► Fourth-generation MINI gets soft-top variant
► Two petrol engines offered, but no manual gearbox
► Prices from £26,200 with first deliveries in April 2025

It’s hard to beat MINI MINI Cooper Hatchbut this latest Cooper Convertible variant surely manages to do just that. Cute, reasonably priced and packed with everything you need in a compact four-seat convertible, it’s sure to be a hit with the fully paid members of the vast MINI fan club.

You know the drill: take the hatch, cut off the metal roof and replace it with a sleek fabric equivalent, then make a few choice adjustments while keeping everything else the same. It’s a recipe that has worked well for MINI in the past and Oxford’s finest have done the same again here.

Real rivals are rare. The Fiat 500C is much smaller and much less dynamic, while the VW T-Roc Convertible is more of a mini-SUV than a hatchback. If you want to go really left, the Mazda MX-5 mixes the qualities of a sunroof with a RWD powertrain, but it’s not as versatile as the MINI Convertible and a strict two-seater. Did this last variant meet our expectations? Keep reading to find out.

At a glance

Benefits : Brilliantly stylish, great cabin, easy top down experience

Disadvantages: Firm ride, no standard paddle shifters on S model

What’s new?

Look at the new MINI Cooper Convertible from the front and it’s almost identical to the latest MINI Hatch. The newly designed grille and circular LED headlights (optionally available with three customizable light signatures) come together to form an unmistakably MINI face – but there is a clear evolution compared to the previous model.

Move to the rear, however, and it looks eerily similar to the previous model, with MINI choosing not to match the rear for the convertible version. In particular, the taillights differ significantly from those of the Hatch.

As for this folding roof, it is fully automatic and can be opened in 18 seconds (and closed in 15 seconds) when traveling up to 30 km/h. Hidden behind the head restraints at the rear of the car is MINI’s integrated rollover protection system which is automatically activated as soon as the vehicle detects a risk of rollover.

The MINI Experience modes – of which there are seven – also make their way onto the convertible. Users can choose between Core, Green, Vivid, Timeless, Balance, Personal and Go Kart modes, with changes to the driving dynamics and interior lighting color palette in each preset.

What are the specifications?

The MINI Convertible is offered with a choice of two petrol engines. The Cooper Convertible C gets a 1.5-liter three-cylinder with 161 hp, while the Cooper Convertible S uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 201 hp. Both variants use a seven-speed automatic transmission (there’s no manual option, unfortunately) with front-wheel drive.

Customers can choose from three trim levels: Classic, Exclusive and Sport. Classic gets a black-trimmed grille, 16-inch square-spoke alloy wheels and stylish-looking interior knit dashboard trim as standard.

Meanwhile, Exclusive gets a Vibrant Silver grille, 17-inch gray U-spoke alloy wheels, tasteful British Racing Green body color and Nightshade Blue Vescin seats. Finally, the Sport version benefits from a redesigned front and rear look with a high-gloss hexagonal pattern grille surround and front and rear aprons. Black brake calipers with JCW badging are also offered as standard, while JCW Black Vescin/cord combination seats feature inside.

Strangely, only the Sport variant has shift paddles on the steering wheel allowing manual control without having to remove your hands. It is therefore possible to get a MINI Cooper Convertible S without paddle shifters. Hmmm…

How does it ride?

Our stay in the MINI Cabrio was very limited and we will update this review as soon as we have an extended drive on UK roads. We got behind the wheel of an S-spec car and the good news is that the sense of fun that is so crucial to the MINI’s charm is even more present in the convertible version.

On a decent day, the experience of driving the car is extremely pleasant and aided by a cabin design that, unlike many cars, seems to get better with each generation.

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offers enough performance to achieve a 0-60 mph time just under the seven-second mark, but we noticed that without Go Kart mode engaged, the seven-second transmission Speeds might be slow to respond. And since the paddles weren’t installed on our non-Sport car, the replacement option wasn’t as easy to reach as we’d like.

With the roof down, the four-cylinder engine has a nice, throaty tone with hints of turbo that give the character you expect from a MINI. Let it settle, however, and the engine’s refinement will be perfectly sufficient. At low speeds, there is little or no wind blowing when the top is down. Climb above 50 mph and you’ll start to notice the elements, but it’s still quiet enough to enjoy a conversation.

In fact, our biggest complaint from a comfort standpoint concerns the ride quality. In order to accommodate the extra weight of the convertible, MINI had to change the chassis parameters in relation to the hatch. This means you have a firm ride that crashes over bigger bumps with a jarring feel. Small undulations and imperfections are best handled, but you will want to avoid any significant road surface imperfections.

The flip side is that the MINI Convertible feels compact and nimble to drive. We couldn’t push it to its limits in our test drive – and we suspect most owners won’t either – but in fast corners we subjected it to the chassis which held up well and showed a sharp and precise front. -END. There’s torque steer under tension – just like in the Hatch – but nothing that can’t be managed.

How is the interior?

Truly excellent. MINI’s designers have done a fantastic job of adding life and character to the car’s cabin while maintaining the required levels of technology and functionality. Recycled polyester textile surfaces add texture without resorting to more expensive, less durable materials, while the control panel (with physical switches) below the central display is a welcome tactile touch.

Said screen – a 9.5-inch screen – now works much better after struggling with previous additions to get a round design to properly display third-party apps like Apple CarPlay. It’s not quite perfect yet, but with the different graphic themes (available when you scroll through the Experience modes), it’s a pleasure to use.

Having the temperature controls take up a permanent spot on the side of the screen also aids usability, as do the nice, big physical buttons on the steering wheel – ideal if you’re wearing gloves.

Before buying

Whichever version of the MINI Cooper Convertible you choose, you’re getting a car that’s affordable, has a premium feel, plenty of style, and great design. However, if you like the Cooper Convertible S version, keep in mind that it’s not quite the same as the hot hatch experience you get in the Hatch variant.

The convertible is heavier, and while it handles well, it feels less sporty. The extra power is definitely helpful, but don’t expect to find a hot rod without a roof. And of course, if you want to have steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, be sure to opt for the Sport trim.

We also recommend opting for the head-up display, because while the central screen works well, it feels a little unnatural to look at the speedometer and other crucial driving information.

Verdict: MINI Cooper Convertible

Our time behind the wheel was brief, but first impressions suggest the MINI Convertible fills the fun, stylish and usable convertible backrest with aplomb. The cabin design is stylish, there’s more than enough technology, the experience with the roof down is successful and the handling is pleasant. We’ll save our final recommendations for the UK trip but, for now, we think the new MINI Cooper Convertible is the winner.