Few car makers inspire the kind of fierce loyalty and genuine affection that MINI does, and it's not hard to see why. From the Cooper hatchback to the family-friendly Countryman SUV, there's a personality and a sense of fun baked into every model that most rivals simply can't match. Whether you're after a zippy city car, a stylish electric runabout, or a surprisingly spacious family SUV, there's a MINI for you.
The good news is that the current MINI range is the strongest it's ever been. The brand has gone all-in on electrification, with the Cooper and Aceman offered exclusively as EVs and the Countryman available with both petrol and electric powertrains. That means there's now a genuinely compelling MINI for almost every lifestyle and budget. But which one is right for you? We've rounded up the best MINI cars and SUVs you can buy right now to help you decide.
About this guide
The cars in this guide have been selected to represent the best options currently available. Our recommendations are the result of a unique three-part scoring system that takes into account real-world tests from our team of expert reviewers, ratings from real-life owners who live with these cars every day, and an analysis of market data from CarGurus UK to identify which models offer the highest percentage of good and great deals. This combined approach ensures our list highlights cars that are not only great to own but also good value to buy.
The Best MINI Cars and SUVs
- 2026 MINI Cooper Electric
- 2026 MINI Countryman
- 2026 MINI Aceman
CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.6 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 34.2%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.4 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Fun to drive |
Rather firm ride |
| Effortlessly stylish |
Infotainment can be confusing to use |
| Properly desirable |
Limited practicality |
The latest electric MINI is a huge leap forward from the previous generation's short-range model, and is offered in three distinct flavours. The Cooper E provides 181bhp and a very usable official range of 186 miles, the more powerful Cooper SE steps this up to 215bhp and an impressive 247-mile range, while the flagship John Cooper Works Electric boosts this to 255bhp. All stick to the classic MINI recipe of cute, desirable looks and a premium feel, but now with the sort of electric range that makes it a genuinely viable daily driver for many more people.
True to its heritage, the electric Cooper delivers that trademark 'go-kart' feel. The steering is responsive and it feels keen and enthusiastic in the corners, making even a trip to the shops feel like a bit of an event. While the ride is on the firm side, it's a trade-off many fans will accept for the engaging handling. Practicality is what you'd expect from a compact three-door; the 210-litre boot is fine for shopping or a weekend away for two, but rear passenger space is tight. If you need more room but love the MINI style, the larger Aceman and Countryman models are waiting in the wings.
The CarGurus Verdict: "The electric MINI Cooper is a fun, likeable small car, and with this new generation, it's gained a useful range and even more advanced interface." - Vicky Parrott, contributing editor
Read our full MINI Cooper Electric review
CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.6 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 33.9%
Overall CarGurus rating: 4.3 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Lots of interior space |
Interior doesn't impress as much for quality |
| Well equipped |
Infotainment has some ergonomic issues |
| Very stylish interior |
Many rivals ride more comfortably |
The Countryman has always been the MINI for those who need more MINI. This latest, third-generation version leans into that role more than ever, growing significantly in size to become a proper family SUV. That extra bulk translates into a seriously spacious interior, with masses of legroom and headroom for passengers in the back, even for six-footers. Some models even feature a sliding rear bench, letting you choose between palatial passenger space or a bit of extra room in the boot. It's the MINI that's finally grown up to fit the family.
While the boot isn't the biggest in the class at 460 litres, it's a very decent size and more than capable of handling the weekly shop or a weekend away. A clever adjustable boot floor reveals a handy hidden storage area, perfect for stashing valuables. Inside, the Countryman delivers the funky, stylish design you'd expect from MINI, dominated by a huge, circular central screen. While some of the plastics feel a bit less premium than the price tag might suggest, the overall vibe is fun and modern. The entry-level Countryman E, with its 201bhp motor, provides more than enough poke for daily duties and a useful 262-mile range.
The CarGurus Verdict: "It's roomier and more practical than previous Countrymans and, more importantly, compares very well to SUV and crossover rivals from other manufacturers on that score." - Ivan Aistrop, senior editor
Read our full MINI Countryman review
CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: Insufficient user reviews
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 25.9%
Overall CarGurus rating: 3.7 out of 5
| Pros |
Cons |
| Fun to drive |
Over-reliance on complicated touchscreen system |
| Cheerfully modern design |
Not very practical |
| Half-decent electric range |
Firm ride will be too much for some |
MINI has jumped into the ultra-fashionable small electric crossover market with the Aceman. Think of it as a MINI Cooper Hatchback that's been given the SUV treatment, with a slightly raised ride height and a chunkier look. It's a recipe that pitches it right against a growing number of trendy rivals like the Volvo EX30 and Kia EV3. Sticking with the fashion-forward theme, the Aceman is offered exclusively with all-electric power, making it a very on-trend choice for city dwellers.
