Mini Coupe/Hatchback

The Bottom Line: Mini makes the 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman a bit more practical with extra cargo area, while preserving the things that made the relaunched Mini stand out in the first place.

Specs: Coupe, S, Gas

The Bottom Line: Good-looking and one of the most fun cars on the road, the 2007 Mini Cooper S is well-engineered throughout. While we were impressed by the audio and handling, these can be made even better with an optional premium speaker system and a limited slip differential.

Specs: Hatchback, S, Gas

The Bottom Line: The extra push from the John Cooper Works kit doesn't seem enough to justify the premium it adds to the price of the 2006 Mini Cooper S Convertible. We would have been happy to shave the kit and some other options off and just enjoy driving with the convertible top down, which is already part of the base price.

Specs: hatchback, S, Gas

The Bottom Line: The 2006 Mini Cooper S is a ton of fun to drive and makes its mark with retro exterior and interior features. Besides an excellent-sounding stereo and an untested navigation system, cabin electronics are generally left to dealer options.

Specs: hatchback, S, Gas

Specs: hatchback, S, Gas