Mini just introduced the Cooper Oxford Edition. It is a special edition Cooper intended for full- or part-time students, postgraduates or those who graduated in the past year. Albeit being the cheapest Cooper on offer right now, the car actually packs more gear than the entry-level Cooper Classic. Small fun hatch is available in three-door and in five-door form with the prices starting at $19,750 (destination charge excluded). The five-door is a $1,000 more expensive.

2019 Mini Cooper Oxford Edition

Specifications
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  • Model: 2019 Mini Cooper Oxford Edition
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Exterior

Of course, one cannot expect any major cosmetic changes compared with the regular Mini Cooper, but the Oxford Edition did gain 17-inch wheels and an option for six different paint hues. Usually, Mini charges $500 for some of these options. Two of those cool color options include British Racing Green and Starlight Blue.

As a final touch, Mini integrated a panoramic roof. This is usually $1,000 optional gear for the upper trims of the Cooper, but Mini offers it as a part of the Oxford Edition model. As for the name, I have to say that Mini did not refer to the Oxford University with it, but their headquarters in Oxford. Although, I am sure that on the “let's-pick-a-name” meeting, the Oxford Edition was chosen partly because of Oxford University's popularity.

Interior

Moving to the cabin, you may find heated front seats, a dark headliner (for the hardtop as well), and manual transmission. The automatic is available but for a premium of $1,250. After all, Mini knows students will hook up their Cooper with all sorts of garbage. It has to work.

Drivetrain

The 1.5-liter, turbocharged, three-cylinder engine is the only option for the 2019 Mini Cooper Oxford Edition. Not exactly a powerhouse, but definitely enough powerful for student tasks. Despite sounding less than enthusiastic, the 134 horsepower can actually accelerate the small Cooper to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. When equipped with the six-speed automatic, that is. The manual will do the same job in 7.4 seconds.

Price

It may be that the 2019 Mini Cooper Oxford Edition is the best value for money you can get with Mini. Considering just how much added gear one gets, I would say that this is the best offer from Mini I have seen in a while. The only thing is that you cannot lease it. Only buy it as The Drive reports.

Furthermore, the Oxford Edition is actually a limited offering, but Mini officials refused to comment just how limited it is. Considering all the added equipment, Mini reckons one is saving more than $3,500 with opting for this model. Actually, some of the equipment integrated into the Oxford Edition isn’t even available as an option for the Mini Cooper Classic (the entry-level version).

Conclusion

It may be tricky to get this car after all. Mini is quite strict with their rules about selling this car to graduates, students and the like. This is their comment:

“The MINI Oxford Edition represents a tremendous value for college students and recent graduates who are looking for a fun, stylish car that won’t break the bank,” said Randy Clements, Department Head, Product Planning & Aftersales, MINI USA. “Eligible students and graduates can save thousands on a well-equipped MINI that is ideal to get them to get to campus or their first job out of school in style.”

All in all, if you want possibly the best deal with a Mini, this is it.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2015 Mini Cooper.

Read our full review on the Mini John Cooper Works.

Read more Mini news.