MINI Cooper Convertible Review & Prices
The Mini Cooper Convertible is the best way to get wind-in-your-hair thrills in a hatchback footprint - just don’t expect it to be a practical family car
- Cash
- £28,975
- Monthly
- £468*
- Used
- £29,984
What's good
What's not so good
Find out more about the MINI Cooper Convertible
Is the MINI Cooper Convertible a good car?
The Mini Cooper Convertible is one of the very few small soft-top cars you can still buy. It’s fun to drive on a twisty road and looks fantastic, especially with the roof down. It’s not a practical daily driver, though, unless you never use the back seats and don’t carry anything larger than a carry-on suitcase.
It’s a bit like a tiny Hermes clutch bag - small, stylish, and great fun on a special occasion - but most people would soon tire of the compromises if they used it every day.
Alternatives are few and far between. In fact, the only small convertibles available now are the Mazda MX-5 and the Fiat 500e Cabrio. Otherwise, if you want a rag-top, you’ll need something larger and more expensive such as the BMW 4 Series Convertible or Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet. If you just want something small and stylish, the regular Mini Cooper hatchback is a valid option.
The Cooper Convertible is based on the petrol-powered Mini Cooper hatch rather than the new Mini Cooper Electric, though the styling is similar. It’s very cute, with big circular headlights, a wide grille and Union Flag-patterned taillights. The wheel-at-each-corner stance and neat fabric roof give it good presence on the road, and it looks especially good with the top folded down.
Inside, it’s the same story as the Cooper hatch. The cabin looks and feels fantastic, with tough fabric trim covering many surfaces, and build quality is impressively solid - important for a convertible which typically will be less rigid and more creaky than the equivalent hatch. The circular infotainment screen also looks superb thanks to its slim bezels and futuristic graphics - like a concept-car feature made real.
It’s less impressive to use in practice, though, because almost every function has been routed through the screen. You even have to look at it for your speed, unless you add the optional head-up display. That makes things like climate controls and drive settings more complicated than they need to be. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but they run in a tiny window in the middle of the circular display. Talk about a square peg and a round hole.
The Mini Cooper Convertible is cool and, quite simply, oozing charm
Being based on a hatchback, you might expect the Mini Cooper Convertible to be more practical than the Mazda MX-5, and it technically is, but the rear seats are basically decorative. Four people technically fit, but only if they’re all very small. There are ISOFIX points in the back, though access is awkward with the roof up.
Boot space is limited too. There’s just 160 litres available through a very narrow opening, so one or two soft bags is about your limit. Only the Mazda MX-5 has less luggage space.
You get a choice of three petrol engines. The Cooper C has 163hp, the Cooper S gets 204hp, and the range-topping JCW has 231hp plus a sportier chassis setup. There’s no manual gearbox option like there is in the Mazda MX-5, but the Mini’s automatic suits its character well.
Around town the Cooper Convertible feels nippy, and the quick steering makes it entertaining to throw around corners. The downside is the rock-solid suspension, which crashes over potholes and never really settles down on the motorway either. It’s quiet enough at speed and the assisted driving features work well, but it’s always a bit too firm to properly relax in.
It’s much happier on a twisting country road, where the Cooper Convertible is genuinely good fun. Just don’t bother with the JCW - the regular Cooper C or S are more than enough, and the flagship model is firmer still.
Verdict
Small convertible cars aren't exactly purchases you make with your head, and so it's not very surprising that the Mini Cooper Convertible is quite difficult to justify rationally. But if practicality isn't a concern, just think of it as a small two-seater that's easy and efficient to drive - if a bit uncomfortable over bumps. Plus, at the flick of a button you've got access to the whole sky. A Mazda MX-5 is a better bet for most, though.
If you want to enjoy roof-down motoring then check out Carwow’s Mini Cooper Convertible deals. You can also browse used Mini Convertibles, as well as other used Minis, from our network of trusted dealers. Carwow can even help you sell your current car, too.
How much is the MINI Cooper Convertible?
The MINI Cooper Convertible has a RRP range of £28,975 to £40,775. Prices start at £28,975 if paying cash. Monthly payments start at £468. The price of a used MINI Cooper Convertible on Carwow starts at £29,984.
