Confused about the Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S, and all the zillion other variants? You’re not alone. Read our guide to become a Mini mastermind
Mini is a popular brand in the UK – buyers love its retro styling, chic character, sporty handling and posh interiors. But if you’re trying to find the right specification and trim level for you, it can be mystifying to work out what’s what, and what the difference is between a Cooper Sport and a Cooper S Classic, for example.
Whether you’re shopping for a Mini that’s old or new, we’ve broken down the exhausting Mini range. By the end of this page you’ll be a Mini megabrain.
Once you’ve found the Mini for you, find it at Motorpoint – we have many exciting Minis for sale, all with low mileage and warranty cover.
Mini Hatchback, Countryman range 2023-present
Models:
Mini Cooper C/ Cooper S
The Mini Cooper is the new name for the three-door Mini hatchback – the standard Mini, if you like. C versions have a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 154hp, while S versions have a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 201hp.
Mini Cooper E/ Cooper SE
The Mini Electric (also known as the Mini Cooper SE) now has two powertrain options. The Cooper SE still exists, and this time it’s the most powerful option with 218hp – up from 184hp in the cheaper Cooper E. There’s a wider difference in range of the two powertrains – the Cooper E manages up to 190 miles on a full charge, whereas the bigger battery in the Cooper SE enables a 250-mile range (which is about double the range of the previous Mini Electric).
Mini Countryman C/ Countryman S All4/ Countryman E/ Countryman SE All4
The Mini Countryman now uses the same naming structure as the Mini Cooper above. It’s available with fully electric power for the first time; E versions have 204hp and a maximum range of 281 miles, while SE models come with four-wheel drive, 313hp and a 262-mile range. Petrol ‘C’ versions have 170hp; S gets 218hp.
Mini John Cooper Works Countryman All4
A standalone high-performance model at the top of the Countryman range, with 300hp and a 0-62mph time of just 5.4 seconds. It’s sold with the Sport trim package. Keeping up so far?
Trims:
These three trim levels are available on everything we’ve just mentioned except the John Cooper Works Countryman.
Classic
Classic is the entry-level model, with a streamlined appearance featuring the smallest alloy wheels and a body-coloured roof.
Exclusive
A more premium trim level with a greater focus on personalisation. You get larger wheels as standard, with either a silver or diamond-cut finish, and plusher interior trim.
Sport
Range-topping Sport trim gets black trim accents and a body kit inspired by the standalone John Cooper Works models. You even get JCW badges splattered all over the exterior and interior. There’s a lot of black and red combinations in the Sport trim, giving a racy look.
Mini Hatchback, Clubman, Countryman, Convertible range 2018-2023
Models:
Mini One/Cooper/Cooper S/John Cooper Works
The Mini One, also known as the One Classic, is the entry-level Mini hatchback. It’s not as customisable as the other trim levels, but it still has chrome trim and will typically offer the cheapest purchase and insurance costs. The One gets around 100hp, which is plenty to shift the lightweight Mini.
Cooper and Cooper S models are available on the Mini hatchback, Convertible, the Clubman estate and the Countryman SUV. The Cooper has a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 136hp, while the Cooper S ups that to 178hp (or more for earlier models) for nippy acceleration without huge fuel costs.
All models also feature a JCW range-topper. Hatchback and Convertible models get 231hp and front-wheel drive, for a 6.5-second 0-62mph time, but newer Clubman and Countryman JCWs come with four-wheel drive and a huge 306hp for the quickest acceleration. JCWs usually have the least comfortable ride and the highest running costs.
Trims:
Classic/Sport/Exclusive
Cooper and Cooper S versions are available in three trim levels: Classic, Sport and Exclusive. As above, the Classic is the entry-level model, with Sport getting racy extras and Exclusive providing a more luxurious experience. Generally, Sport and Exclusive get more standard equipment than Classic, such as rear parking sensors and cruise control.
Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
The first-generation Mini Electric doesn’t follow the trim levels used in the rest of the lineup. Level 1 comes with sat nav, cruise control, ambient lighting and a leather steering wheel. Level 2 adds rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, heated front seats with part-leather trim, keyless entry, and you also get to choose from a wider selection of paint colours and alloy wheels. Top-spec Level 3 has leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlights, front parking sensors, a head-up display and a sunroof.
Confusingly, Mini now uses Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 for the names of its option packs for the latest Mini Countryman.
First, Cooper D, Cooper SD, One D
Earlier Mini models came with a wider range of engines, including a couple of diesel engines. The One D and Cooper D use a 1.5-litre diesel engine with 95hp and 116hp respectively, while the Cooper SD was a warmed-up diesel alternative to the petrol Cooper S. This is powered by a 2.0-litre, 170hp diesel engine, which offers both performance and fuel economy.
