In addition to the passenger-side small overlap front crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also takes into account the performance of the headlights when it rates a given vehicle. In the case of the 2019 MINI Cooper, it’s the lighting system that hampered down the overall score of the cutesy hatchback.
According to the IIHS, the standard halogen reflector headlights “earned only a marginal rating.” Things get a little better with the LED Headlights with Corning Lights package (LED projectors), deemed “average” due to the glare created by the low beams and inadequate visibility on the straightaway on both sides of the road.
The “marginal” rating is all the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety could give in regard to the ease of use of the child seat anchors. The Active Driving Assistant package comes with Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, but the “advanced” evaluation isn’t on par with other BMW Group vehicles. The IIHS highlights that the Hardtop 2-door nearly avoided a collision in the 12-mph test. Speed up to 25 miles per hour, and the system managed to reduce the impact speed by 7 miles per hour.
These result contrast with the crashworthiness of the vehicle, rated “good” overall. And looking at the bigger picture, MINI could do better considering the price and premium character of the brand. In the U.S., the Hardtop 2-door starts at $21,900 for the Cooper Classic. The Signature and Iconic level up to $24,900 and $29,900, respectively.
The cheapest Cooper S kicks off at $26,400 while the John Cooper Works comes in at $32,400. In Iconic specification, the JCW is a mind-boggling $39,900. And that's a preposterous amount of green dollar bills considering what else is there at this price point.
As a brief refresher, the Hardtop and Convertible have been facelifted back in January 2018. The most telling change is the design of the headlights, now featuring the Union Jack on select trim levels.
The “marginal” rating is all the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety could give in regard to the ease of use of the child seat anchors. The Active Driving Assistant package comes with Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, but the “advanced” evaluation isn’t on par with other BMW Group vehicles. The IIHS highlights that the Hardtop 2-door nearly avoided a collision in the 12-mph test. Speed up to 25 miles per hour, and the system managed to reduce the impact speed by 7 miles per hour.
These result contrast with the crashworthiness of the vehicle, rated “good” overall. And looking at the bigger picture, MINI could do better considering the price and premium character of the brand. In the U.S., the Hardtop 2-door starts at $21,900 for the Cooper Classic. The Signature and Iconic level up to $24,900 and $29,900, respectively.
The cheapest Cooper S kicks off at $26,400 while the John Cooper Works comes in at $32,400. In Iconic specification, the JCW is a mind-boggling $39,900. And that's a preposterous amount of green dollar bills considering what else is there at this price point.
As a brief refresher, the Hardtop and Convertible have been facelifted back in January 2018. The most telling change is the design of the headlights, now featuring the Union Jack on select trim levels.