The MINI Cooper made its return to the U.S. in 2002 under the BMW umbrella. This small and nimble people hauler became an immediate cult classic, drawing in buyers seeking something different from the subcompact hatchbacks of the world.

So is this tiny hatchback effective at being an everyday car, or is it just a niche vehicle carved out for a specific demographic? Continue reading to find out.

Pricing and Equipment

The 2017 MINI Cooper Hardtop comes in a variety of flavors and tunes. With these variations come pricing changes and stylistic mods. Prices start from $21,800 for the base model and range to $31,750 for the performance-oriented John Cooper Works model (delivery fees included).

In its base setup, the Cooper Hardtop comes standard with:

  • Fifteen-inch alloy wheels
  • Automatic headlights and wipers
  • Heated mirrors
  • Keyless ignition
  • Automatic climate control
  • Six-speaker audio system with 6.5-inch display
  • Leatherette upholstery

Buyers looking for extra goodies can add optional bits, such as the John Cooper Works Exterior Package ($2,990), the Wired Package ($1,610), the Premium Package ($1,655), and more.

Performance Pros

MINI Hardtop

Performance ranges greatly between the various versions of the Cooper Hardtop. The most balanced of the models is the Cooper S with its 189-horsepower engine, but those looking for unreal performance would prefer the 228-horsepower JCW model.

  • Up to 228 horsepower at your disposal
  • Precision handling in all versions
  • We noted great fuel economy across the range for guilt-free fun

Performance Cons

While its John Cooper Works performance variant is incredibly fun, we found it to be a little uncontrollable at times. We also think the shifter feels a little clunky, pulling us back to our grocery-getting reality.

  • The JCW model is quite hard to tame at times
  • Shifter felt a tad inaccurate, killing the fun for a split second
  • While we're okay with it, some buyers may find the ride a bit too stiff

Interior Pros

MINI Hardtop

We're pleased that MINI relocated the speedometer behind the steering wheel, giving the dashboard a more conventional layout. Headroom is also surprisingly generous, taking tall folks in stride. The MINI represses road noise well, but without silencing a pleasant exhaust note.

  • The speedometer is now where it’s supposed to be
  • Taller adults won’t feel like they’re about to bump their heads
  • Noise level is a great balance of peace and feedback, particularly on the S model

Interior Cons

As expected, there isn't much storage space in a MINI—you'll find just 8.7 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats in place. Even with the seats down, the Cooper Hardtop only offers 38 cubes. Speaking of those rear seats, we suggest not subjecting your adult friends to too many hours in such cramped quarters.

  • Tiny cargo area limits the daily-driver usability of the Cooper
  • Miniscule rear seats make this a tough buy for anyone who needs a back seat
  • Despite design improvements, the interior remains a sea of dreary black

The Most Pleasant Surprise

The delicate balance of road noise and peacefulness when driving the Cooper Hardtop was one of our biggest surprises. In this class, you typically expect to hear every single bump and groove in the road, but the Cooper does a great job balancing this out.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

While you may be tempted to check the JCW box to get that 228-horsepower 2-liter engine, you may want to think twice. Power delivery is dramatic and it can take serious effort to maintain complete control under heavy throttle. Some may find this enjoyable, but many daily drivers will prefer something a bit more manageable.

The Bottom Line

It’s good but not great. The MINI Cooper Hardtop is just what we expected it to be: a niche car. It doesn’t do car things (hauling people and cargo) too well, but its combination of sportiness, funkiness, and thriftiness may be exactly what you’re looking for.



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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.5L I-3 / 134 HP / 162 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 6-spd man w/OD
Available: 6-spd Steptronic w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
28 / 38 / 33 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
4
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.5L I-3 / 134 HP / 162 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
28 / 38 / 33 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
10.6 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$40
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
38.0 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
Exterior Length
151.1 "
Exterior Width
68.0 "
Exterior Height
55.7 "
Front Headroom
40.3 "
Rear Headroom
36.9 "
Front Legroom
41.4 "
Rear Legroom
30.8 "
Front Shoulder Room
50.6 "
Rear Shoulder Room
47.8 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,605 Lbs. / 2,675 Lbs.
Wheel Base
98 "
Turning Radius
17.7 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
2 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Silver Aluminum / 16.0 " Silver Aluminum / 18.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 17.0 " Silver Aluminum / 18.0 " Silver Aluminum / 17.0 " Black Aluminum / 16.0 " Black Aluminum / 17.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Clearcoat Monotone With Stripe / Clearcoat Two-tone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored / Body-colored With Chrome Insert
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround / Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip / Wing
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
4
Seat Trim
Sensatec Leatherette / Leatherette / Cloth/leatherette / Cloth/leather / Leather / Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket / Sport Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way / 8-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
6-way / 8-way
Front Armrests
6-way / 8-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan / Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6 / 10 Harman/kardon
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt Style
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
1
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Directionally Adaptive
Parking Sensors
Rear / Automated
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
48 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
144 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2017 MINI Hardtop for Sale

5 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
MINI
Cooper
Color: Gray
Price

$14,495

Mileage

50,857 mi

Map location icon

Car Fluent Inc of Sunland (24 mi)

Phone: (818) 293-3225
MINI
Convertible
Color: Red
Price

$15,990

Mileage

44,192 mi

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Nash Auto (33 mi)

Phone: (714) 435-4000
MINI
John Cooper Works
Color: Silver
Price

$15,990

Mileage

111,496 mi

Map location icon

Titanium International Motors LLC (34 mi)

Phone: (949) 579-0009
MINI
S
Color: Midnight Black Metallic
Price

$16,427

Mileage

50,831 mi

Map location icon

California Motors Direct Montclair (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 200-2277
See All Used Car Listings

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