2018 MINI Cooper

2018 MINI Cooper Overview

Is the 2018 Mini Cooper a Good Used Car?

Yes, the 2018 Mini Cooper is a good used subcompact car. Its distinctive design and engaging driving dynamics make this a stylish choice.

The 2018 Mini Cooper has several strengths:

• Go-kart-like handling creates an enjoyable driving experience
• Three available body styles: 2-door hardtop, 2-door convertible, 4-door hardtop
• Plenty of power from the base turbo and available turbo engines
• Cabin comes standard with upgraded materials like synthetic leather
• One of the best reliability ratings in the class

It also has a few weaknesses:

• Firm ride
• High projected ownership costs
• Limited cargo space, even for this class
• Limited rear passenger space, especially in two-door models

Why You Can Trust Us

We’ve analyzed 31 Mini Cooper reviews, as well as performance specs, interior dimensions, fuel economy ratings, and more, to give you all the information you need to make a smart car-buying decision.

U.S. News & World Report has been reviewing cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our Best Cars team has more than 75 years of combined automotive industry experience. To remain impartial, we do not accept extravagant gifts from automakers, and an outside source handles our advertising.

How Much Is the 2018 Mini Cooper?

Based on listings for the 2018 Mini Cooper on our site, the average price is $23,800, which is above the class average. Prices range from $18,500 to $30,000 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.

See the Best Used Car Deals »

How Much Does the 2018 Mini Cooper Cost to Own?

The 2018 Mini Cooper’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be about $27,140, or $5,428 per year. That’s above average for a subcompact car.

Is It Better to Buy a Used or New Mini Cooper?

Mini made Apple CarPlay and wireless device charging available for the 2019 Cooper (starting MSRP: $21,900). If these features matter to you, you’ll need to buy new. Otherwise, the 2018 Cooper is nearly identical to the new model, and it's likely less expensive.

Read about the new Mini Cooper »

The 2018 Cooper is part of a generation that debuted for the 2014 model year. There have been some notable changes over the years. Mini added a four-door body style for the 2015 model year. For 2016, Mini introduced a redesigned convertible body style and made automatic pre-collision braking available. The 2017 Cooper gained a standard infotainment system, while a rearview camera and parking sensors became standard in the 2018 Cooper.

Compare the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Cooper »

See the Best New Car Deals »

See the Best New Car Lease Deals »

How Reliable Is the 2018 Mini Cooper?

The 2018 Mini Cooper has a stellar predicted reliability rating of 4.5 out of five from J.D. Power.

Read more about Cooper reliability »

2018 Mini Cooper Recalls

At the time of writing, there are no recalls for the 2018 Mini Cooper.

See more information on Mini Cooper safety recalls »

Which Used Mini Cooper Trim Is Right for Me?

The 2018 Mini Cooper has three trims: base, S, and John Cooper Works. The base and S trims are available in all three body styles: two-door hardtop, four-door hardtop, and two-door convertible. The John Cooper Works trim is available only in the two-door hardtop and two-door convertible body styles.

The base trim comes well-equipped, and the base engine easily handles most daily driving needs. The S trim has a much peppier engine. Performance-minded shoppers will want the top-of-the-line John Cooper Works trim. In addition to a 228-horsepower engine, it comes with a sport exhaust system and a sport-tuned suspension.

When it was new, the Mini Cooper was available with several option packages, so you may find models with additional features. For instance, the Premium package adds a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a panoramic sunroof, while the Technology package features an 8.8-inch display and navigation.

• Mini Cooper base: The base trim comes with a 134-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission, synthetic leather upholstery, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen, enhanced smartphone integration, six speakers, Bluetooth, a USB port, automatic climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, and parking sensors. This trim comes in all three body styles. A six-speed automatic transmission is available.
• Mini Cooper S: The S trim also comes in every body style, and it features a 189-horsepower turbocharged engine paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an available six-speed automatic. Sport seats, driving modes, and LED fog lights are standard.
• Mini Cooper John Cooper Works: The performance-oriented John Cooper Works trim has a 228-horsepower turbocharged engine and a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is available. Its standard features include a sport exhaust system, a sport-tuned suspension, and Brembo brakes.

See 2018 Mini Cooper trims and specs »

What Does Mini's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Mini offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles five years old or less and with fewer than 60,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. Mini’s certified pre-owned program provides one year of coverage with unlimited miles following the conclusion of the four-year/50,000-mile Mini New Passenger Car Limited Warranty. Each CPO Mini must pass a 197-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Mini warranty page carefully.

