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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Hatchback |
| Base Price | $38,001–$48,104 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2026 Mini Cooper S is a hatchback that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 7.6/10. 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.0/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.4/10 — 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 7.6/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $38,001–$48,104, 32 MPG, seating 4, the Mini Cooper S sits in the mid-market bracket of the hatchback segment. At 7.1/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Verdict: The 2026 Mini Cooper S sits in the middle of the field. 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 2026 Mini Cooper S ranks #49 of 99 hatchbacks in the Carivo database — better than 52% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $38,001 starting price is about 63% above the segment's median of $23,280.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Hatchback ranking →
Across the Cooper S model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $38,001 | |
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $38,001 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $36,895 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.1/10 | $35,788 | Read review → |
| 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 → |
We rate the 2026 Mini Cooper S's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #49 of 99 hatchbacks in our database (better than 52% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2026 Mini Cooper S starts at $38,001 and ranges up to $48,104 across trims (MSRP when new). At 32 MPG, expect roughly $1,641/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Mini models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.