Used 2013 MINI Coupe

The 2013 Mini Cooper Coupe is among the newest arrivals in the automaker’s growing lineup. Introduced last year, the Coupe is a tiny 2-seater that puts an emphasis on agility and speed. Call it a go-kart for adults. The Cooper Coupe shares engine choices and mechanicals with its Mini siblings, but this 2-seater is the most distinctly styled in the automaker’s lineup thanks to its "helmet" style roof that appears to float above the car. While style is the priority in this niche vehicle, the Coupe is not totally impractical. A wide-opening rear hatch and a decent amount of cargo space make this car a joyous and fuel-efficient grocery fetcher, as long as you’re not shopping at Costco.

The 2013 Mini Cooper Coupe offers three levels of driving characteristics that correspond with what’s under the hood, though all of them are a mini step beyond each Coupe’s Hardtop kin. The familiar trio of 4-cylinder engine choices also offers similar straight-line performance. The base 1.6-liter adequately shuffles the Coupe to speed, but the fun literally accelerates with either of the turbocharged versions. The Cooper S is a truly vibrant vehicle, with 0-60 mph times in the mid-6-second range for both automatic- and manual-transmission versions. The top-line John Cooper Works (JCW) trim makes this a mighty Mini, with its 208-horsepower engine enabling the car to zoom to 60 mph in as little as 6.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 149 mph. Where all Minis excel, and this one especially, is on twisty roads. One caveat for drivers: The Coupe’s small greenhouse compromises side and rear visibility, especially when the rear spoiler rises.

If you’re familiar with Mini interiors in general, you’ll be familiar with the cabin in the Cooper Coupe. There is, of course, the larger-than-life speedometer in the very center of the dash, a gauge whose circumference is only slightly smaller than the steering wheel. Mini’s standard, eccentric array of tiny buttons, knobs and toggle switches are also par for the course, and just as potentially frustrating as ever. The Coupe’s two seats are comfortable, and behind them is a removable parcel shelf above a fixed bulkhead. A lockable pass-through opening leads to a 9.8-cubic-foot trunk.

The Mini Cooper Coupe is defined by its contrasting-color "helmet roof" that appears to float over the rest of the car. Unlike the traditional Hardtop with is rectangular shape, the Coupe is rounded because of its convex roof. In back is a hatch-style deck lid that lifts high for easy access to the cargo hull. Cooper S and JCW versions have twin tailpipes to designate their higher power outputs, while the base version makes due with a single exhaust outlet. All three versions have a rear spoiler that automatically pops up at speeds over 50 mph and adds to the Coupe’s sporty appearance.

SPORT BUTTON
This little button, standard on all models, transforms the Coupe’s driving dynamics by increasing steering effort and quickening throttle response. On automatic-transmission models, shifts are more aggressive, while Cooper S and JCW versions receive a heartier exhaust note while decelerating.

ACTIVE REAR SPOILER
This little wing on the trunk lid automatically lifts at speeds over 50 mph to increase downforce on the car. It also looks pretty cool. That being the case, you can raise it manually at lower speeds at the push of a button.

All three versions of the 2013 Mini Cooper Coupe come with remote entry, a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD/HD Radio audio system with auxiliary input, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, an air-conditioning system with microfilter, and a climate-controlled glovebox. Base versions ride on 15-inch alloy wheels, Cooper S versions roll on 16-inchers, and JCW models use 17-inch wheels. On the safety front, all Mini Coupe models have four airbags, traction- and brake-control systems, and specialized crumple zones and side-impact door beams. Routine maintenance is free for three years or 36,000 miles, and 24-hour roadside assistance is standard for four years/unlimited miles.

Like all Mini models, the 2013 Cooper Coupe can be highly customized outside and in. Among the more notable options are leather upholstery, the Mini Connected telematics system – with or without navigation – heated seats, a 10-speaker harman/kardon premium sound system, sport seats, and automatic climate control. For those who don’t want to do their own shifting, a 6-speed automatic transmission is available. A Dynamic Traction Control system is available for those who enjoy – and think they can handle – more spirited driving.

2013 Cooper Coupes use Mini’s familiar 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, which in Cooper S and JCW forms is turbocharged to be more powerful. The JCW version of the engine has been tweaked to be more fuel-efficient yet just as powerful as before. The base engine provides adequate acceleration, but the real fun is had with the turbo versions, which feature broad, flat torque "plateaus" and a great midrange response. An "overboost" feature on those engines increases maximum torque output for short periods of quicker acceleration. All Mini Cooper Coupes are fuel-efficient but require premium gasoline.

1.6-liter inline-4
121 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
114 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/37 mpg (manual), 28/36 mpg (automatic)

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4
181 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
177 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-5,000 rpm
(192 lb-ft of torque @1,750-4,500 rpm in overboost)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/35 mpg (manual), 26/34 mpg (automatic)

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4
208 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
192 lb-ft of torque @ 1,850-5,600 rpm
(207 lb-ft @ 2,000-5,200 rpm in overboost)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/35 mpg (manual), 25/34 (automatic)