Skip advert
Advertisement

MINI Cooper S Convertible

Reborn classic is a hit with the fashion conscious, especially as a drop-top

Few cars can equal the success of the MINI. The introduction of the Clubman and Countryman means the firm has the fashionable small car sector all sewn up.

That leaves the Convertible as something of an old-timer. The first drop-top arrived in 2005, and the latest is the best yet.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With the roof up, the cabrio’s silhouette is very similar to that of the three-door hatch, but the extra fabric in the C-pillars makes it look even chunkier. Lower the top and the first thing that strikes you is the strong and seemingly completely flat waistline running from the base of the windscreen round to the rear of the car. The smooth body panels and flared wheelarches combine with the round headlights and neat detailing to leave you reminiscing about the model’s rich history.

Inside, the retro theme continues with the oversized central speedo and steering column-mounted rev counter. Yet although the seats have plenty of adjustment, locating their various controls can be tricky, while
their flat and hard surfaces prove uncomfortable on long journeys.

The toggle switches and rotary controls look and feel great to use, but delve deeper and some of the plastic quality begins to suffer – the backing of the centre console is particularly flimsy. Still, for the money there are few cars which can match the MINI’s individual and special feel – unless you sit in the back, which has constricted legroom and seems claustrophobic thanks to the thick C-pillars.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Q5

2025 Audi

Q5

30,841 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £27,200
View Q5
Juke

2015 Nissan

Juke

49,104 milesManualDiesel1.5L

Cash £7,800
View Juke
Q2

2018 Audi

Q2

17,100 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £16,897
View Q2
A-Class Saloon

2022 Mercedes

A-Class Saloon

14,312 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £16,897
View A-Class Saloon

At idle, the 1.6-litre turbo is smooth and quiet, but it finds its voice with a blip of the throttle. And it gets louder when you free up the exhaust by activating Sport mode. On the move the Cooper S feels very lively. The steering writhes around in your hands if you accelerate hard on uneven surfaces, while the crisp throttle provides impressive responses.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The smooth-shifting six-speed box is a pleasure to use and all the controls are perfectly weighted. However, driven hard the MINI can become a little unruly, with the stiff, unforgiving suspension allowing the front wheels to spin the power away, especially in tight bends. Slow down and the experience improves, although that harsh suspension and heavy run-flat tyres are never far from your mind. The droning exhaust note can also become intrusive.

Multi-stage top operation means that at the touch of a button the front section of fabric can be slid back like a large sunroof, giving instant wind-in-the-hair motoring at any speed without having to pull over.

However, you must be stationary to fully operate the top: simply press the button again to fold it back and over the rear seats, and automatically drop the windows.

The hood action is quick – taking only 19.8 seconds to lower and 16.5 to close – but it’s not perfect. The biggest disappointment is the lack of a proper tonneau cover, which leaves the top clumsily folded out over the rear deck.

Details

WHY: The MINI is one of the most fashionable superminis around, and the cabrio version provides lively performance, a fabric hood and four seats.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £16,100
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,274 off RRP*Used from £10,395
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,794 off RRP*Used from £6,320
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
Electric Car Grant in detail: Which cars will get the UK EV discount?
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

Electric Car Grant in detail: Which cars will get the UK EV discount?

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 Electric Car Grant for new EVs sold under £3…
News
18 Jul 2025
Electric Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake will keep going long after rivals need to stop
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake - front action

Electric Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake will keep going long after rivals need to stop

The second of Merc’s new-era EVs is here in the form of an attractive estate with a huge range
News
14 Jul 2025