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2010 MINI Cooper Hardtop Review

November 8, 2009

STYLING | 10 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

clown-car styling inside and out
MyRide

isn't the most ergonomically friendly setup
Motor Trend

MINI design team...has done excellent work
Automobile

The 2010 MINI Cooper/Convertible returns for the latest model year unchanged, and to enthusiasts that's perfectly fine. The MINI Cooper lineup brims with personality and a timeless flair, and in any version-hatchback or convertible, base or turbo or John Cooper Works-it's a delightful car to drive. With a base price of $19,500 for the Cooper hatchback, $23,000 for the Cooper S hatchback, $24,950 for the Cooper Convertible, and $27,850 for the Cooper S ragtop, it competes against the likes of the Volkswagen New Beetle and the Mazda Miata, making possible inroads with Ford Mustang shoppers.

For this year, or really since the hatchback was revamped in 2008, the MINI Cooper's styling hasn't changed much. And it doesn't need to-it's a picture-perfect homage to the original MINI-as it "brims with character," ConsumerGuide says, though it's grown considerably larger for the modern era, with its 15-inch wheels outsizing the original 10-inchers, and the higher front end couching all sorts of safety gear. It's a little kitschy-the smiling grille, the wide patches of chrome, the bug-eye headlamps-and utterly endearing. It's "available in mild, medium and caliente flavors," states Autoblog, "officially designated as the Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works edition." Cooper S and JCW models get a slightly bulged hood to accommodate their turbochargers-and of course, all MINIs can be personalized with a dizzying array of paint colors, decals, fabrics, door and dash trim pieces, and body add-ons. Convertibles lose the roofline that sets the MINI's wedgy stance, but the top design apes it closely, and a wide band of chrome at the shoulder line is a smart touch. In all, it's a spot-on recollection of older MINIs, and though MyRide slams its "clown-car styling," Edmunds simply loves the "endearing retro styling."

Inside the MINI Cooper has a dash that's wild with circles, winged shapes, chromed switches, and a 160-mph speedometer sitting dead center, not in front of the driver. It's interesting to look at, less enjoyable to actually use-at times, clever overkill, and that's before you add your own color and trim scheme to the fray. Motor Trend points out the "questionable ergonomics" of the interior. ConsumerGuide says "many dashboard gauges and controls sacrifice functionality for 'retro' style," including the speedometer and the tachometer, which is "partially blocked from view." MyRide agrees; that speedometer "may be a great styling element, but in practice it constantly reflects the outside world and suffers from noticeable parallax error."

Conclusion

The 2010 MINI Cooper/Convertible perfectly reinvents its sheetmetal heritage, but the interior's plastic-fantastic controls need work.

STYLING | 10 out of 10Expert Quotes:clown-car styling inside and outMyRideisn't the most ergonomically friendly setupMotor TrendMINI design team...has done excellent workAutomobile The 2010 MINI Cooper/Convertible returns for the latest model year unchanged, and to enthusiasts that's perfectly fine. The MINI Cooper lineup brims with personality and a timeless flair, and in any version-hatchback or convertible, base or turbo or John Cooper Works-it's a delightful car to drive. With a base price of $19,500 for the Cooper hatchback, $23,000 for the Cooper S hatchback, $24,950 for the Cooper Convertible, and $27,850 for the Cooper S ragtop, it competes against the likes of the Volkswagen New Beetle and the Mazda Miata, making possible inroads with Ford Mustang shoppers. For this year, or really since the hatchback was revamped in 2008, the MINI Cooper's styling hasn't changed much. And it doesn't need to-it's a picture-perfect homage to the original MINI-as it "brims with character," ConsumerGuide says, though it's grown considerably larger for the modern era, with its 15-inch wheels outsizing the original 10-inchers, and the higher front end couching all sorts of safety gear. It's a little kitschy-the smiling grille, the wide patches of chrome, the bug-eye headlamps-and utterly endearing. It's "available in mild, medium and caliente flavors," states Autoblog, "officially designated as the Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works edition." Cooper S and JCW models get a slightly bulged hood to accommodate their turbochargers-and of course, all MINIs can be personalized with a dizzying array of paint colors, decals, fabrics, door and dash trim pieces, and body add-ons. Convertibles lose the roofline that sets the MINI's wedgy stance, but the top design apes it closely, and a wide band of chrome at the shoulder line is a smart touch. In all, it's a spot-on recollection of older MINIs, and though MyRide slams its "clown-car styling," Edmunds simply loves the "endearing retro styling." Inside the MINI Cooper has a dash that's wild with circles, winged shapes, chromed switches, and a 160-mph speedometer sitting dead center, not in front of the driver. It's interesting to look at, less enjoyable to actually use-at times, clever overkill, and that's before you add your own color and trim scheme to the fray. Motor Trend points out the "questionable ergonomics" of the interior. ConsumerGuide says "many dashboard gauges and controls sacrifice functionality for 'retro' style," including the speedometer and the tachometer, which is "partially blocked from view." MyRide agrees; that speedometer "may be a great styling element, but in practice it constantly reflects the outside world and suffers from noticeable parallax error." ConclusionThe 2010 MINI Cooper/Convertible perfectly reinvents its sheetmetal heritage, but the interior's plastic-fantastic controls need work. 2010 MINI COOPER/CONVERTIBLE STYLING | [10 out of 10] MyRide: "clown-car styling inside and out" Motor Trend: "isn't the most ergonomically friendly setup" Automobile: " MINI design team...has done excellent work" The 2010 MINI Cooper/Convertible returns for the latest model year ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

It's tough to identify natural predators of the 2010 MINI Cooper. Some shoppers look to it for economy, others for style and speed. Those buyers might glance at the Volkswagen New Beetle, a modern spin on the classic Bug, with better everything, only no air-cooled engine and for 2010, no compelling powertrain option. The Mazda Miata hits all the right retro convertible notes, and it comes closer to the MINI's driving feel than just about anything. The Ford Mustang also comes to mind if you're looking for a thoroughly modern vehicle that has a long, storied history-and a choice of coupe or convertible-but it's larger, heavier, and less nimble, though also less expensive and far roomier than the MINI.

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See the MINI Cooper Hardtop in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

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