The Mini Cooper SE hardtop is sporty, quirky, and full of character, whether shoppers opt for the classic two-door or the more practical four-door version.

The Cooper S uses a four-cylinder turbo and got 30 mpg with the six-speed manual.

The non-S has a three-cylinder engine that does the job. Handling is nimble and sporty, making the Mini fun to drive on curvy back roads.

The ride is rather firm, however, and road noise is noticeable. Controls take some getting used to, and the backseat is still tiny.

The high-performance John Cooper Works version bumps the power to 301 hp and gets firmer suspension. There’s a wagon like Clubman with small barn-style rear doors. FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection are standard, but BSW is not available. An all-electric version Mini Cooper SE with a 110-mile estimated range is also available.