2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door

We say premium subcompact car class, but the Mini Cooper is really a category all its own. Nothing else has the same combination of looks, personality, personalization, and driving dynamics.

A Mini Cooper is the antidote to all those SUVs that clog up the suburbs. It’s fizzy instead of frumpy, lithe instead of lumbering, interesting instead of insipid. Sure, the pricing is more toward premium than mainstream, but traditionally strong resale values is the final gift a Mini brings.

Mini Cooper and Cooper S versions of the Hardtop 4 Door and Convertible are now offered with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Cooper SE electric vehicle (EV) in Signature trim becomes eligible for the Upholstery package that includes leather seating surfaces. The Signature trim in general also gains navigation with real-time traffic updates.

Even though nothing else is quite like a Mini Cooper, there are some alternatives that deserve consideration. Such as the front-drive Volkswagen Golf GTI, which is roomier and more comfortable yet still wonderful to drive; pricing starts in the low $30K range. Buyers looking for an affordable yet highly enjoyable soft-top should absolutely check out the always-awesome Mazda MX-5 Miata, starting in the high $20K range.

Before buying a new Mini, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to find out what you should be paying. Minis enjoy robust resale values.

Front-wheel drive can be thrilling. The 2024 Mini Cooper cars bolster that argument so effectively. Even the base 134-horsepower 3-cylinder engine can be part of the fun, because it’s in a small and relatively light car that also has a suspension tuned for poise and quick responses.

As a great middle ground, the 189-horsepower Cooper S drivetrain provides affordable and accessible excitement. Those with a taste for the more extreme should check out the 228-horsepower John Cooper Works models. But keep in mind that a regular Mini rides on the firm side, while a JCW is even firmer.

This is also one of those cars where a manual transmission can be an asset, rather than just the cheaper version. Minis appeal to people who like driving, who want to get involved. A manual gearbox brings that greater degree of engagement.

There’s no point in complaining too much about the rear passenger space or trunk area. The 2024 Cooper is a subcompact, so accommodations for the driver and front passenger are prioritized. This isn’t meant to be a family car. That said, the Hardtop 4 Door only has 32.3 inches of rear legroom, a mere 1.5 inches more than the 2 Door.

Those whose stature is Mini-friendly, however, are treated to a cabin that’s far from typical. The infotainment display is round, measuring 8.8 inches in diameter and set right in the center of the dashboard. Some of the switches have an aircraft-style design. Mini does the basic stuff correctly as well — like comfortable and supportive front seats, plus well thought-out ergonomics.

This is all part of the Mini appeal, the particular approach to styling. Among the many ways to personalize a new Cooper subcompact hatchback (or convertible) is the option of stripes, white-painted side mirror housings, and contrasting roofs. Mini offers a multi-tone roof where three colors are used; three combinations are available.

The Mini Convertible also offers a fabric roof with a Union Jack design.

Union Jack taillights
The Union Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom, consisting of elements from the English, Scottish, and Welsh flags. The standard LED taillights of the 2024 Mini Cooper play with this design. The diagonal section is the regular taillight, the horizontal part acts as the turn signal, and the vertical part functions as the brake light.

Clever convertible roof
The fabric soft top of the 2024 Mini Cooper Convertible doesn’t just go up or down. The front part is able to slide open separately, so occupants can still have all the fresh air while keeping turbulence to a minimum.

Front-wheel drive
Accepted wisdom says that real driver’s cars have to be rear-wheel drive. Mini turns that notion on its head. Responses to steering inputs are quick, yet the handling is still safe and predictable. Mini is made by BMW, so plenty of driver-pleasing expertise has been applied.

Apple CarPlay
Sadly, phone integration is not standard in the base Cooper. Then again, Android Auto is not available at all across the whole Mini Cooper range. What year is this?

Harmon Kardon audio
Mini offers a great 12-speaker/360-watt Harman Kardon setup as either an option in the lower trims or standard in the higher versions.

Special editions
Untamed, Untold, and Resolute special editions are available with the top Iconic trim, adding various features that would cost more if ordered individually, as well as bringing bespoke color choices.

The base engine in the 2024 Hardtop and Convertible models is a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder unit making 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.

Things become progressively more interesting with the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder alternatives. The Cooper S variants enjoy 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, and the John Cooper Works versions are propelled by 228 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque.

Front-wheel drive is the sole configuration. The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual — a 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission is the 2-pedal option with the first two engines. The John Cooper Works models offer an 8-speed automatic transmission. All three of these turbocharged engines require premium gasoline.

The 2024 Mini Cooper SE Electric Hardtop 2 Door deploys a 135-kilowatt/181-horsepower electric motor energized by a lithium-ion battery. A full recharge from a DC fast charger takes just over 90 minutes. A 240-volt supply will do the job in 4.75 hours.

Maximum range of the Cooper SE is 114 miles, which is not that impressive, but this is one of the cheaper new electric cars, and it still has some Mini charm.

Cooper Hardtop 2/4 Door & Convertible
1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine
134 horsepower @ 4,400 rpm
162 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy (2023): 27/37 mpg (manual), 29/38 mpg (auto)

Cooper S Hardtop 2/4 Door & Convertible
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
189 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,350 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy (2023): 23/33 mpg (manual), 28/38 mpg (auto, Hardtop 2/4 Door), 27/36 mpg (auto, Convertible)

John Cooper Works
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
228 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy (2023): 22/31 mpg (manual, Hardtop 2 Door), 25/34 mpg (auto, Hardtop 2 Door), 24/33 mpg (auto, Convertible)

Cooper SE Hardtop 2 Door
Electric motor
181 horsepower
199 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy (2023): 119/100 MPGe
EPA-estimated range: 114 miles

More Mini Hardtop and Convertible fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-car and powertrain warranties on a Mini Cooper hatchback or convertible last for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. The high-voltage battery in the Mini Cooper SE electric car is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. These terms are typical in the luxury sector.