Mini has one of the best CPO programs compared with affordable automakers, besting those from Kia, Mazda, and Volkswagen. Compared with luxury brands, however, Mini’s program isn’t nearly as robust.

See the best CPO programs »

How Safe Is the Cooper?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the two-door 2018 Cooper the highest rating of Good in five crashworthiness tests. Properly equipped 2018 Coopers earned the second-highest rating of Advanced for front crash prevention. Base trims equipped with the Fully Loaded package received the second-lowest rating of Marginal for how well its headlights illuminate the road. All other trims received the worst rating of Poor.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not performed crash tests on the 2018 Mini Cooper.

Standard advanced safety features:

• rearview camera
• rear parking sensors
• automatic headlights

Available advanced safety features:

• adaptive cruise control
• head-up display
• automatic parking assist

See Cooper safety scores »

2018 Mini Cooper Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: 2018 Mini Cooper or 2018 Volkswagen GTI?

The 2018 Volkswagen GTI is a compact car and one of the most engaging hatchbacks you can drive. It offers a powerful base engine and sharp handling. It also features premium interior materials. Because of its much roomier interior, the GTI is the more practical option between these two.

Which Is Better: 2018 Mini Cooper or 2018 Mini Countryman?

The 2018 Mini Countryman is a subcompact SUV that provides lots more cargo and passenger room than the Cooper. It also offers a comfortable ride, and it's available with all-wheel drive. The Countryman still has Mini’s driving DNA, however, meaning it can handle fast curves with ease. The only downside is price: The Countryman is a more expensive vehicle.

Compare the Cooper, GTI, and Countryman »

2018 Mini Cooper Performance

How Does the 2018 Mini Cooper Drive?

The Cooper is a joy to drive. Critics compare the Cooper to a go-kart, in that it can zip you around corners without much body lean. That said, this Mini does have a firm suspension system, so its ride may not be comfortable enough for some shoppers.

The Cooper is available with three peppy engines. The base three-cylinder is strong enough for your everyday commute, but the available engines deliver much more punch.

• Base engine: 134-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder
• Available engines:
  • 189-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (Cooper S)
  • 228-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (John Cooper Works)
• Drivetrain: front-wheel drive
• Transmission: standard six-speed manual; available six-speed automatic

Does the 2018 Mini Cooper Get Good Gas Mileage?

The 2018 Cooper gets average fuel economy for a subcompact car.

• three-cylinder: up to 28/38 mpg city/highway
• four-cylinder: up to 25/33 mpg

Read more about Cooper performance »

2018 Cooper Interior

How Many People Does the 2018 Cooper Seat?

The 2018 Cooper seats up to four people in two-door models and up to five people in four-door models. The front seats provide good support and comfort, but the back seats in two-door models are cramped. You'll have to opt for a four-door model if you want enough rear space for adults, but don’t expect a lot. There’s just enough room for adults to be comfortable over short jaunts.

Standard seating features:

• synthetic leather upholstery

Available seating features:

• heated front seats
• sport seats
• genuine leather upholstery

How Many Child Car Seats Fit in the 2018 Mini Cooper?

The 2018 Cooper has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the rear outboard seats. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the LATCH system in two-door Cooper models the second-lowest rating of Marginal for ease of use.

2018 Mini Cooper Features

The 2018 Cooper comes standard with a 6.5-inch infotainment system. The system requires a slight learning curve, but it's easy to use once mastered.

• Standard infotainment features: a 6.5-inch infotainment screen, enhanced smartphone integration, six speakers, Bluetooth, and a USB port
• Available infotainment features: navigation, an 8.8-inch display, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Additional standard features: automatic climate control
• Other available features: a panoramic sunroof and keyless entry

See 2018 Mini Cooper specs »

Read more about Cooper interior »

2018 Mini Cooper Dimensions

Mini Cooper Cargo Space

There isn't a lot of cargo space in the Cooper. Two-door models have 8.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, and four-door models are slightly larger with 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space.

These cargo dimensions are for comparative purposes. There is no substitute for visually examining the storage area in any car you’re considering.

2018 Mini Cooper Length and Weight

• Length: roughly 12 feet, 6 inches to 13 feet, 2 inches
• Curb weight: about 2,625 to 3,035 pounds

Where Was the 2018 Mini Cooper Built?

Mini built the 2018 Cooper in England and the Netherlands.