DecodedCars2018 MINI Cooper
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 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
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 40% better than the average 2018 minicompact car (22.9 MPG).
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 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), 40% better than the 2018 minicompact car average of 22.9 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 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Cooper — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Cooper →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Convertible | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 37 / 32 | +40% | $2,550 | 280 |
| Cooper Hardtop 2 door | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 38 / 32 | +35% | $2,550 | 282 |
| Cooper Hardtop 4 door | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 37 / 32 | +35% | $2,550 | 280 |
| Cooper Convertible | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | +31% | $2,750 | 294 |
| Cooper Hardtop 2 door | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | +27% | $2,750 | 294 |
| Cooper Hardtop 4 door | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | +27% | $2,750 | 294 |
| Cooper S Convertible | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | +22% | $2,950 | 315 |
| Cooper S Hardtop 2 door | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | +18% | $2,950 | 316 |
| Cooper S Hardtop 4 door | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | +18% | $2,950 | 316 |
| Cooper S Convertible | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | +14% | $3,150 | 338 |
| Cooper S Hardtop 2 door | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | +10% | $3,150 | 338 |
| Cooper S Hardtop 4 door | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | +10% | $3,150 | 338 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 MINI Cooper.
Similar 2018 minicompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 MINI Cooper (this car) | 32 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 Subaru BRZ | 27 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 Toyota 86 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Fiat 500 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Fiat 500e | 84 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 MINI John Cooper Works | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2018 MINI Cooper.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2018 MINI Cooper is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 MINI Cooper buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 3,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 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 |
| 2020 Cooper | 31 | – | Not rated | 4 | 13 |
| 2019 Cooper | 32 | – | Not rated | 2 | 17 |
| 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 →