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Pros: fun at its core, great interior, good quality
Cons: cramped rear seats and small boot
MINI Convertible Design
MINI will tell you that this car is a new one, not just a facelift, but we’re not having that, no matter how much work has been done under the skin. Park it next to the previous model and you’ll certainly spot the changes, but they’re not dramatic. There are new LED lights, snazzy new colours, new alloy wheels and a redesigned front grille, but really, the core shape is unchanged. And it could never be mistaken for anything other than an open-topped MINI.
Those that appreciate the brand’s cheeky style will continue to like this car, and we do approve of how different it can look with a bit of customisation – of which MINI offers plenty.
Speaking of which, the soft top can be had in black or grey with a Union Jack pattern. It’s fully electric as you’d hope, dropping in 18 seconds and going back up in just 15. That can all be done using the key fob from outside the car or a button inside at speeds of up to 30km/h. Alternatively, at any speed, the front section can be opened like a particularly wide sunroof, and it still feels like you’re in a convertible car when that’s open.
MINI Convertible Interior
While the exterior of the Convertible is little changed, the interior is brand new. Well, new to the open-topped model in any case, as this is effectively the same new cabin as found in the hard-topped MINI hatchbacks. And we love it.
In the middle of the dashboard (covered in a tactile knitted, recycled material) is a prominent circular touchscreen using OLED tech to look sharp and respond quickly. Shame there aren’t more physical buttons to complement that, but it works well enough and if you go looking you’ll discover plenty of quirky features, such as the ‘openometer’ that keeps track of how long you keep the roof down for, and Spike, your digital personal assistant that takes the cartoon form of a British bulldog. We’re not joking.
So long as you realise that the rear seats aren’t really fit for adult occupation, and the boot is truly miniscule, the rest of the cabin is a joy. It’s very well made and can, like the exterior, be customised to your liking.
MINI Convertible Performance & Drive
Buyers choose from three different petrol models badged Cooper C, Cooper S and John Cooper Works, though they’re all powered by different versions of the same core four-cylinder, 2.0-litre engine. Peak power outputs are 163hp, 204hp and 231hp, respectively and we tried out the mid-spec Cooper S for size.
The Convertible is not a heavy car so 204hp is plenty for the front wheels to be dealing with, and it’s quite rapid, especially when you dial up the Go Kart driving mode and use the full performance. MINI quotes a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds, but it feels quicker when the roof is down, which is half the point of a sporty convertible.
To reduce buffeting in the cabin, we recommend raising all four windows and deploying the wind deflector that mounts behind the front seats.
Some will lament the lack of a manual gearbox option, but we’re even more disappointed that only the John Cooper Works version can be fitted with gearchange paddles for the automatic gearbox. It’s about the only bum note, though, as the Convertible is an agile and fun car to drive on a twisty road, yet perfectly civil when you’re just ambling around. Obviously, there’s more wind roar over the soft roof than there is over an equivalent hardtop, but that’s the price you pay for the ability to drop the roof down.
MINI Convertible Pricing
The MINI Convertible – technically now called the MINI Cooper Convertible – starts at €39,990 for the Cooper C while the Cooper S is priced from €46,570. Both of those can be had in Classic, Exclusive and Sport trims, each with distinctive colour and material themes, while the John Cooper Works model stands alone in Sport spec at €57,509. Be aware that the various option packs will tempt you, so these prices are just a starting point.
Carzone Verdict
There are no surprises here. The new MINI Convertible continues where its predecessors left off, with more technology than ever and a great cabin (rear space aside, but that’s nothing new). The Cooper S is fun to drive and a good halfway house in the lineup, delivering a feelgood factor to its owners that few cars at this price level can manage. If you’re in the market for a new open-topped, fun car, there aren’t loads of options, but the MINI should certainly be on your shortlist.