65 years on and the MINI Cooper remains to be an unmistakable icon. Now in its fifth era, the convertible variant continues to impress with its open-top verve, hatchback agility, and esoteric appeal, however now with added highway refinement, higher chassis rigidity, and a delightfully charming inside.
You’ll be able to learn our opinions of the final generations of MINI convertibles – we weren’t shy about calling them under common. They weren’t nice. The interiors rattled each time we hit a bump, the roofs gave the impression to be held collectively by string and glue, and the following weight penalties meant that efficiency took a nosedive in comparison with the athletic and spritely hardtop coupes. However these considerations seem to have been short-lived, as this new 2025 mannequin has benefited from a bigger, stiffer, and extra inflexible chassis.
The Convertible just isn’t as inherently compromised anymore and although informal drivers won’t discover the disparity, we will boldly report that it now not oscillates as closely over highway imperfections. The chassis doesn’t violently shake because it tries to grip onto its anchors, and the experience remains to be agency by hatchback means and isn’t as secure and composed because the coupe, but it surely’s a significant enchancment, and makes it tough to not suggest the convertible because the go-to MINI, particularly if its destined use is as an informal day by day driver. The one actual downside is the trunk house (215L high up, 160L high down) and vestigial rear seats. Don’t count on to suit any reasonably-sized adults again there until they sit sideways in with their legs hunched up. On the intense facet, placing the material roof down presents limitless headroom. It takes 18 seconds to decrease at speeds as much as 30 km/h, folding down behind the rear seats into the form of a Golgi equipment, which blocks the view out the rear however you may nonetheless spot the roof of tailgaters behind you.
The inside obtained a significant replace, adopting the same design to the Countryman. The 9.4-inch frameless round OLED touchscreen sits fairly within the middle and steals the highlight. It presents the most recent MINI infotainment system and is suitably lag-free and responsive to the touch inputs. MINI invested a substantial amount of money and time into designing a vibrant and alluring interface for every menu display screen, the whole lot from the air conditioning menu to the driving modes, making every button press a pleasant shock.
Just like the Volvo EX30 and not using a driver’s instrument panel, we have been displeased by all the principle data solely being displayed on the middle touchscreen, forcing you to take your eyes off the highway to capitalize on very important information and to make touchscreen changes. There’s a small head-up show however its measurement limits how a lot data could be proven directly. We unintentionally knocked the sign stalk with our knees however didn’t notice it till we went to regulate the temp management and seen the blinking inexperienced arrow.
Ergonomics was a big focus and we’re glad they didn’t resort to hidden fan vents with sophisticated toggles like they’ve in BMWs. To scale back muddle, it could have been a logical resolution to implement quantity management into the touchscreen, however there’s an precise quantity dial right here. Not so fortunate for the temperature controls although, that are cumbersome to function.
Opposite to what some would possibly understand, the two-door MINI is extra spacious inside than you’ll count on. My six-foot self has no points discovering a cosy driving place with the seat reclined again or when sitting straight up. There’s oodles of additional headroom and a generously sized footwell to stretch your legs. The cabin format is extra ergonomic than the earlier mannequin’s intrusive armrest and awkwardly positioned gear lever and handbrake. The armrest right here isn’t adjustable but it surely’s skinny and doesn’t impede you from accessing the cupholders.
The beige leather-based seats really feel fine quality with their grey and blue accent stitching, and wouldn’t look misplaced on a dearer BMW. The complete cabin makes use of upscale supplies and makes the driving force really feel like they spent more cash than they’ve. We are able to’t overstate how useful that cubby field within the middle console is, particularly for drivers who don’t carry round private baggage or have deep pockets, and have a tendency to throw their pockets and keys all over the place. This field retains them contained and from flying across the inside, and away from prying eyes. The one concern is that the field opens away from the driving force, so passengers don’t have easy accessibility to the contents.
The vertically-oriented wi-fi charging pad isn’t as handy because the flat pad within the Countryman as a result of tighter house necessities, and there’s a material strap that retains it in place, but it surely’s not very straightforward to get your cellphone out and in. We want the roof operation button was situated on the door panel moderately than the headliner, making it simpler and nearer to entry. But it surely’s good to have the choice of opening the roof midway, sliding it again identical to a regular sunroof with out the total open-cabin dedication. However we haven’t seen a big enchancment in acoustic insulation. Loads of exterior wind and tire noise seeps into the cabin such as you’ve unintentionally left the rear window open. On the intense facet, the robust and crisp Harmon Kardon system delivers crisp and sharp audio, drowning out a lot of the undesirable noise, whether or not it’s roof up or roof down.
The MINI Convertible is out there with three powertrains: Cooper C (161 hp, $42,990), Cooper S (201 hp, $46,990), and John Cooper Works (228 hp, $58,990). We examined the center baby, the S mannequin, and loved its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and punchy 221 lb-ft of torque. It would dash from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and whereas it gained’t win any pink slip races, it’s sufficient to make this convertible really feel spritely and light-weight on its toes. Entrance-wheel drive and a torpid and unpolished 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox are normal fare, one which now we have complained about on different MINI and BMW opinions that make the most of the identical unit, however highway consolation is improved and the convertible seems extra secure and compliant over pockmarked roads. It nonetheless retains that sense of agility round corners if you flick the wheel, and the standard, sharp, low-speed manoeuvrability anticipated of these carrying the MINI badge. Oddly, there are not any paddle shifters on this S mannequin, leaving no means of rowing your personal gears.
It’s additionally been some time since we’ve felt this a lot torque steer. Give the MINI an excessive amount of throttle when the entrance wheels aren’t gripped up and the steering wheel will tug left and proper because it digs into the bottom. It’s not till they claw in and begin pulling that it lastly settles down. Honda and Hyundai appeared to have solved their torque steer points however we’re perplexed why MINI can’t, or haven’t.
Not a dealbreaker. What options are there anyway beneath $50,000 with this a lot open-top character and esoteric appeal? MINI performs in a small (forgive the pun) and rarefied area and stands out due to it. There’s the Mazda MX-5, Ford Mustang, and Jeep Wrangler soft-top if you happen to’re attempting to be inventive, however they’re additionally restricted and compromised paths to realize everlasting sunshine. MINI it’s then, now with fewer compromises and extra high quality than ever earlier than. Don’t overlook the sunscreen.
Specs:
Mannequin: 2025 MINI Cooper S Convertible
Paint Sort: Glowing Copper Gray
Base Worth: $46,990
Worth as Examined: $55,190
Size/Width/Peak (mm): 3,879 / 1,744 / 1,431
Powertrain: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Horsepower: 201 hp
Torque: 221 lb-ft
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
Engine & Drive Configuration: Entrance engine, FWD
Noticed Gasoline Financial system (L/100km): 8.6
Tires: Pirelli Cinturato P7; 215/40R18
