At its core, the2016 MINI Coopera practical hatchback: a 2-door or 4-door 4-seater that manages to offer both great gas mileage and a surprisingly large cargo area with the back seats folded down. But the small hatchback is also so much more than that.
For one thing, it's tremendously fun to drive. No, the Cooper isn'trear-wheel drive, and it's not especially fast compared to purpose-built sports cars. But the folks atMINIhave managed to tune the Cooper's suspension so it drives better than virtually any other similarly priced car, regardless of drive wheels. It's also easy to get over the lack of a huge engine because the Cooper is just so eager to have fun around the corners.
The MINI Cooper also offers a retro-themed design that appeals to drivers interested in standing out. And thanks to several small -- but noticeable -- styling updates two years ago, the Cooper boasts an iconic look that's not likely to get old any time soon.