How much is car insurance for a Mini Cooper?

The Mini Cooper is a “lifestyle” car that and while not practical for families it could be a perfect choice if you are in search of a small, powerful vehicle with personality and great resale value.

Although U.S. News and World Report puts the Mini Cooper in the “Affordable Small Car” class, its starting MSRP of $19,400 makes it one of the least affordable cars in this category.

If you’re passionate enough about your Mini to pay the sticker price, you’ll want to be sure that your vehicle is fully insured.

The cost of comprehensive car insurance for a Mini Cooper will depend on your credit history, driving record, and a host of other factors that auto insurance companies use to assess your insurance risk.

However, car insurance premiums for your Mini Cooper are likely to be higher than they would be for a comparably-sized vehicle with a lower sticker price since your insurance company needs to take into account the added cost of replacing your vehicle in the event that it is totaled.

You can get personalized insurance premium estimates when you enter your zip code into the box above but read this article first to learn more about the Mini Cooper.

Mini Cooper Awards and Rankings

The Mini Cooper’s unique appearance and personality aren’t the only things it has going for it. Kelley Blue Book recognized the Mini Cooper as the compact car with the best resale value for 2011, and it has been among the top-ten best compact cars in terms of resale value every year since 2003.

It was also the North American Car of the Year in 2003. In 2010, Kelley Blue Book listed the Mini Cooper as one of its top-ten green cars, and it also took home the Polk Automotive Loyalty Award for that model year.

U.S. News ranked the Mini Cooper 6th out of 33 vehicles in the “Affordable Small Car” category. It tied for 6th place with the Chevrolet Cruze, and came in just ahead of the Kia Soul.

The Honda Fit took the top spot in this category for the 2011 model year. Since the “Affordable” category is for cars priced under $20,000, some would argue that the Mini Cooper is better-placed in the “Upscale Small Car” category, where it could go head-to-head with the Volkswagen GTI and the Audi A3.

Had it been placed in this category, the Mini Cooper’s overall score of 8.6 out of 10 would have earned it second place after the Nissan Leaf.

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Mini Cooper Performance Reviews

The base model Mini Cooper’s 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine delivers 121 horsepower for a top speed of 126 mph and zero to 60 acceleration in 8.4 seconds. The turbocharged engine in the Mini Cooper S boasts a top speed of 141 mph and an impressive zero to 60 acceleration time of 6.6 seconds.

Both the Mini Cooper and the Mini Cooper S come standard with 6-speed manual transmissions, but both can be upgraded with automatic transmissions.

There’s no question that the Mini Cooper is fun to drive. Edmunds compares it to an amusement park ride, and Left Lane News describes it as a “zippy go-kart.” U.S. News suggests that the sporty Mini Cooper’s suspension might be too stiff for some drivers, but the car gets raves for its responsive steering.

The Mini Cooper’s fuel economy also sets a high bar, at 37 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in city driving. This easily bests the 27 city/33 highway rating of the #1-ranked Honda Fit.

In fact, the only non-hybrid car in this class with better fuel economy than the Mini Cooper is the #3-ranked Hyundai Elantra, with a rating of 29 city/40 highway.

Mini Cooper Interior Amenities

The Mini Cooper is well-loved for its performance, but it’s no slouch when it comes to interior design, either.

Although it won’t win any awards for its measly 5.7 cubic feet of rear cargo space, the Mini Cooper offers a surprising amount of head and legroom for the driver and front passenger, according to Kelley Blue Book.

The Mini Cooper comes standard with HD radio technology and a 1-year SIRIUS Satellite Radio subscription.

Other standard features include push-button start/stop, ambient lighting, and a multi-function steering wheel. Optional upgrades include the following:

• Sunroof
• Sport seats
• Xenon headlights
• Infotainment system
• Navigation system

Mini Cooper Safety Features and Ratings

In rollover tests, the Mini Cooper received mixed reviews. Although the federal government gave it the full five stars, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) only gave it a rating of “Acceptable,” its second-highest score.

The IIHS did find that the Mini Cooper performed well in frontal- and rear-impact tests, and the vehicle earned the organization’s highest rating in these categories. Its performance in side-impact tests was rated “Acceptable.”

Standard safety features in all Mini Coopers include anti-lock brakes, dynamic stability control, electronic brake-force distribution, and traction control.

It is important for potential owners to note that while hardtop Mini Coopers have six air bags, convertibles only have four. Optional safety features include the following:

• Run-flat tires
• Park distance control
• Fog lights

How much is car insurance for the Mini Cooper?

Edmunds estimates that the true cost of owning a Mini Cooper over five years is around $35,000. Since this figure includes slightly more than $9,000 in depreciation, the true out-of-pocket figure is closer to $25,000.

This estimate also includes fuel costs, which average around $8,000 for a driver who clocks 15,000 miles per year. Insurance premiums cost the average Mini Cooper owner around $7,200 over five years.

Although rates vary from year to year, this averages out to around $1,440 per year or $120 per month. Be sure to enter your zip code in the box to get the most accurate quotes.

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