2026 Mini Cooper JCW 1965 Victory Edition Review: A Hoot and a Half

A lot gets said about the Mini Cooper not being so mini anymore, as if anyone in their right mind would buy a car the size of the original to drive every day. Instead of shrinking its iconic three-door to dangerous dimensions, the brand is highlighting its heritage with the 2026 Mini Cooper JCW 1965 Victory Edition, which honours its second consecutive win at the famed Monte Carlo Rally. While it might not make a ton of sense at first blush, there was a special-edition model back in 2020 to commemorate the previous year’s triumph. In any case, this car is undeniably riotous to drive. It may not be as puny as it was all those years ago, but this Mini still manages to be endlessly enjoyable for anyone brave enough to bankroll it. 00:00 Intro 01:15 Powertrain 02:58 Driving feel 05:02 Efficiency 05:45 User-friendliness 08:12 Practicality 08:51 Design 09:57 Comfort 11:21 Value 11:49 The verdict Read the full review here: https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/expert-reviews/mini/cooper/2026-mini-cooper-jcw-1965-victory-edition-review-video/ Thanks so much for watching, let us know your thoughts in the comments down below! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to see more car reviews and expert auto advice! SUBSCRIBE here: https://t.ly/iUCxa If you have any questions for our experts Jodi and Dan, send us an email at [email protected] and they’d be happy to respond in the next episode of Own the Road with AutoTrader. Check out our PODCAST here: https://www.youtube.com/@autotrader_ca/podcasts About Us: Welcome to AutoTrader CA, the official channel for Canada’s largest and most trusted marketplace for buying and selling new and used cars. AutoTrader.ca has the largest inventory of vehicles, with cars of all types, RVs, bikes, ATVs, and much more. We provide Canadians with the resources they need to make better vehicle buying decisions with our guides and tools. Check us out at AutoTrader.ca On our channel, we’ve got straightforward car reviews and test drives, from EVs to trucks, Mustangs to Mitsubishis, and tips for car owners, car shoppers and car sellers alike. Our automotive experts Jodi and Dan (also best friends) have a combined 25 years of expertise in the automotive journalism industry and get together to host our podcast, Own the Road with AutoTrader. Jodi Lai is an award-winning automotive journalist with a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson), is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoTrader and the recipient of the prestigious 2022 AJAC Journalist of the Year Award. Dan Ilika is AutoTrader’s Road Test Editor and has been working in the automotive industry for the better part of the last decade. Dan graduated from Toronto’s Humber College with an advanced diploma in journalism, and his work spans from newspaper to television and the web, reviewing cars in writing and in front of the camera. They’ve got the scoop on everything car-related for the everyday driver or the auto enthusiast, helping to make car stuff simple for Canadians. Want to see more of our content? Check out our socials: • Instagram: instagram.com/autotrader_ca • Facebook: facebook.com/AutoTrader.ca • TikTok: tiktok.com/@autotraderca • X (formerly Twitter): x.com/ca_autotrader