• Myrtle Knox in Auto

2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door

MSRP range: $27,400 – $35,900

2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Review

Pros

  • All engines blend quickness and fuel efficiency
  • Nimble handling helps keep the Hardtop glued to the road
  • Many available add-ons allow for personalization
  • Upscale interior

Cons

  • Ride can be stiff and choppy, especially with larger wheels
  • Gas-powered Hardtop is pricier than most rivals
  • Rear seats are a vestigial appendage
  • Android Auto is not offered

What’s new

  • A new Resolute Edition debuts with exclusive paint and interior colors
  • Last year’s Classic and Signature Plus subtrims have been discontinued
  • Minor shuffling of features between trim levels
  • Part of the third Hardtop generation introduced for 2014

Considering how much time we spend in our cars, doesn’t it make sense to choose a vehicle that makes us happy? If you’re looking to add some fun and personality to your commute, we suggest the 2023 Mini Cooper 2 Door. This spritely little hatchback inherits a lot of the charm of the original Minis from the 1960s, infused with modern engineering and technology from parent company BMW.

Coming off a styling refresh last year, the Mini Cooper 2 Door returns with only minor changes, including a new Resolute Edition that only brings some color palette revisions. There are also some feature content changes that may evolve over the year as supply chain issues persist. You can count on the Mini Cooper to continue to offer its unique blend of playfulness and performance.

The Mini Cooper 2 Door is showing its age, though, as it was last redesigned nine years ago. In that time, more refined, comfortable and convenient hatchback rivals have come and gone. We suggest checking out newer competitors that include the Mazda 3, Honda Civic and Volkswagen GTI before committing to a new Mini. These fresher alternatives are easier to live with and benefit from newer technology features, but they lack the Mini’s personality. Add in its many customization options and the Mini should attract even more extroverts, but keep an eye on how those pricey options affect the bottom line.

Which Hardtop 2 Door does Edmunds recommend?

The midrange Cooper S trim gets our recommendation since it delivers more performance than the base model without the stiffer ride of the John Cooper Works version. We’d also suggest opting for the manual transmission for even more driver engagement, and if you don’t know how to drive a stick shift, this is a great car to learn on.

MINI Hardtop 2 Door models

The 2023 Mini Hardtop 2 Door comes in three main trim levels. The gas-powered Minis include the Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW). Mini also offers the all-electric Cooper SE. From there, you can pick subtrim packages such as Signature and Iconic. Smaller packages can also be added, giving the Hardtop a high level of customization in both appearance and features.

Check Also: Toyota Hilux GR Sport

Cooper Hardtop 2 Door

Kicks things off with:

  • 16-inch wheels
  • LED headlights
  • Turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque)
  • Six-speed manual transmission or optional seven-speed automatic
  • Heated sideview mirrors
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Simulated leather seats
  • 8.8-inch touchscreen
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Satellite radio
  • Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
  • Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
  • Rear parking sensors (detect objects behind the vehicle)

Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door

Higher performance from:

  • Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque)
  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Additional driving modes
  • Sport seats

John Cooper Works Hardtop

Amps up the aggression with sporty accessories such as:

  • More powerful 2.0-liter engine (228 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque)
  • Sport suspension

Cooper SE Hardtop 2 Door

An all-electric model focused on efficiency. It has:

  • Electric motor good for 181 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque
  • 114 miles of range
  • 16-inch wheels

From here, you can add more features through packages and stand-alone options. Package features differ slightly depending on which main trim you pick, but broadly these packages include:

Signature

  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Keyless ignition and entry
  • Heated front seats
  • Panoramic moonroof (gas models)

Iconic

Includes the above, plus:

  • Piano black exterior trim
  • Power-folding exterior mirrors
  • Auto-dimming mirrors
  • Premium leather upholstery
  • Wireless charging pad
  • Navigation system
  • Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
  • Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

Some of the packaged features are also available as stand-alone options. Mini also offers a range of ways to customize your Hardtop with special wheel designs, unique exterior and interior trim, and special hood or roof graphics.

 

2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door ReviewCooper S Hardtop 2 DoorCooper SE Hardtop 2 DoorJohn Cooper Works HardtopMINI Hardtop 2 Door modelsToyota Hilux GR SportWhich Hardtop 2 Door does Edmunds recommend?
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