2026 MINI Cooper

With its blend of compact style, sporty performance and British charm, the 2026 Mini Cooper remains one of today's most colorful cars. It won't blow you away with power and speed, although in its high-performance John Cooper Works guise (up to 312 horsepower), it's certainly capable. Rather, the Mini is more about a direct connection between the driver and road. The small chassis, tightly tuned suspension, and responsive engine make the Mini as fun to whip through curves as it is to admire its design when parked.

Small cars with modest power and sharp handling are getting rarer. The Mazda Miata remains a gold standard for pint-size fun, but it only seats two. The Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 twins are throwbacks to smaller, long-hood coupe designs. They seat four in theory, although we've found the small rear seats largely useless. The Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its four-door hatchback design and punchy performance, is a close rival, even if it lacks the Mini's personality.

Last year's comprehensive redesign added a new four-cylinder engine and in-car tech updates, so the Cooper carries over into 2026 with only minor changes. The optional John Cooper Works style package, previously reserved for the top trim, trickles down the lineup. It adds an aerodynamic body kit, sport-shaped seats and a unique wheel design, with a dash of performance upgrades that include an adaptive suspension and steering wheel paddle shifters. A digital key feature finally arrives for the Cooper, allowing owners to lock, unlock, and start the car with a smartphone. With the new phone-as-key feature, buyers now get a single physical key fob, so don't lose it.