2027 Mini CooperMiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniPhoto credit: MiniMini style and quirkinessEngaging, efficient powertrainsAvailable convertibleLimited cargo volume and passenger spaceNo manual transmissionOverly cutesy infotainmentSmall, affordable cars seem to be going the way of the dodo, but Mini continues to offer its iconic hatchback (and convertible) for those who value style and fun over size.The 2027 Mini Cooper Hardtop returns with minor updates adding more customization to the lineup. Additionally, Mini leans into its British roots with a new Heritage Edition package celebrating 25 years of the brand's modern revival.Rivals include other small hatchbacks like the Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla. On the convertible side, drop-top alternatives are the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Ford Mustang.What's NewBasicsA Heritage Edition model with nostalgia-inducing accents calling back to the Mini Cooper's British originsExteriorWhite roof and mirror caps available for John Cooper Works (JCW) models with Signature Plus or Iconic trimsPiano black exterior trim available for Cooper C and Cooper S models equipped at the Signature Plus or Iconic trim levels with the Favoured Style packageInteriorVescin beige with black knit upholstery available for Cooper S and JCW 2 Door modelsVescin nightshade blue with black knit available for Cooper S modelsCooper C and Cooper S models with the Classic Style package receive a standard black and blue knit storage boxWhat We ThinkYour daily commute doesn't have to be a soul-sucking schlep. That's why cars like the 2027 Mini Cooper and Convertible exist. Now in its fourth generation, the Cooper Hardtop stays true to its lineage of cheerful design and agile handling.AdvertisementAdvertisementCustomization is just as important as driving fun when it comes to this range of two- and four-door hatchbacks, plus the convertible. Although there aren't any mechanical changes for the new model year, Mini adds new options to keep things fresh including a Anglophilic Heritage Edition.There's more to the 2027 Mini Cooper beneath the surface, too. Powertrains are smooth and surprisingly efficient, even at the sportier end of the lineup. Outside of the enthusiast-oriented John Cooper Works, which has stiffened suspension for performance driving, the rest of the Mini Hardtop lineup rides comfortably for everyday driving.Inside the cabin, Mini's quirkiness shines through. Even the base model has interesting materials and cool textiles. In classic Mini fashion, there's a circular center display that combines infotainment and gauge cluster display functions backed up by a head-up display with vital driver information. Unfortunately, the round screen can be too cutesy for its own good, sacrificing usability for eccentric features.As for the Convertible, it exists in a middle ground between the Miata and the Mustang, offering more interior space than the Mazda with more agility than the Ford.AdvertisementAdvertisementAlthough the Mini Cooper isn't quite as sporty as the prior-generation model, especially with the absence of a manual transmission or paddle shifters on most variants, it strikes an appealing balance of retro-futuristic design and driver engagement. The car is still small and less practical compared to other hatchbacks on the market, but if the Cooper weren't compact, it wouldn't be a Mini, would it?Top-Ranked Competitors:Volkswagen GTIHonda CivicMazda MX-5 MiataMotorTrend TestedEvery 2027 Mini Cooper receives a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine sending power to the front wheels by way of a seven-speed automatic transmission. In base Cooper C form, the engine produces 161 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, which allows the Mini to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds.The Cooper S offers a hot hatchback driving experience, developing 201 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. That drops acceleration to a MotorTrend-tested 0–60-mph time of 5.9 seconds for two-door models and 6.1 seconds for four-door variants.AdvertisementAdvertisementEven hotter is the John Cooper Works, which cranks out 228 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque thanks to its powertrain upgrades. Launch times drop to 5.9 seconds, according to Mini, but we wager the JCW will be even quicker in our testing.If you want even more performance, you'll have to look outside of the Mini lineup. Our 2026 Car of the Year, the Volkswagen GTI and Golf R, launch from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 and 4.1 seconds, respectively.MPGs and RangeAlthough the 2027 Mini Cooper Hardtop is generally sporty, it's also very efficient for a quick-accelerating hatchback. The entry-level Mini Cooper C is most efficient with four doors and is rated at 28/39 mpg city/highway. The two-door model is good for 27/39 mpg.The Mini Cooper S returns 28/39 mpg regardless of configuration. Both Cooper C and S variants can drive 371 miles per tank.AdvertisementAdvertisementA hot rod compared to the rest of the Mini Cooper Hardtop lineup, the JCW model only takes a slight fuel economy penalty despite its heightened output. The EPA rates the Mini JCW at 27/37 mpg and 348 miles of range.Neither version of the Volkswagen Golf is more efficient than any Mini Cooper Hardtop variant. The Volkswagen GTI is rated at 24/32 mpg while the AWD Golf R gets 22/31 mpg. Golf models are good