Makes›MINI›Cooper›2017

2017 MINI Cooper

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Class
Minicompact Cars
Engines
1.5L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 28 city / 38 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 37% better than the average 2017 minicompact car (23.4 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 MINI Cooper is a minicompact 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 32 MPG combined (28 city / 38 highway), 37% better than the 2017 minicompact car average of 23.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2017

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2016 Cooper — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Cooper →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cooper Convertible1.5L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 37 / 32+37%$2,550281
Cooper Hardtop 2 door1.5L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 38 / 32+39%$2,550282
Cooper Hardtop 4 door1.5L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 37 / 32+39%$2,550281
Cooper Convertible1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30+28%$2,750294
Cooper Hardtop 2 door1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30+30%$2,750294
Cooper Hardtop 4 door1.5L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30+30%$2,750294
Cooper S Hardtop 2 door2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28+22%$2,950316
Cooper S Hardtop 4 door2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28+22%$2,950316
Cooper S Convertible2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+20%$2,950315
Cooper S Convertible2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 26+11%$3,150337
Cooper S Hardtop 2 door2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 26+13%$3,150337
Cooper S Hardtop 4 door2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 26+13%$3,150337
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.4 MPG2017 Minicompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 MINI Cooper.

Similar 2017 minicompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 MINI Cooper (this car)32 MPGNot rated3
2017 Subaru BRZ27 MPGNot rated0
2017 Toyota 8627 MPGNot rated2
2017 Fiat 50034 MPGNot rated1
2017 Fiat 500e84 miNot rated0

Recalls (3)

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights · Mar 31, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V222000 · 16,883 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 MINI Cooper Clubman, Cooper S Clubman and JCW Clubman vehicles. When the affected vehicles are braking and the turn signals are on, the inner, bumper-mounted, brake light will go out. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
If the brake light does not illuminate when a turn signal is activated, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
MINI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle to correct the brake lighting, free of charge. The recall began May 22, 2017. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Air Bags · Dec 20, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V914000 · 3,506 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Risk
If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor · Oct 17, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V747000 · 15,455 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, MINI Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S, MINI Cooper Clubman, and Cooper S Clubman, 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost, and 2016 528i vehicles. The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) for the driver's seat may not lock as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk
In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) may activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 MINI Cooper is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

34Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
15,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine8
Exterior Lighting6
Electrical System6
Power Train6
Air Bags4
Service Brakes3
Visibility/Wiper2
Seat Belts2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/11: 118/01: 118/03: 118/05: 119/05: 119/07: 119/08: 119/11: 121/07: 122/07: 122/08: 122/09: 123/02: 223/04: 223/06: 123/10: 224/08: 124/09: 125/03: 225/04: 125/07: 226/03: 126/05: 126/09: 117/1118/0519/0822/0723/0223/1025/0326/03max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 MINI Cooper buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Exterior Lighting — 6 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  4. Electrical System — 6 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 15,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 MINI Cooper. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Cooper years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Cooper31–Not rated00
2026 Cooper32152.8 inNot rated13
2025 Cooper32152.8 inNot rated46
2024 Cooper32–Not rated22
2023 Cooper32–Not rated212
2022 Cooper32–Not rated29
2021 Cooper31–Not rated47
2020 Cooper31–Not rated413
2019 Cooper32–Not rated217
2018 Cooper32–Not rated08
2016 Cooper32–Not rated451
2015 Cooper32–Not rated674

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or MINI. How we calculate this →