- 2010
2007 MINI Cooper
- Used MINI Cooper
MINI Cooper Safety Review
Safety - 8.4 (Very Good)
The 2007 Cooper MINI boasts a complete range of safety equipment, including six air bags. It has not yet been rated in government or insurance industry crash tests, though the 2006 model received good scores.
Accident Avoidance:
Standard accident avoidance equipment is automatic stability control, anti-lock Alphabet Brakes, electronic brake force distribution and cornering brake control. A new Brake Assistant is also included to build up maximum brake pressure during emergency situations. The S model includes traction control, and the addition of the Sport Package on either trim level adds BMW's dynamic stability control. This includes a hill assist feature, which activates the brakes to prevent the car from rolling back on an uphill ascent.
In addition, a standard flat tire monitor system alerts the driver the moment a change is detected in the rotation of any of the four wheels, and MINI's sculpted headlamps use a reflective prism that boosts light output by 25 percent.
Crash Protection:
The Auto Channel comments, "Benefiting from its strong and stable body structure, the new MINI offers a standard of crash safety quite unique in its segment. In the event of a collision, optimized load paths within the body structure serve to effectively divert forces acting on the car, despite the short overhangs in the front and rear." A standout feature of the new MINI is its six air bags, which come standard. According to the Auto Channel, "MINI Coopers all have six airbags, which they say is 'one for every 2 feet of car.' "Also standard are passive front and rear crumple zones and side-intrusion protection. An accident sensor automatically unlocksdoors and turns on interior and hazard lights in the event of a crash.
While the 2007 hatchback has not yet been crash tested, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2006 pre-redesign Cooper hatchback four stars out of five for frontal impacts and four stars for side impacts involving front occupants. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the 2006 Cooper received a rating of "good" (the best possible) in frontal-impact crashes, and a rating of "average" in side-impact crashes.
