MINI Cooper Convertible review

Our opinion on the MINI Cooper Convertible

The MINI Cooper Convertible had us smiling almost the entire time we were driving it, quickly reminding us why we loved its predecessor so much. This little open-top thrill machine is fun to drive, and features a superb-looking, quality-feeling interior that’s more practical than a traditional two-seater roadster’s – though not by much, we’ll admit. 

For now, every model gets a burbling four-cylinder petrol engine which provides smooth power delivery and a lovely exhaust note. An electric model is also in the works, and should only boost this car’s appeal further.

About the MINI Cooper Convertible

The latest MINI Cooper Convertible already has a very good head start in life, because underneath is an updated version of the previous car’s platform. However, this time the suspension, steering and transmission tuning have all been tuned differently to separate it from its predecessor, as well as other models in the MINI range. 

Speaking of which, while the tin-top MINI Cooper hatchback is available with either a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder or 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the Convertible just gets the larger of the two engines in varying states of tune.

Regardless of which you choose, all engines in the Cooper Convertible are paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; no manual gearbox is offered in any version. 

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As with pretty much every modern MINI, the ride quality of the Cooper Convertible is very firm, resulting in the car crashing into larger potholes and not absorbing bump as well as it should. We also noticed the car starts to jiggle a lot over uneven road surfaces. But on a smoother tarmac, it’s comfortable to cruise along in, and the cabin is actually surprisingly quiet even at higher speeds with the roof down.  

Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed

Base Cooper C models get 161bhp and 250Nm of torque; enough for 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds. Meanwhile, the Cooper S gets a more generous 201bhp and 300Nm, which allows it to hit 62mph in 6.9 seconds. Finally, the full-fat John Cooper Works model turns the dial up to 228bhp and 360Nm, cutting the 0-62mph time down to 6.4 seconds. 

The JCW is the zestiest Cooper, but we certainly weren’t left wanting for more power when driving the mid-range Cooper S. This particular model delivers plenty of punch low down, plus the occasional pop and hint of turbo whistle when you lift off the throttle. It’s quite a bit cheaper to buy, too.

The Cooper’s gearbox can be hesitant in its standard setting when you put your foot down, but throttle response becomes quicker if you switch from Normal to the Go-Kart driving mode – or one of the ‘Experience Modes’ as MINI calls them.

Town driving, visibility and parking

One thing the modern MINI definitely has in common with the original is how well it copes with the urban sprawl. Narrow streets and tight spaces won’t be an issue due to this car’s compact dimensions, and visibility is great when you have the roof down. There’s enough power for a quick dash away from the traffic lights, too.

It’s that ride quality that spoils things a bit, though, as anything other than a perfect road surface causes this car to fidget rather severely. Find a particularly uneven stretch of tarmac and you’ll soon be praying that nobody on board suffers from motion sickness.

Country road driving and handling

We mentioned that a firm ride is a typical MINI trait, but another one is hugely entertaining handling. The Convertible is no exception to this rule as it feels very planted going through corners. Well weighted steering adds to the fun, as does the grip and body control this little car delivers. This is all complemented by a rapturous, burbling exhaust note from the four-cylinder engine under the bonnet.  

Motorway driving and long-distance comfort 

While the MINI thrives on B-roads, it’s a bit more of a mixed bag on the motorway. It still feels very firm, that’s unescapable, but large bumps are dealt with well at these speeds. Whether you decide to tackle the national speed limit with the roof up or down, external noise is kept under a reasonable amount of control. That being said, the hardtop naturally has the advantage here.

For those who are searching for a guilt-free, zero-emissions open-top driving experience, an electric version of the MINI Cooper Convertible is on the cards, but we’re yet to hear a firm arrival date.

For now, the Cooper Convertible is available exclusively with a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. MINI claims it can return up to 43.5mpg in the base Cooper C model, while the more powerful Cooper S and hot JCW version will do up to 42.8mpg and 40.9mpg respectively – providing you keep your heavy lead foot at bay. 

Due to the additional weight of the folding roof, along with the altered aerodynamics, the Convertible is a little bit thirstier than the hardtop MINI Cooper. For example, the regular Cooper C officially claims 47.9mpg. It’s a small gap, but one that’s worth bearing in mind nonetheless.

Insurance groups

Modern MINIs have a premium quality about them, and unfortunately this is likely to be reflected in this car’s insurance premiums. The MINI Cooper Convertible sits between groups 23 and 29 (out of 50) while the hardtop car is a little bit cheaper in groups 21 to 27. If we compare the MINI to another convertible, the Mazda MX-5, it does look a bit more affordable, as the Japanese sports car lurks between groups 24 and 33.

Tax

Until the electric model arrives (if it ever does), company car drivers who choose the MINI Cooper Convertible won’t incur any big tax breaks. If you’re unwilling to wait, your electric drop-top choices are very limited as this market is currently tiny. The only close EV rivals to the MINI are the Fiat 500 Convertible or the Renault 4 Plein Sud. 

Every MINI Cooper Convertible is liable for the standard rate of VED road tax, and there’s also the risk of the £40,000 luxury car tax bracket for combustion cars to consider. Most of the line-up avoids this, but cramming the fancier models with options could bring this into play.

Depreciation

Despite the unpredictability of British weather, the MINI Convertible remains pretty desirable on the used market. Our market data indicates that this car will retrain between 47 to 52 per cent of its initial value after three years or 36,000 miles. This is a much better outcome than the one faced by another of the nation’s favourite soft-tops, the Mazda MX-5. This little Japanese roadster only manages 38 to 40 per cent after the same length of time or mileage.