Meanwhile, the First sat below the Mini One hatchback as a cheaper way into Mini ownership. Power was capped at 75hp to keep insurance costs low.
Mini special editions
- 60 Years – 2019 Mini Cooper S with racing green metallic paint, black bonnet stripes and polished six-spoke alloys
- Baker Street – 2013 Mini Cooper hatchback with special grey paint, and black bonnet stripes and alloys
- Bayswater – 2013 hatchback with blue and grey bonnet stripes, and silver-edged 17-inch wheels. Available with either blue or black paint
- Boardwalk – 2021 Countryman edition in Deep Laguna Blue with black trim and unique Boardwalk logo. Limited to 325 units
- Bond Street – 2013 Clubman with Midnight Black paint and a champagne-coloured roof
- Camden – one of two 50th anniversary editions released in 2009. Camden cars came in silver with a white roof and a special grille badge
- Challenge 210 – 2015 hatchback that sat between Cooper S and JCW. 210hp, grey paint and black stripes, 210 made
- Checkmate – 2005 run-out special with Space Blue paint and a silver roof (with matching interior), and chequered flag graphics on the front wing. Limited to Cooper S
- Cooper S 25th Anniversary – 2018 convertible model with Starlight Blue paint, 18-inch alloy wheels and grey leather upholstery
- Cooper S Paddy Hopkirk Edition – 2021 car with red paint, offset white bonnet stripe and white roof. Celebrates Hopkirk’s 1964 Monte Carlo rally win; only 100 built
- Cooper S Works – a 2018 take on the Challenge 210 edition, with a Bluetooth controller to make the exhaust louder
- Electric Collection – a 300-strong limited-edition Mini Electric model, based on the Level 3 trim and boasting the rare Multitone roof. A panoramic sunroof was a no-cost optional extra
- Graphite – 2009 edition with Dark Silver metallic paint (previously limited to top-spec cars) and piano black interior trim
- Hampton – Clubman edition in 2012 with Reef Blue paint, a black roof, black leather seats and 17-inch wheels
- Highgate – 2013 Mini Convertible with Iced Chocolate paint, Truffle bonnet stripes and 17-inch Union Jack-inspired wheels
- John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition – a run-out edition that is the last Mini to be fitted with a manual gearbox. 2023, limited to 150 units
- John Cooper Works GP – fastest, hardest versions of Mini JCW hatch. All three generations have had grey paint, four-spoke alloys and red accents, and are very limited. Latest GP3 edition has huge carbon-fibre side panels
- Inspired by Goodwood – the Rolls-Royce of Minis, literally. The Goodwood edition has Rolls-Royce leather and lambswool carpets. Costing over £40,000 new, it’s a rare and very collectable special edition
- London 2012 – Olympics-themed edition with London 2012 logo, Union Jack stripe and a numbered plaque featuring the London skyline. Available in Chili Red, White Silver or Lightning Blue
- Mayfair – the other 2009 50th anniversary edition, with brown paint, a white roof and the same grille badge as the Camden
- Multitone Edition – 2022 Mini Electric with a new Multitone roof design, Sage Green paint, rainbow decals and white exterior trim. Limited to 200 UK units
- One 1499GT – a 2018 Mini One that riffed off the classic 1275GT. Most were black and gold; 1,499 were built
- Park Lane – 2005 edition with Royal Grey paint and, often, silver U-shaped bonnet stripes, plus exclusive graphics and leather trim. Returned as a 2016 Countryman with grey paint and red stripes
- Pimlico – 2011 edition with Laser Blue metallic paint, piano black interior trim and 16-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels
- Resolute Edition – 2022 limited-edition with Rebel Green paint with Pepper White roof and bronze exterior trim. Available on three-door and five-door Mini hatchbacks
- Seaside Edition – 2023 Mini Convertible with Caribbean Aqua paint and 18-inch two-tone wheels
- Seven – 2005 and 2018 editions with ‘7’ decals. Many 2018 ones are dark blue with a silver roof
- Sidewalk – 2020 Mini Convertible Cooper S with Deep Laguna Blue paint, Sidewalk logo and unique roof graphics, plus Harman Kardon sound system and head-up display. Limited to 150 units. Recalls name of 2007 edition
- Shadow Edition – 2021 range with Midnight Black paint, silver roof and black trim, plus special-edition graphics and JCW body kit. Available on all models with Cooper, Cooper S and Electric powertrains
- Soho – 2011 edition with White Silver paint, darkened headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels and piano black interior trim
- Untamed Edition – 2022 Mini Countryman with exclusive Momentum Grey paint, black exterior trim and four grey diagonal stripes
- Untold Edition – 2022 Mini Clubman with Sage Green paint, JCW body kit, dark green exterior trim, black/gold 18-inch wheels and stripes. 2023 Final Edition used same wheels and stripes