As you'd expect from a MINI, the driving experience is defined by fun. Both the 181bhp 'E' and the more powerful 215bhp 'SE' versions feel brisk and eager, while the quick, responsive steering and tight body control deliver that trademark go-kart handling. This agility does mean the ride is on the firm side, which won't be for everyone. Practicality is also a compromise; while the 300-litre boot is fine for the weekly shop, rear passenger space is tight, confirming the Aceman's status as a stylish urban runabout rather than a spacious family SUV.
The CarGurus Verdict: "Yes, the foibles in this small electric SUV are plentiful, and in some cases, pretty serious. But overall, the Aceman is a likeable car that wins you over regardless." - Ivan Aistrop, senior editor
Read our full MINI Aceman review
FAQ
Is MINI a good car brand?
MINI has a well-deserved reputation for building fun, stylish cars with a premium feel. Owned by BMW, the brand benefits from solid engineering and high-quality components. MINIs consistently score well in owner satisfaction surveys, and their distinctive design and engaging driving dynamics set them apart from more mainstream rivals. The main trade-off tends to be practicality, as MINIs are generally smaller and less spacious than equivalent cars from other brands.
Are MINIs expensive to maintain?
As a premium brand with BMW underpinnings, MINIs can be more expensive to service and repair than mainstream rivals. Parts and labour costs tend to be higher than for a comparable Ford or Vauxhall, for example. However, the latest electric models like the Cooper Electric and Aceman have fewer moving parts and require less routine maintenance, which can help offset running costs over time. It's always worth budgeting for slightly higher servicing costs when buying a MINI.
What is the best MINI to buy in 2026?
For us, the MINI Cooper Electric is the best MINI you can buy right now. It combines the brand's trademark fun driving dynamics with a genuinely usable electric range of up to 250 miles, all wrapped in an effortlessly stylish package. If you need more space, the MINI Countryman is a close second, offering proper family SUV practicality without sacrificing the MINI character.
Which MINI is the most practical?
The MINI Countryman is by far the most practical model in the range. This third-generation version has grown significantly and now offers genuine family SUV levels of space, with generous rear legroom and headroom even for taller passengers. Some models feature a sliding rear bench for added versatility, and the boot is a decent size for the weekly shop or a family holiday. If you love the MINI brand but need room for a family, the Countryman is the one to go for.
Are electric MINIs worth buying?
Electric MINIs have come on leaps and bounds with the latest generation. The Cooper Electric offers up to 250 miles of range in SE form, which is more than enough for most daily commutes and weekend trips. The Aceman provides similar range in a slightly larger crossover body. Both benefit from instant electric torque that makes the already fun MINI driving experience even more engaging. With lower running costs than petrol equivalents and zero tailpipe emissions, electric MINIs are well worth considering if you have access to home charging.
What is the MINI Aceman?
The MINI Aceman is the brand's small electric crossover, slotting between the compact Cooper hatchback and the larger Countryman SUV. Think of it as a MINI Cooper that's been given the SUV treatment, with a slightly raised ride height and chunkier styling. It's offered exclusively with all-electric power, with a choice of 181bhp, 215bhp, and 255bhp motors and a range of up to 251 miles. While it's fun to drive and looks great, practicality is limited compared to larger SUV rivals, making it best suited to urban buyers and small families.
What Makes CarGurus Best Cars Guides Different?
Most car buying websites publish lists of the best cars across a variety of categories, with recommendations generally driven by editorial expertise. Here's what makes our best cars guides different: we combine the insights and verdicts of our team of car-testing experts with other factors that we know matter to buyers - real owner experiences and current market value.
To that end, our expert reviewers come from some of the UK's most trusted automotive publications including What Car?, The Telegraph, Auto Trader, Electrifying.com, and Carbuyer. They put each car through real-world testing, and create detailed reviews noting performance in a range of categories, from practicality and driving manners, to running costs and reliability.
But we don't stop there when it comes to creating our best cars guides; we also analyse hundreds of thousands of used car listings on CarGurus UK to track which models consistently offer the highest percentage of best deals relative to how many are listed for sale. Then we factor in user reviews and ratings gathered on CarGurus to get feedback from people who actually live with these cars every day. Our best cars algorithm then creates a final Overall CarGurus rating that combines expert ratings, user reviews, and the percentage of listings on CarGurus UK rated as good or great deals. This three-way approach reveals not just which cars excel on paper, but which ones deliver satisfaction and value when you're ready to buy.
The CarGurus UK market data in this guide was last updated in April 2026. Values were accurate at time of publication and should be used as a guide only.
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