Best MINI cars to buy 2025

By Craig Hale

Last updated: 1 May 2025

Looking for the best MINI to match your lifestyle? Whether you’re a city commuter, weekend adventurer, new driver or part of a growing family, there’s a MINI made just for you.

From iconic designs to go-kart handling to advanced tech, we explore the best MINI car for every job below.

Keep reading to find the best MINI for you in 2025.

What are the best MINI cars in the UK?

• MINI Cooper

• MINI Cooper 5-Door

• MINI Cooper Convertible

• MINI Aceman

• MINI Countryman

The best MINI cars

Young families - MINI Aceman SE Classic

The MINI Aceman is the perfect choice for young families thanks to its spacious interior, desirable crossover design and electric efficiency.

Its 300-litre boot (1,005 litres with the rear seats folded) is on par with many hatchback rivals, so it’s perfect for handling the weekly shop or a couple of weekend bags.

The SE model is great, not because you need any extra performance, but because it has a 251-mile range – 59 miles more than you get in the entry-level Aceman E.

The standard Classic trim includes all the essentials, such as a unique circular 24cm touchscreen, a reversing camera and even a heated steering wheel.

Learners - MINI Cooper E Classic

Learners will love the compact size and iconic styling of the MINI Cooper – a car you’ll be proud to turn up to college in after passing your test, and that you’ll have no problem parking there either.

It’s also packed with safety kit, and you can add more driver aids as optional extras, making it a safe place to be for you and three friends (there’s no middle rear seat).

Another reason we’ve chosen the electric ‘E’ model for learners is because it’s still easy to handle and fun to drive, just without the distractions of gear changes.

It might cost a little more to insure than its petrol counterpart, but fuelling costs can be considerably cheaper, so it should balance out in the long run.

The Classic trim keeps things simple and stylish without overwhelming new drivers, but it still has essential aids like parking sensors and a reversing camera to avoid those embarrassing dings.

Weekend getaways - MINI Cooper Convertible S Sport

When you just want to book a night or two away, maybe over a bank holiday weekend, and you prefer to take the long way, the Cooper Convertible S Sport is the MINI for you. It’ll make you realise life’s about the journey, not the destination.

Better still, you can operate the roof at speeds of up to 18mph so you can quickly protect yourself from those unexpected summer showers. And when the roof is down, you get to enjoy the sound of the Cooper S Sport’s cracking little engine.

On that, it might only have 204hp, but it’s so light that it can get to 62mph in 6.9 seconds, which is hot hatch territory. And you’ll still get over 40mpg, just like the less powerful MINI Cooper Convertible C.

Sport trim is the best pairing for this punchy engine. It looks the part, with a more aggressive body kit, and it also adds a few extras like adaptive suspension, a more responsive dual-clutch automatic transmission and figure-hugging sports seats.

Commuters - MINI Cooper C 5-Door Exclusive

With five doors and a spacious interior, the Cooper 5-Door brings practicality without sacrificing that classic MINI look, so even if it’s mostly just you behind the wheel on the way to work, it’ll still live up to family life on the school run or at the weekend.

It’s the tech in this car that stands out for commuters. Easy smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a neat integrated sat-nav, on that 24cm OLED display will make getting to and from work that bit less painful.

You can only buy petrol versions of the Cooper C 5-Door, but that’s fine, because the performance is brisk and you should get up to a claimed 47mpg.

And, given that you’ll be spending so much time behind the wheel, why not go for the high-spec Exclusive version with its plush leather upholstery?

Enthusiasts - MINI John Cooper Works

It doesn’t get much better than a petrol-powered hot hatch, and the MINI John Cooper Works is one of the best-handling hot hatches out there. It’s cliche, but it really does drive like a go-kart.

Some of the sporty highlights include a red and black knitted dashboard, stainless-steel pedals, a sculpted black rear diffuser, a bold central exhaust and sporty alloy wheels, which cover the beefy JCW brake callipers.

But really, it’s all about that engine. It’s a 231hp 2.0-litre petrol engine mated to a smooth-shifting dual-clutch automatic gearbox – it’s quick, but it’s not so quick that you have to limit how much fun you’re having.

Official figures stand at 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 155mph, and with a careful right foot, MINI claims you can get up to 43mpg.

Road trips - MINI Countryman S ALL4 Exclusive

We think the MINI Countryman is the ultimate road tripper’s car, because its spacious cabin and generous boot make it easy to pack for long journeys.

With the petrol version of the Countryman, you’ll have a spacious 450-litre boot – much more than you get in the smaller Aceman crossover – making it a great choice for those longer trips.

We’ve opted for the S ALL4 powertrain not because you need the engine’s 218hp (the C’s 170hp is more than enough for most people), but we think the ‘ALL4’ four-wheel drive might come in handy on staycations at muddy campsites.

We’ve finished our ideal road trip car in mid-spec Exclusive trim, which elevates the cabin with a more refined look to make the long journeys more comfy.

Sports enthusiasts - MINI Countryman E Sport

There’s a whole lot of life outside work, so whether it’s going down to the local football pitch or heading up the mountain that takes your fancy, the Countryman’s practicality makes total sense for any active lifestyle.

We particularly like the roof rail options and versatile seating, which means you’ll be able to carry large items, such as bikes, either inside or outside the Countryman, depending on your preference.

The all-electric ‘E’ model’s 204hp is good for 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds, so it’s hardly a slouch, and it’ll still give you up to 286 miles of range – more than you’ll ever need on a typical day out.

Pair it with the smart-looking Sport trim to make a lasting impression, with finishes like black 19-inch alloys, a black roof and black stripes on the paintwork.

Explore used MINI cars

No matter your lifestyle, there’s a used MINI waiting to bring you joy just around the corner. Packed with personality, performance and value, there are pre-owned MINIs to suit every kind of lifestyle.

Learn more:

• Best MINI electric cars

• MINI Countryman Electric vs Cooper Electric