Compare MINI Cooper Convertible trims and prices:
| MINI Cooper Convertible trim and price | |
|---|---|
| 2.0 C Classic 2dr Auto - Price from £28,975 |
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|
| 2.0 John Cooper Works [Level 3] 2dr Auto - Price from £40,775 |
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|
| 2.0 C Classic [Level 1] 2dr Auto - Price from £30,975 |
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|
| 2.0 S Sport [Level 3] 2dr Auto - Price from £39,110 |
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|
| 2.0 John Cooper Works 2dr Auto - Price from £37,875 |
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|
| 2.0 C Exclusive [Level 3] 2dr Auto - Price from £36,775 |
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|
| 2.0 C Exclusive 2dr Auto - Price from £31,175 |
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|
| 2.0 S Classic 2dr Auto - Price from £32,035 |
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|
| 2.0 C Sport 2dr Auto - Price from £32,475 |
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|
| 2.0 S Exclusive [Level 3] 2dr Auto - Price from £37,810 |
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|
If you go for the entry-level engine (C) and trim (Classic), the Mini Cooper Convertible is quite reasonably priced, comfortably undercutting both the Fiat 500 Electric Convertible and Volkswagen T-Roc Convertible in equivalent trim.
However, it can start to get quite expensive, quite quickly, if you go for more kit and some optional extras. Mini offers three ‘levels’ of optional extras, so if you get the S engine, top-spec Sport trim, Level 3 equipment pack and the Union Jack roof, you’re looking at nearly £40,000.
Performance and drive comfort
The Mini Cooper Convertible definitely lets you know when you've hit a pothole
A touch uncomfortable over bumps, but great fun to dart about town in
In town
Sure, the Mini Cooper isn’t exactly miniature anymore, but by modern standards it’s pretty small, making it well-suited to city driving. Whether you’re squeezing down a residential street with cars parked either side, navigating width restrictors or simply nipping into gaps in heavy traffic, the Mini Cooper Convertible excels.
The car has a sporty suspension setup, which pays dividends on a twisty road but does mean you rather crash into potholes and get jostled about on particularly rough surfaces. However, everything feels so well-screwed together, and the suspension settles quickly, so it’s not enough to get annoying.
The automatic gearbox is sharp-witted enough that you rarely find yourself waiting for it to shift gears and give you the power you’ve asked for, but it’s no match for the instant response you get from the electric motors in the Fiat 500 Electric Convertible.
On the motorway
Like most modern convertibles, the Mini is impressively refined for a drop-top at higher speeds, though it’s naturally a bit noisier than the regular hatchback model. What’s more, while it’s not exactly limo-like in the way it drives down a motorway, you don’t feel like you’re in a small car when cruising at 70mph because the Cooper Convertible is nicely planted.
The suspension jolts a bit over road imperfections, but again, it’s not enough to shake your confidence or make the car too uncomfortable on a long trip.
Driver aids help, because the Mini systems aren’t too intrusive, so the car brakes smoothly with the adaptive cruise control activated, and the lane-keeping assistance doesn’t tug too hard at the wheel.
On a twisty road
Mini has long touted the ‘go-kart feeling’ in its models, and the latest generation models even have a ‘go-kart mode’ for sporty driving situations. Although it feels a touch artificial, because the steering wheel is quite chunky and you don’t get much feedback about how much grip the tyres have, the Cooper Convertible is good fun to chuck down a twisty road.
The lack of a manual gearbox is a shame here, particularly as the automatic in the Mini has a tendency to hold onto gears a bit too long, so if you’re looking for a convertible that’s a more focused driver’s car you should look no further than the Mazda MX-5.
Space and practicality
Behind my six-foot driving position there isn't really space for anybody - not even a child seat
Surprisingly spacious and comfortable up front, but the rear seats are tiny and so is the boot
If you’re sitting up front then the Mini Cooper Convertible is actually surprisingly spacious for a car of this size. It’s a touch claustrophobic for headroom until you drop the roof, but otherwise even taller drivers should be able to find a comfortable driving position.
Storage is reasonable too, with a nifty covered box between the front seats, a pair of cup holders, and a vertical phone holder that doubles as a wireless charger if you get the Level 1 option pack. The door bins are fairly small but can fit a purse and a bottle of water.
