Thursday, January 8, 2026

2026 MINI Cooper Will get Delicate Updates, Oxford Version Returns

The latest era of the MINI Cooper debuted simply final 12 months, so it might be regular for MINI to depart properly sufficient alone. Nevertheless, the model does convey some small tweaks to the Cooper, albeit its largely aesthetics. Most significantly, the 2026 MINI Cooper continues to be accessible within the budget-minded Oxford Version trim degree, though in restricted portions. Choosing an Oxford Version shaves round $4,000 off the bottom MSRP with little of worth misplaced concerning facilities. Elsewhere, MINI provides a $1,200 John Cooper Works Type Package deal for Cooper S fashions. New mirror cap and roof shade choices be part of the catalog, too, making the Cooper ever so barely extra customizable. Lastly, most fashions improve to MINI Digital Key Plus. At supply, as a substitute of two key fobs, new house owners get a single fob and two further keycards. In any other case, the 2026 MINI Cooper is unchanged from final 12 months.

2026 MINI Cooper Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency

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The entry-level MINI Cooper C is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 161 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Stepping as much as the Cooper S brings a significant bump to 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet. On paper, these figures could appear modest, however they translate into noticeably stronger efficiency. In two-door kind, the Cooper S trims greater than a second off the usual automotive’s estimated dash to 60 mph, bettering from 7.4 seconds to a much more aggressive 6.3 seconds.

For patrons searching for one thing sharper, each the coupe and convertible are supplied in John Cooper Works specification. JCW fashions extract 221 horsepower from the identical fundamental engine, yielding incremental however worthwhile beneficial properties in straight-line pace. The JCW Coupe is estimated to achieve 60 mph in simply 5.9 seconds, with the Convertible shut behind at 6.2 seconds. Past efficiency, JCW trims distinguish themselves with particular exterior particulars, together with distinctive wheel designs and contrasting brake calipers. The newly accessible JCW Type Package deal replicates a lot of the visible remedy sans higher-output powertrain. Each 2026 MINI Cooper makes use of BMW’s 2.0-liter B48 four-cylinder engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission. It’s a front-wheel drive solely affair with no handbook gearbox accessible.

2026 MINI Cooper Gasoline Financial system and MPG

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Gasoline financial system figures are different throughout completely different physique kinds and powertrains. Nevertheless, virtually all variations of the 2026 MINI Cooper get across the similar score. In response to EPA testing, the Cooper C and Cooper S 2-Door and 4-Door fashions managed 32 mpg mixed, with the convertible and JCW fashions holding regular at 30 mpg mixed. The MINI Cooper has an 11.6-gallon gas tank.

Inside and Cargo House

Energy seats are nonetheless an non-compulsory further for the 2026 MINI Cooper, now costing $1,250 (up from $1,000 final 12 months). Not a giant deal in case you purchase into the model’s ethos. All vehicles include Vescin (artificial leather-based) and fabric upholstery, with no leather-based possibility. An $1,100 Consolation Package deal on the bottom vehicles provides Consolation Entry keyless entry and wi-fi cellphone charging, however the Signature Plus trim consists of that and provides another goodies that make it a worthwhile field to examine. Heated seats come customary, as does a panoramic moonroof.

Predictably, the MINI Cooper’s trunk area isn’t its sturdy suite. 4-door fashions get 13.1 cubic ft, whereas coupes should do with 8.9 cubic ft. In the meantime, convertibles get a paltry 7.6 cubic ft. Other than the vert, the Cooper’s tiny trunk continues to be roughly usable. For reference, the 2026 BMW 2 Collection Coupe will get 10 cubic ft of trunk area. Hauling bigger gadgets repeatedly would possibly dictate a bigger MINI Countryman.

2026 MINI Cooper Expertise and Connectivity

The Cooper’s personality-laden inside stays eminently usable, so long as you prefer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Every little thing’s displayed on a round OLED show in the course of the cabin. Customary stuff like over-the-air updates and navigation make even a base MINI really feel very trendy. There are a slew of techy choices accessible, too, starting from augmented actuality options to an interior-facing digital camera. Once more, the Signature Plus trim is the worth play right here, including distant engine begin, driving help options, and an alarm system.

Security and Driver Help Options

Customary driver-assistance tools on the 2026 MINI Cooper consists of Ahead Collision Mitigation, Lane Preserving Help, Left Flip Warning, and Velocity Restrict Help. MINI additionally bundles in eCall, together with entrance and rear parking sensors and Parking Assistant. Granted, the latter is maybe superfluous given the automotive’s small footprint. A surround-view digital camera system and Adaptive Cruise Management with Cease & Go can be found for individuals who need them. However skipping these extras helps maintain the worth in examine and preserves the Cooper’s general worth proposition.

2026 MINI Cooper Pricing

Costs rise for the MINI Cooper 12 months over 12 months. The 2026 MINI Cooper 2-Door is essentially the most inexpensive, now beginning at $29,500 up from $28,950. 4-door fashions begin at $30,500 and Convertible fashions command $34,600. We are able to’t discuss value with out briefly diving into the Oxford Version. The worth-minded possibility begins at simply $25,500 for the 2-Door, with 4-Door fashions commanding an additional $1,000. It’s removed from a penalty field, too, sporting good trying 18-inch wheels and accessible in three first rate colours (white, yellow, blue; pictured above in blue). Moreover, the Oxford Version ships with arguably crucial customary options intact. That listing features a heated steering wheel, heated entrance seats, a moonroof, and LED headlights. It’s the decide of the litter if value is even remotely a priority.

2026 MINI Cooper: Our Take

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As you climb the worth tiers, the MINI Cooper turns into a an increasing number of doubtful worth. Almost $40,000 for a JCW Cooper feels steep; contrastingly, the Oxford Version has me eyeing that vacant storage area. However the MINI Cooper nonetheless exists in a little bit of a distinct segment of its personal, notably when priced appropriately. Real sizzling hatches just like the Golf R and GR Corolla are nonetheless fairly a bit pricier than even the JCW Cooper. On our first drivewe thought the JCW was undoubtedly a extra metered automotive than rivals and its predecessors. However that’s partially a superb factor. And on the $30,000 or $33,000 mark, you most likely gained’t discover a extra enjoyable new FWD automotive. It’s a little bit of a balancing act, however the MINI Cooper can nonetheless be a strong worth purchase in 2026.

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