2005 MINI Cooper Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Take one look, and there’s no mistaking what’s in front of you. The MINI Cooper is one of those things in life that happily remains the same, no matter what’s changing or going on around it. It’s grown over the years, but the Cooper still sports the round headlights, rounded shape, and somewhat small stature that defined the original cars.

The Cooper’s interior is equally as quirky, though nowhere near as cute as the cars upon which it’s based. The gauge cluster is split between a small central gauge behind the steering wheel and a large, round speedometer that sits atop the stereo. That, combined with the tight interior dimensions, gives the MINI a cartoony look that doesn’t fit with its premium aspirations.

No matter which MINI Cooper you choose, the driving experience is going to be sporty. The Cooper S is the choice for enthusiasts, but its overly firm ride can make it tough to live with on a daily basis. The car’s BMW roots shine through in its precise power steering and firm braking, and it seems to handle like a go-kart at times thanks to the sport suspension that’s standard on most models. It's no Porsche, but it'll get the job done.

The upgraded Cooper S engine is far more potent than the 115-hp base mill, and it provides more than ample power thanks to its supercharger. There’s nothing mind-blowing here, but the car picks up speed eagerly, especially in the mid-range areas between 50 and 100 kilometres per hour. The supercharged engine makes a healthy noise under full throttle, which is made even more pronounced in Cooper S Convertible models with the top down. Cooper S models also come with a spoiler, twin exhaust tips, and other add-ons.

There are sacrifices to be made with a car like the MINI Cooper, but they’re at least easy to see going in. Though it technically has a rear seat, the MINI’s overall size will pose challenges to owners with more than one other person to haul around on a daily basis, and cargo space in the convertible models is laughable. At least the hatchback offers fold-down back seats.

The MINI's small size and low ride height make entry and exit challenging, though the car’s doors are small and easy to handle in tight spots. The hatchback’s roofline sits low, which can make loading people and gear more difficult than it needs to be.

Standard tech in the 2005 MINI Cooper includes a CD stereo with six speakers, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, heated side mirrors, speed-sensitive wipers with heated washer jets, cruise control, and air conditioning. Available tech includes a Harman Kardon stereo with eight speakers, xenon headlights, a navigation system, a power sunroof, dynamic stability control, and heated front seats.

Several of the best options are held back in added-cost options, both standalone and in packages. Each adds a considerable amount to the Cooper’s bottom line.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the MINI Cooper "good" in moderate overlap front crashworthiness and "marginal" for its head restraints and seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated it four stars in all categories, including rollover resistance.

Standard safety gear includes traction control, power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, antilock brakes, six airbags, Mini Advanced Head Protection System, battery terminal impact cut-off, smart airbag sensors, tire-pressure monitoring, and child-seat anchors.

The 2005 MINI Cooper’s starting MSRP of $25,700 before destination sounds like a deal, but take a step back and the picture becomes less clear. Options are expensive, numerous, and required to obtain the most desirable features. From that base price, the Cooper’s price tag can grow quickly, as MINI offers several attractive upgrades for the car. The best part is that there's a MINI Cooper convertible for people wanting an open-air experience, and there's also the used-car market for people put off by the expensive options, where plenty of off-lease MINIs end up at discount prices.

The MINI Cooper’s fuel economy estimates are competitive and align with what is expected from a small-but-sporty car. Fuel consumption varies from 8.4 to 10.0 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and from 5.9 to 6.7 highway, depending on the engine and transmission selected.

Note: Images show a US model.