Space in the back seats
Life in the back is rather more cramped. With a six foot driver’s natural seating position there’s virtually no legroom, so you’ll probably want to limit rear seat passengers to young children – and even then there’s a good chance you’ll have to move the front seats further forward than you’d like.
There are no door bins or pockets to hold loose items, though you do get a small tray and cup holder between the rear seats, of which there are only two. You certainly wouldn’t want to squeeze three in the back, even if there was a middle pew.
You do get ISOFIX points in the rear seats as well as the front passenger seat – useful if it’s just you and your baby, because while it’s possible to fit a child seat in the back, it is a bit of a squeeze.
Boot space
Practicality isn’t the Mini Cooper Convertible’s strong suit, and this is further evidenced by the small boot. At 160 litres only the Mazda MX-5 has a smaller capacity at 130 litres, while you get 185 litres in the Fiat 500 Electric Convertible and 284 litres in the Volkswagen T-Roc Convertible.
You access the boot through a hatch that folds down towards you, so it’s not the easiest to access, and then there’s only room for a few soft bags for a weekend away. You can fold the rear seats if you want to carry something long, but the low boot ceiling means you won’t be fitting anything too chunky inside.
Interior style, infotainment and accessories
I love the way the futuristic display looks, but I don't love the way it operates
Cool designs, materials and technology, but there are some compromises to be made
As with all modern Minis, the highlight of the Cooper Convertible is the cabin. You get interesting fabrics used on the doors and dashboard in place of your typical plastics, while the cabin is dominated by a large circular infotainment display.
This centrepiece looks great, the graphics are sharp and it’s generally pretty simple and slick to use. The native operating system makes good use of the circular shape, though the climate controls that are permanently displayed at the bottom can be fiddly to use on the move.
Unsurprisingly, the unconventional shape doesn’t come without compromise, and the main one is the way it displays Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Because these phone mirroring services don’t support circular displays, they’re shown within a square in the centre, which is just a bit jarring aesthetically. It all works perfectly fine, though.
Like the unique display, there are also plenty of materials used throughout the Mini’s interior that you won’t see in many other cars. The fabric on the doors and the dashboard looks fantastic compared with the usual black plastics you get in most modern cars, and although it’s rough to the touch there’s an overall feeling of quality.
MPG, emissions and tax
The Mini Cooper Convertible comes with a choice of two engines, signified by C or S when configuring the car. Both are 2.0-litre units, but the C has 163hp and the S has a sportier edge with 204hp.
According to official figures there’s not much in it fuel economy-wise, with both around 42-43mpg. However, it’s likely you’ll see slightly worse economy from the S in the real world, simply because you’ll want to make the most of the extra power from time to time.
First-year Vehicle Excise Duty rates are pretty low, and all models fall under the £40,000 threshold, so you don’t have to pay anything extra in years two to six. However, if you’re considering a company car, an electric vehicle, such as the Fiat 500 Electric Convertible, would be a better choice because of the favourable Benefit-in-Kind rates.
Safety and security
The Mini Cooper Convertible has not been safety tested by Euro NCAP, so it’s tricky to say how well it will perform in a crash.
However, you do get some useful assistance kit as standard, such as lane-keeping, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control and a system that will park the car for you. Opting for the Level 3 option pack adds a more advanced cruise control system, 360-degree parking cameras, and augmented reality navigation.
Reliability and problems
| Make and model | Warranty cover |
|---|---|
|
Mini Cooper Convertible |
Three years, unlimited mileage |
|
Mazda MX-5 |
Six years, 100,000 miles |
|
Fiat 500e Cabrio |
Three years, 60,000 miles |
Mini finished in the bottom half of the Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, placing 20th out of 32 manufacturers. That sounds bad, but the old Mini Hatchback, with which this Cooper Convertible shares most of its parts, came fifth overall, only really losing marks for space and practicality, as well as poor running costs.
You get a three-year/60,000-mile warranty with the Mini Cooper Convertible, which is just about the industry standard, and similar to what you get with alternatives.
MINI Cooper Convertible FAQs
- Cash
- £28,975
- Monthly
- £468*
- Used
- £29,984
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*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.