2020 MINI Hardtop Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The 2020 MINI Hardtop 2-door is a vehicle that is just downright classy. Inside and out, you feel as though you have been transported back to a simpler era when the name of the game was getting out and having fun with other people. The nostalgia factor plays vastly into what makes MINI models sell. MINI gets that you want a good amount of technology but that you dig the throwback 60's style. And who doesn't?

The 2020 MINI Hardtop got a few upgrades for the model year. First of all, you can take your pick between the 7- and 8-speed automatic transmissions on any of the trims and subtrims. The only downside is that you don't really get a manual option. Still, there are a ton of features that you can add on and really go all-out when customizing this vehicle to your liking.

The other issues with the 2020 MINI Hardtop are that the ride quality is significantly stiff and becomes more so if you decide to equip the bigger 17-inch wheels. This is not a typical problem for its class, so the competition might appeal to you more if you prefer a smooth ride. Also, the MINI Hardtop is more expensive than its rivals, so if you are shopping on a budget, you might need to go with something else.

Still, there are plenty of reasons to buy the 2020 MINI Hardtop. But which trim and subtrim combination should you get? This can get confusing, so we are going to break down the three main trims (the Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works Hardtop) with the three subtrims (Classic, Signature, and Iconic) that can be equipped with any of the main trims. Hang tight, and in the end, we will declare which trim and subtrim we think are the most worthy of your hard-earned money.

Compare the 2020 MINI Hardtop Cooper vs Cooper S Trims. What is the difference?

The Cooper starts the line-up off at $23,400 and has seating for four people. It is powered by a twin-turbo 1.5-L inline-3 cylinder engine that is able to put out 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle can get from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, which might seem a bit sluggish to some drivers.

The Cooper S, on the other hand, starts off at $27,400 and has a stronger twin-turbo 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine. This powertrain puts out 189 and 207 lb-ft of torque, which help it get from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. This amount of power feels much more adequate for a vehicle in this class.

Compare the 2020 MINI Hardtop Cooper S vs John Cooper Works Hardtop Trims. What is the difference?

Now, let's talk about the mechanics of the John Cooper Works Hardtop. This style utilizes the same twin-turbo engine as on the Cooper S but tweaks it to get more power. It gets boosted to 228 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque and can make it up to speed in 5.9 seconds, which, of course, feels much snappier than the base Cooper.

Compare the 2020 MINI Hardtop Classic Trim vs Signature Trim. What is the difference?

The thing you are really going to spend time deciding on here are the subtrims. The first up is the Classic. It offers your choice of four exterior body colors: Midnight Black, Chili Red, White Pepper, and Moonwalk Grey. You get standard body-colored mirror caps and a roof to match.

On the inside, you will fin that the front seats are heated for your comfort. The seats are done in Leatherette Carbon Black, and there is a leather sport steering wheel with multiple functions (for audio, cruise control, and so forth) mounted onto it. The interior surface is done in a lovely Hazy Grey, and there is Carbon Black Color Line throughout.

When it comes to technology, things feel a little too basic. You get features like Active Driving Assist, Rear Parking Distance Control, and an on-board computer. However, you will have to add a lot of stand-alone or package options on to make it feel more tech-heavy. You can opt for things like SiriusXM Satellite Radio. You do get ambient lighting, your choice of white or black stripes on the bonnet, roof rails, and a rear-mounted bike rack prep.

The Signature beefs things up quite a bit. You get to pick between 11 different body color options, which now include: Starlight Blue, White Silver, British Racing Green IV Metallic, Melting Silver, and Solaris Orange. You can stick with the body-colored mirror caps and roof or opt for them to be done in white or black. As far as the wheels go, you can take your pick between 16-inch Loop Spoke Silver alloys or 16-inch Victory Spoke Black alloys. Both look extremely cool, so it might be a tough decision. Either way, all-season tires come with it.

Inside of the Signature subtrim, you will find the vehicle is done in the Signature Upholstery Package. The standard seats come with heating, and there is an anthracite headliner. As far as surface materials go, you can get the MINI Yours Black Piano Illumination Interior Surface or the Piano Black Interior Surface. Take your pick of the following color lines to really class things up: Carbon Black, Satellite Grey, Glowing Red, or Malt Brown.

Technology gets a boost as well. The Signature is equipped with the Touchscreen Navigation Package, and you get a 6.5-inch touchscreen display for viewing your infotainment functions. Also, an alarm system gets added for extra vehicular security.

