Name: Mini Cooper (2024) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mini Cooper
Rating: 68.0

Summary

The Mini Cooper is a small hatchback and the entry-level model in the Mini range. This is the fourth-generation model which is available to order in three-door and five door petrol configurations. There is also a battery-powered version – the Mini Cooper Electric – which we cover separately.

While the electric version has been built from scratch, this ICE-powered range is actually a heavily refreshed version of the third-generation Mini hatch, which first arrived in the UK in since 2014.

The ‘Cooper’ name is now used to describe all Mini hatchback models, rather than a specific trim level. This largely brings official Mini naming into line with common usage, since most people have always tended to describe the hatch as a ‘Mini Cooper’ anyway.

The range is divided by the entry-level ‘Cooper C’ and top-spec ‘Cooper S’ models, which are both automatics. These are engine options carried over from the previous third-generation Mini, but have been given performance boosts.

We’ll continue to update this page as more information is published. As of October 2024, the Mini Cooper holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 68%.

Key specifications

Body style: Small hatchback
Engines: petrol
Price: From £23,150 on-road

Launched: Spring 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Cooper S
Score: 9 / 10
“The new petrol Mini Cooper S has the same charm and idiosyncrasies as its predecessors – which should make it as popular as ever. It’s impractical, true, and it looks expensive on paper. But rock-solid residuals are likely to mean competitive monthly payments and, truth is, there’s nothing of this size and price that can match the Mini’s mix of keen driving dynamics and stellar cabin finish. It’s flawed, yes, but oh so desirable with it.”
Author: John McIlroy
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Mini might not have reinvented the wheel with its new petrol Cooper, but it has improved an already-winning package as part of this new generation. It’s still great fun to drive, even if there’s no manual, and easily has the best interior of any small car.”
Author: Ted Welford
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview (petrol and electric)
Score: 8 / 10
“The car’s ride can be a little harsh and the Mini Cooper is not very practical, but those aspects have never really been the point and Mini now offers the larger Aceman. We think the Mini Cooper will prove as popular as ever, we just wish there was a manual version for added driver involvement.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, John McIlroy
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview (including Cooper Electric)
“The definitive city car, refined.”
Author: Luke Wilkinson
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The new Mini Cooper has its charms, being thoroughly stylish, powerful and – for the most part – good to drive. It has its flaws, but the Cooper has always appealed more to the heart than the head.”
Author: Oliver Young
Read review

Incomplete media rating

As of October 2024, we only have a few early reviews of the new Mini Cooper. We’ll keep updating this page as more reviews are published, so keep checking back for all the latest information.

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of October 2024, the Mini Cooper has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

Although it’s based on the same platform as the previous-generation Mini hatch, there have been plenty of updates and modifications, so the old model’s Euro NCAP rating is not a useful guide to how well the new model may perform when Euro NCAP tests it.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of October 2024, the Mini Cooper has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the new Mini Cooper to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Cooper, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	47 mpg	C	– mpg	E – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	136 g/km	B	– g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	23	B	21 – 35	A – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£159	A
Year 2	£432	A
Year 3	£695	A
Year 4	£935	A
Year 5	£1,236	A
Overall	£3,457	A

The Mini Cooper should be a pretty inexpensive car to own and run, according to long-term ownership costs data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption is only middling, which is somewhat disappointing for a small car. But servicing costs are very low, while insurance should also be very competitively priced.