Mini Range Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: MINI range
Prices: £11,270-£23,955 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-18
Emissions: 104-169g/km
Performance: [Cooper] Max Speed 127mph / 0-60mph 9.1s
Fuel Consumption: [Cooper] (combined) 52.3mpg
Safety: [Cooper] Six airbags, ABS with EBD and CBC, runflat tyres
Dimensions: Length 3699/1683/1407mm

Still the Leader in Fun

Our Rating: No Rating Available

For the most part BMW, the car maker that produces the MINI, have stuck to the same basic ideas that have made the MINI a worldwide phenomenon. There thinking is probably if it isn't broken don't try and fix it. That is often good advice until of course the world trends change and you are stuck with an outdated product. Luckily for BMW the trends are still small cars that act big, but the one thing that is changing is the consumer want power without destroying the world's environment. To that end the latest MINI models have more powerful engines that also get better fuel consumption and put out less CO2.

The entry level model if the MINI First and it comes with a 1.6-litre engine that puts out 75bhp with more torque than previous models and only puts out 127g/km of CO2 while getting an estimated 52.3mpg in combined driving. Consumers who step up to the MINI Convertible or Clubman and the 1.6-litre engine is still there, but it now produces 122bhp of power. For even more power buyers can step up to the MINI Cooper S and the horsepower jumps to 184bhp courtesy of the added turbocharger. If that isn't enough power to please then the top of the line engine comes under the bonnet of the MIN JCW (John Cooper Works) which produces 210bhp from the same 1.6-litre engine. There is also a MINI Cooper D that gets a diesel powered engine. Gas consumption numbers for the oil-burner come in at an impressive estimated 72.4mpg.

BMW has fitted all the MINI cars with Electromechanical power-assisted steering systems that helps in tight situations such as parking, but also is very responsive and higher speeds as well. The car also comes with a Sport setting the loosens up the throttle a little bit and gives a little more girth to the overall feeling of the steering set-up. All the cars also come with run flat tires which eliminates the need for a spare tire which allows for more interior space.

The MINI interior has been upgrade across the board to include much higher grade materials. The center speedometer is still prominent in front to the driver. That gauge area also shows entertainment info so the driver doesn't need to look away from the steering area to check the info. All these autos now come with keyless start systems and the stop/start button is placed where the old keyhole used to go. For people who like to treat the inside of their cars like a dance club can opt for the ambient lighting feature that changes to color of the interior lights to fit ones mood.

Prices for the MINIs are still in a decent place for most buyers of these types of cars. In fact the prices are a little low considering the owner is getting a high-quality car made by a world renowned German automaker. The car still leans toward the trendy younger crowd, but when the car sells 240,000 models a year BMW is pleased to make that crowd happy.