for comparable range to Mini's hatchbacks, though. The EPA rates the GTI at 356 miles of range and the Golf R at 362.As for the Convertible, every version is more efficient than the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The tiny rear-wheel-drive Mazda roadster gets 26/34–35 mpg and 345 miles of range.Safety FeaturesThe 2027 Mini Cooper is available with a wealth of driver assist features, but many of those items are optional or tucked away in equipment packages.Standard FeaturesOnly a handful of active safety features are standard on the 2027 Mini Cooper. All models receive automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, LED headlights with cornering lights, and front and rear parking sensors.Available FeaturesMany desirable features are bundled in options packages. The Driving Assistant Plus package contains camera- and radar-based steering assistance with lane keep assistance. Ticking the box for Mini's Parking Assistant Plus allows the Cooper Hardtop to find and automatically maneuver into parking spaces. Adaptive cruise control with auto stop-and-go capability is saved for the top-level Iconic trim.Cargo Space and Interior RoomIn keeping with the automaker's name, the 2027 Mini Cooper Hardtop is smaller than its rivals. That makes for easy maneuvering and driving fun but comes at the expense of second-row passenger space and cargo volume.Then there's the 2027 Mini Convertible, which sacrifices cargo space and second-row legroom in the name of subcompact fun.TechnologyInfotainmentAll 2027 Mini Cooper Hardtop models are standard with a circular 9.4-inch infotainment touchscreen that also functions as a digital instrument cluster. This central display has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability along with navigation and Mini's Augmented View traffic information.The round screen runs Mini Operating System 9 with voice commands and over-the-air functionality. It's supported by a head-up display, which serves as an eyes-up solution for gauge cluster information. Other tech includes digital key functionality and wireless charging.Sound SystemThe 2027 Mini Cooper Hardtop is standard with six-speaker audio. An upgraded 12-speaker setup from Harman Kardon is also available.Mini Experience ModesMini isn't afraid to play around with personalization, as seen with the twin projectors available inside the Cooper Hardtop's cabin. You can use these projectors to change the look of the interior with the Mini Experience Modes feature via the automaker's app.ValueStandard FeaturesFor 2027, the Mini Cooper C is the entry-level version of the Hardtop hatchback. It comes standard with the base Signature trim, which equips 17-inch wheels, four paint colors, a body-color roof, and the Classic Style package.Inside the cabin, there's a circular 9.4-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a head-up display. The two-door Cooper C begins just under $31,000.Recommended TrimConfigurability is one of the 2027 Mini Cooper's strengths. It's available in two- and four-door body styles with Cooper C, Cooper S, and JCW powertrains. Trims include Signature, Signature Plus, and Iconic.Our recommended combination is the Cooper S with the Iconic trim and the JCW style package. Selecting this setup equips top-level features such as 17- or 18-inch wheels, navigation with augmented reality, front and rear parking sensors, the Harmon Kardon sound system, and an interior camera. It also gets paddle shifters and sport brakes along with sporty styling accents.This model begins just over $40,000, which we think is a fair price for a highly equipped four-door hatchback or convertible, which is a few thousand dollars more.Not Just for Recent Grads: The Oxford Edition ReturnsMini used to offer the Mini Cooper Hardtop with the Oxford Edition, an affordable model, exclusive to graduating students at a price that undercut the mainstream base model. Now the Oxford Edition trim is available as a limited-run variant of the two- and four-door Mini Hardtop hatchbacks that retains its compelling pricing.Building off the Mini Cooper C, the Oxford Edition can be painted Sunny Side Yellow, Blazing Blue Metallic, or Nanuq White Metallic. Regardless of paint color, a black roof and mirror caps are standard. Oxford Edition models roll on 18-inch wheels with summer tires, a more premium setup than the base Cooper C. Inside the cabin, there are sport seats in gray and blue Vescin.Pricing starts just under $27,000 for the two-door 2027 Mini Cooper Oxford Edition and just under $28,000 for the four-door model.Celebrating 25 Years of Modern Mini with the Heritage EditionThe Mini brand is intrinsically tied to British pop culture, and the Cooper Hardtop's Heritage Edition tips its hat to that relationship as the revived brand celebrates its 25-year anniversary. A Union Jack painted on the Mini Cooper S Heritage Edition's roof makes this model easily identifiable.The white and red stripes of the flag run down the hood and hatch, making this special edition model even more recognizable. Just two body colors are available: Chili Red and Indigo Sunset Blue. White mirror caps match the base color of the roof.Other features include 18-inch wheels with special center caps and valve stem caps, Union Jack details inside the cabin, edition-specific floormats, and door sill plates.The 2027 Mini Cooper S Heritage Edition is exclusively available for the two-door body style. Keep calm and carry on, pricing begins under $41,000.