DecodedCars2020 MINI Cooper
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Engines
- 1.5L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- EV, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 31 combined · 28 city / 36 hwy
- EV range
- 110 mi · 4 h on 240 V
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2020 subcompact car (22.9 MPG).
- Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 MINI Cooper is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (1.5L 3-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (28 city / 36 highway), 35% better than the 2020 subcompact car average of 22.9 MPG, for an estimated $700 a year in fuel.
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 110 miles and takes about 4 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2020
- New all-electric version
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Cooper →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door EV | 135 kW DCPM | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 110 mi · 31.2795 kWh/100mi | – | $700 | – |
| Cooper Convertible | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 36 / 31 | +47% | $2,650 | 281 |
| Cooper Hardtop 2 door | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 36 / 31 | +35% | $2,650 | 281 |
| Cooper Hardtop 4 door | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 36 / 31 | +35% | $2,650 | 281 |
| Cooper S Hardtop 2 door | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 35 / 30 | +31% | $2,750 | 297 |
| Cooper S Hardtop 4 door | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 35 / 30 | +31% | $2,750 | 297 |
| Cooper S Convertible | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 34 / 29 | +37% | $2,850 | 304 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2020 MINI Cooper.
Similar 2020 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 MINI Cooper (this car) | 31 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2020 MINI John Cooper Works | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (4)
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery Thermal › Management › Software · Aug 15, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V612000 · 12,535 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) vehicles. Faults may occur in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, resulting in a short circuit.
- Risk
- A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised that if a warning message is displayed in the vehicle, to park the vehicle outside and away from structures until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will provide a software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464).
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Apr 29, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V302000 · 145 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) vehicles. The high voltage battery housing may not have been sealed properly, allowing water to enter the battery.
- Risk
- A high voltage battery with water damage can cause a fire or a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and leak test the high voltage battery, and repair the battery as necessary, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed October 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain · May 20, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V283000 · 76 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles. Due to a problem with the rollover sensor within the air bag control unit, in the event of a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners and other safety systems, may not activate.
- Risk
- If the safety systems do not deploy as intended in a roll over crash, it may increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Structure · Aug 28, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V634000 · 683 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW vehicles. The rear side trim panels may have been assembled without a crash pad. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
- Risk
- Without a crash pad, rear seat passengers would have an increased risk of injury in the event of a side impact crash.
- Fix
- MINI will notify owners, and MINI dealers will install crash pads, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Not every 2020 MINI Cooper is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 MINI Cooper buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 3 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 8,028 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 110 miles.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 MINI Cooper. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Cooper years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Cooper | 31 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Cooper | 32 | 152.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2025 Cooper | 32 | 152.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 6 |
| 2024 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 12 |
| 2022 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2021 Cooper | 31 | – | Not rated | 4 | 7 |
| 2019 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 17 |
| 2018 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2017 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 3 | 34 |
| 2016 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 4 | 51 |
| 2015 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 6 | 74 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or MINI. How we calculate this →