As well as using the same platform as the previous MINI Convertible, some design elements have been carried forward to the latest model as well. Arguably the most noticeable are the oblong tail-lights, however these now feature internals with a customisable dot-matrix pattern. The grille and headlights are also fresh, but the biggest change is the cabin.

Interior and dashboard design

Naturally, the Cooper Convertible’s interior design is shared with the MINI Cooper hatchback, as well as the MINI Aceman and MINI Countryman.

When the sun decides to come out, it takes just 18 seconds to lower the fabric roof via a toggle switch at the top of the windscreen, and you can do it at up to 18mph. Alternatively, ‘Sunroof’ mode slides the soft-top back by 40cm if you just want to bring a little extra light into the cabin. 

Materials and build quality

Despite its retro theme, there’s a genuinely premium quality about the MINI cabin. The knitted material across the dashboard and high-quality, vegan-friendly leatherette upholstery all feel very nicely put together. A number of the materials within this car are recycled, but they’re used in such a way that you’d probably never be able to tell. However, if you search hard enough, you will find some hard plastics here and there.

One thing we would’ve liked is more switchgear. While there are a handful of buttons for functions like starting the car and changing the driving mode, the vast majority of functions are controlled via the central touchscreen.

Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo

The super-sharp 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen is responsible for displaying vital driving information, infotainment and climate controls. We’re pleased to report that even with the roof down and in direct sunlight, it’s still very easy to read the high-contrast display. It’s responsive to use, too, with the option of using MINI’s ‘Spike’ AI assistant.

A fun addition for the Convertible is an ‘Always Open Timer’ in the central display that tells you exactly how much time you’ve spent driving with the roof down. Hopefully British buyers won’t find this too taunting during the colder, wetter months of the year – which, admittedly, feels like most of the time. 

The MINI Cooper is already a pretty small car by modern standards, but adding in a folding roof inevitably takes up some of this already limited space. However, one benefit the Cooper Convertible has over traditional two-seat roadsters, such as the Mazda MX-5, is a pair of back seats with two sets of Isofix child-seat mounting points. Although that doesn’t make the MINI a family car. 

Dimensions and size

Seats & passenger space

Of course, there’s all the headroom in the world with the roof down, but rear legroom is in much shorter supply so adults won’t want to spend too much time back there. It’s also much louder in the back of the Convertible, partly because of the much slimmer rear windows. 

Think of the MINI Cooper Convertible as a two seater with extra luggage space in the back, though, and it’ll feel positively massive compared to the Fiat 500 Convertible. Unlike those in the rear, front occupants get enough legroom to get genuinely comfortable, and there’s ample headroom with the roof up.

Boot space 

Boot capacity is 215 litres with the roof in place, which should be enough for your luggage plus a bucket and spade to go on a weekend trip to the seaside. However, the storage space shrinks to 160 litres once you fold the roof down. On that rare occasion that you need to load longer items into the Convertible, you can lower the rear seats to create 665 litres of space. 

The current MINI Cooper was voted as the 32nd best car to own out of 50 models in the 2026 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. Drivers were generally pleased with the car’s powertrain and driving experience, but the ride quality left a lot to be desired.

The MINI brand has some work to do in order to improve its reputation, though, as it only managed 22nd out of 30 in the best manufacturer results. Practicality, running costs and value for money all contributed towards this rather disappointing result.

While the MINI Cooper Convertible doesn’t have its own Euro NCAP safety rating, the standard Cooper received the full five stars when it was tested in 2025. Like the previous model, the Convertible features a rollover protection system that includes hoops behind the rear seat headrests that are deployed as soon as the car thinks it might roll over.

Other safety and driver-assistance equipment includes cruise control, a rear-view camera, autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition and lane-keeping assist. Meanwhile adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking function are available with the optional ‘Level 3’ pack, which is only available on select variants and costs £5,600.

• Best buy: MINI Cooper Convertible S Classic 

Prices for the drop-top MINI start from around £29,000 compared to £25,000 for the hardtop. 

If you’re buying a MINI Cooper Convertible, we’re willing to assume that the fun factor is important to you. As with the regular MINI Cooper, we’d go for the Cooper S but stick with the entry-level Classic trim, which gives you a bit more power so you can enjoy driving this car while helping keep costs down. 

This version comes with the Level 1 pack anyway, which includes the highly useful feature in a convertible of heated seats - a must in an open-top car in this country with our changeable weather. Prices start from around £32,000.

You can save by building your dream MINI Cooper Convertible with the Auto Express Buy A Car service. We also have a range of used Cooper Convertible models in stock and ready to hit the road in rain or shine.

MINI Cooper Convertible alternatives

The convertible market is dwindling, so it’s difficult to find a direct competitor to the MINI Cooper Convertible. The Fiat 500 Convertible brings an equal amount of retro charm, but it’s based on a city car rather than a supermini, so it’s quite a bit smaller than the MINI.

At the opposite end of the scale is the Mazda MX-5, which remains one of Britain’s favourite drop-tops, but it’s a low-slung, two-seater roadster that’s far less practical than the Cooper.

It’s a similar story for those looking to go electric. The MG Cyberster is another traditional roadster, and it starts from over £55,000. There’s also the Renault 4 Plein Sud, which is a small SUV with a large retractable canvas sunroof. This isn’t as much fun to drive as the MINI, but it’s easily one of the most practical open-air cars that you can currently buy.

MINI Cooper Convertible pictures

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