Used 2021 MINI Hardtop

The 2021 Mini Cooper range consists of the Hardtop 2 Door, Hardtop 4 Door, and Convertible body styles. Then there are separate trim levels and the more intense John Cooper Works variants. There also is the fully electric Mini Cooper Electric SE Hardtop 2 Door.

Each Mini Cooper deploys front-wheel drive. There are several advantages to this setup, one being a maximization of cabin space. Another being a fun yet safe driving experience.

A Mini is engaging, entertaining, energetic, enjoyable, and enthralling. It doesn’t compete with other subcompact hatchbacks like the Honda Fit, because it’s more expensive and aimed at a different kind of buyer. A Mini’s pricing is on the higher side because it skews toward premium, as opposed to mainstream.

While many upscale vehicles justify their 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.

For 2021, there’s a new 1499 GT Special Edition, which pays homage to the Mini 1275 GT of 1969. It’s a Midnight Black 2-door Mini with black exterior trim and gold side graphics, and it’s equipped with the JCW body kit and roof spoiler along with sporty JCW seats and upholstery. The 1499 refers to the displacement of the turbocharged 3-cylinder engine in cubic centimeters, and the transmission is a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Only 150 of these 1499 GT Special Editions are coming to the U.S.

Stable and nimble is the Mini approach. Even the base 2021 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 and now 301 horsepower in the new John Cooper Works GP edition.

All Mini suspensions enjoy tuning 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.

This is especially true of the new-for-2021 GP, which is even more track-focused (in other words, really stiff). But it is the fastest and most powerful production Mini the company has ever produced.

Freeway stretches are more of a chore, however, because of the taut suspensions and noticeable road noise.

A 2021 Mini is made distinct not only by its exterior but also by its interior. The cabin is full of attractive details, such as the row of switches that look like they should come from a World War II fighter plane and the 6.5-inch central touchscreen dominating the dashboard, while bringing modern technology like smartphone integration 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 second-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 2021 Mini look as if it’s ready to rally even when 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 fold when there’s some cargo carrying to do. 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 2021 Cooper’s LED taillights echo this design with horizontal turn signals, 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 2021 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 2021 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, forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors.

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

The 2021 Mini Convertible has a powered top. Top-of-the-line John Cooper Works versions also have stronger brakes.

The JCW GP is a well-equipped one-trim variant, with few options. Buyers can specify a climate system deletion (losing weight for track work) at no extra charge.

In addition to a digital gauge package, the Mini Electric has dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats.

Minis are almost endlessly customizable. The base 2021 Cooper Hardtop 2 Door in Classic trim offers the fewest options. However, 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 sacrifice the sportiness.

For 2021, the Signature trim is eligible for an options bundle that includes navigation with real-time traffic updates and Apple CarPlay. Additionally, it can come with a new digital driver information display that’s standard in the Iconic models.

Other options include an 8.8-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, extra 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 2021 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 the John Cooper Works versions gets boosted to 228 or 301 horsepower (GP).

In all these 2021 Minis, power goes to the front wheels. Transmissions are either a 6-speed manual, an 8-speed automatic, or a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual (DCT). Fuel consumption is more than bearable, although pricier premium grade gasoline is recommended.

The Mini Electric has a 181-horsepower electric motor driving its front wheels, so it’s comparable in power to the Cooper S. EPA range is only 110 miles. According to Mini, the 32.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack can be brought up to an 80% charge in as little as 36 minutes using a 50-watt Level 3 charger. With a more conventional Level 2 charger at 7.4 kilowatts, that battery can be charged at a rate of 20% per hour.

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), 28/37 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: 23/33 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: 23/33 mpg (manual, Hardtop 2 Door), 26/34 mpg (8-speed automatic, Hardtop 2 Door), 25/33 mpg (8-speed automatic, Convertible)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (John Cooper Works GP Hardtop 2 Door)
301 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
331 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/30 mpg

135-kW AC synchronous electric motor (Mini Cooper Electric SE Hardtop)
32.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
181 horsepower
199 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 115 MPGe/100 MPGe
EPA range: 110 miles