There are more refined details that get thrown into the fray as well. You get the Premium Package. This gives you cruise control, automatic climate control, and more controls for them mounted onto the steering wheel. (And, yes, this package comes highly recommended!) You can also get the HomeLink universal garage door opener with a compass built into it, your choice of white or black bonnet stripes, the roof rails, and the bike rack prep. You also get nifty white turn signals and gorgeous ambient interior lighting.

Compare the 2020 MINI Hardtop Signature Trim vs Iconic Trim. What is the difference?

Now, we need to talk about the line-topping subtrim, the Iconic. The Iconic gives you two more exterior body color choices: MINI Yours Enigmatic Black Metallic and Emerald Grey. Of course, you can still opt for white or black mirror caps and a matching roof, but the body-colored ones are standard. There are also a ton of wheel options to choose from. If the 16-inch options that come on the Signature do not appeal to you, you can opt for 17-inch wheels. Those come in the following styles: Rail Spoke 2-tone alloy, Propeller Spoke 2-tone alloy, Roulette Spoke 2-tone alloy, Tentacle Spoke silver, Cosmos Spoke Black alloy, and Cosmos Spoke silver alloy. And, naturally, you get all-season tires with any of these choices.

Moving on to the cabin, you still get the Signature Upholstery Package, but there is much more to it than that. The seats switch to spot seats, and, yes, the front seats are heated. You do have a lot of choices as to upholstery and trims that you want. You can get leatherette Carbon Black, a leatherette/cloth combination done in Black Pearl, cross punch leather in Carbon Black, Satellite Grey lounge leather, Malt Brown Chesterfield leather, and MINI Yours lounge leather in Carbon Black. Steering wheel options include a MINI Yours sport leather steering wheel and a John Cooper Works leather steering wheel with multiple controls mounted onto it. You can get the Chrome Line Interior Trim or opt out of it. There is also the anthracite headliner and surfaces in either MINI Yours Fiber Alloy or Piano Black Illumination. The Hazy Grey surface is standard though, and you can opt for a Piano Black interior surface too. Color line options consist of Carbon Black, Glowing Red, Satellite Grey, and Malt Brown.

So, what kind of technology gets added to the Iconic? Not a lot, but there are a few important upgrades. You still get the Technology Navigation Package, but your screen is enlarged to an 8.8-inch touchscreen display. Apple CarPlay is standard for smartphone app integration, but there is sadly no option for Android Auto. Sorry, Android users, but MINI is not including you here. This is a rarity, too, as most auto manufacturers put both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on even their base trims. Since these features are in such high demand, it is odd that MINI reserved only one of them for its highest subtrim level.

As for other creature comforts, there is the Harman Kardon premium sound system, Chrome Line trim if you don't like the standard exterior trim design, and LED headlights with cornering lights built in.

If you want, you can go for a ton of accessories on any of these subtrims. There is a cool Union Jack interior mirror cover, different carpeting styles for the floor mats, sunshades for the rear windows, and various roof graphics, such as the Checkered Flag Roof Graphic. On the inside, you can get a tablet cradle for the rear seats (which can be attached to the seat backs of the front seats) and a MINI luggage compartment. Bonus tech features include the MINI Advanced Car Eye 2.0, a MINI Bluetooth headset, and a MINI USB charger.

Which Trim to Choose?

Now, we need to narrow it down and choose which trim and subtrim combination we think is the best deal for the average customer. And that honor goes to the Cooper S with the Signature subtrim. Why go middle of the line here? Well, the Cooper S has a much more powerful engine than the Cooper, and it is nowhere near as expensive to buy as the John Cooper Works Hardtop. Although the JWC has a good amount of vroom, it is best left for the select buyers who are able to splurge. And the Signature's engine works well with either the 7- or 8-speed automatic transmissions.

And, let's face it, the Signature subtrim gives you most of what you need. If you are buying this car based on its nostalgia factor, you probably do not care about having an abundance of contemporary technology. MINI shies away from pumping this subtrim full of high-tech gadgets, but they give you just enough to feel comfortable and entertained. The Signature also gives you just enough styling options without making you feel overwhelmed, which can happen if you are trying to customize the Iconic subtrim.

Just make sure that you stick with the 16-inch wheels regardless of which subtrim you choose. The 17-inch wheels definitely look cool, but they compromise the already-stiff ride quality that presents the only significant issue on the 2020 MINI Hardtop. Otherwise, this is a fun vehicle to drive around town.