Used 2020 MINI Hardtop

The 2020 Mini Cooper isn’t really a Mini Cooper. The proper names for variants of this front-wheel-drive subcompact range are: Hardtop 2 Door, Hardtop 4 Door and Convertible. The first two names are surprisingly mundane, but they provide a basic description. They also sell the car short, however.

A Mini is engaging, entertaining, energetic, enjoyable and enthralling. It doesn’t sit with other subcompact hatchbacks like the Honda Fit because it’s more expensive and aimed at a completely different kind of buyer. The reason it costs extra is that it’s more of a premium car.

While many upscale cars justify their higher prices with luxury features like classier materials and a tranquil ride, the Mini brings excitement into the equation (thanks in part to parent company BMW’s input), along with distinctive design and the ability to personalize. For drivers who like their cars to be more than mere transportation, there’s nothing else like a Mini.

The Clubman, Countryman and new-for-2020 Cooper SE electric vehicle are all reviewed separately.

Every Mini is stable and nimble. Even the base 2020 Cooper Hardtop 2 Door feels sufficiently zippy with its turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, running from standstill to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Naturally, the Cooper S is quicker, but the John Cooper Works models are quickest, thanks to 228 horsepower.

All Mini suspensions are tuned for driving thrills rather than sedate suppleness, willing to change direction with quick flicks of the steering wheel. When the front wheels start to understeer, the Mini can be coaxed around corners by tweaking the amount of throttle. It’s a blast. The JCW treatment means an extra-firm suspension, though.

Freeway stretches are less glorious, because of the Mini’s taut ride accompanied by noticeable road noise.

A 2020 Mini is made distinct not only by its exterior but also by its interior. The cabin is full of attractive details like the row of switches that look like they should come from a World War II fighter plane and the 6.5-inch central touch screen dominating the dashboard while introducing modern technology like Bluetooth into the mix.

Despite retro approaches in other areas, the front seats are wonderfully current, offering comfort with plenty of support for those times when quick cornering is possible. Rear passengers won’t have it quite so good. The 2nd-row bench of the Hardtop 4 Door will take three people, as long as they don’t mind rubbing elbows and thighs.

Short overhangs and a low-to-the-ground stance make the 2020 Mini look as if it’s ready to rally even when it’s parked.  The Iconic trim theme offers several fun colors, while options include roof and side mirrors in contrasting colors, plus go-faster hood stripes. The more powerful models have a hood scoop.

Hardtop versions are regular hatchbacks, allowing the back seats to be folded when there’s some cargo carrying to be done. The Mini Convertible’s tailgate drops down to access a small trunk area.

The 4-door Mini Hardtop is about six inches longer than the 2-door, but neither car is ungainly around town.

UNION JACK TAILLIGHTS
The Union Jack is the United Kingdom’s flag, incorporating symbols from England, Scotland and Wales. The 2020 Cooper’s LED taillights echo this design with horizontal turn indicators, vertical brake lights and diagonal taillights. A charming bit of Britishness.

CLEVER CONVERTIBLE ROOF
It isn’t just an open and shut case with the fabric roof of the 2020 Mini Convertible. There’s also a half-open position where the front portion slides back like a panoramic sunroof, providing an open-air feel without all the turbulence.

As well as the drivetrain and performance differences in Cooper, Cooper S and JCW cars, the 2020 Mini Cooper also has trim themes of Classic, Signature and Iconic. Classic comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, black simulated-leather upholstery, active cruise control, forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, front/rear parking sensors and a Parking Assistant.

Signature includes 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, panoramic roof, heated front seats, 7-speed DCT and LED exterior lighting. Iconic brings 17-inch alloy wheels, real leather upholstery, navigation and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.

The 2020 Mini Convertible has a power top. Top-of-the-line John Cooper Works versions also have stronger brakes.

Minis are almost endlessly customizable. The base 2020 Cooper Hardtop 2 Door in Classic offers the fewest options, although buyers can still swap out the standard 6-speed manual transmission for an automatic, order 18-inch alloy wheels, smartphone cradle, satellite radio and Union Jack side-mirror covers.

The Cooper S offers dynamic dampers, a good choice for those needing the most comfortable ride but not wanting to lose the sportiness.

Other options include an 8.8-inch touch screen, wireless charging, additional USB port, and a Harman Kardon 360-watt/12-speaker audio upgrade (the standard setup is unimpressive).

A 3-cylinder engine might not seem inspiring in theory, but the turbocharged 1.5-liter unit in the 2020 Mini Cooper produces a respectable 134 horsepower, motivating a small and fairly light car. Maximum torque arrives at a low 1,250 rpm, so the engine pulls strongly from barely above idle.

Cooper S models have a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder developing 189 horsepower and a punchy 207 lb-ft of torque. The same engine in John Cooper Works versions is boosted to 228 horsepower.

In all these 2020 Minis, power goes to the front wheels. Transmissions are either a 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic or a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual (DCT). Fuel consumption is more than bearable, although pricier premium grade gasoline is required.

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 (Cooper)
134 horsepower @ 4,400 rpm
162 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/38 mpg (manual, Hardtop 2 Door), 28/37 mpg (manual, Convertible & Hardtop 4 Door), 28/36 mpg (7-speed DCT, Hardtop 2/4 Door & Convertible)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Cooper S)
189 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,350 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg (manual), 26/35 mpg (7-speed Sport DCT), 26/34 mpg (7-speed Sport DCT, Convertible)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (John Cooper Works)
228 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg (manual, Hardtop 2 Door), 26/34 mpg (8-speed automatic, Hardtop 2 Door), 25/33 mpg (8-speed automatic, Convertible)