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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Hatchback |
| Base Price | $35,788–$42,651 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2023 Mini Cooper S is a hatchback that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.5/10. It's a capable but unexceptional hatchback — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.7/10 for reliability, this hatchback trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.5/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.4/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $35,788–$42,651, 29 MPG, seating 4, the Mini Cooper S sits in the mid-market bracket of the hatchback segment. The value score of 6.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: The 2023 Mini Cooper S sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2023 Mini Cooper S ranks #70 of 99 hatchbacks in the Carivo database — better than 30% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $35,788 starting price is about 54% above the segment's median of $23,280.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Hatchback ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Mini Cooper S scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.1 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.3/10 | $38,001 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $38,001 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $36,895 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $35,788 | |
| 2022 | 7.2/10 | $34,681 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $33,574 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.1/10 | $32,467 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $31,360 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $30,253 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.9/10 | $29,147 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.9/10 | $28,040 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.9/10 | $26,933 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Mini models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.