I’m a large fan of Minis, each actually and figuratively. I’m 6-foot-8 and personal a four-door 2017 Mini Cooper S hatchback, and anybody who is aware of me is aware of how a lot I like my automobile. Within the fashionable profit-driven automotive market, automakers are consolidating product traces and simplifying possibility packages, typically resulting in extra sensible however extra boring vehicles. Certain, the new herd of autos from Mini have grown a bit, however they nonetheless ooze character and sacrifice some practicality for the sake of caprice. The just lately unveiled fourth-generation Mini Cooper Convertible takes the brand new Mini recipe of extra energy, extra cuteness and streamlined appears to be like and raises the roof on the equation. In a sea of extremely logical, typically uninteresting vehicles, the 2025 Mini Cooper Convertible is a uncommon bundle of foolish enjoyable.
Full Disclosure: BMW flew me out to South Carolina, put me up in a stunning lodge, and fed me numerous scrumptious Southern meals at its annual Check Fest. I previewed the brand new Mini Cooper Convertible, which means I drove it for about half-hour, in addition to a slew of different autos. I obtained a glimpse into the way forward for the BMW group and I’m grateful for the chance.
As with the remainder of the 2025 Mini Cooper lineup, the convertible now features a typical turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 that routes 161 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the entrance wheels, whereas the Mini Cooper S has a 2.0-liter turbo 4 that cranks up the facility to 201 horses and 221 torques. Each these numbers are increased than the outgoing automobile, and the bottom Cooper now produces virtually as a lot energy because the outgoing Cooper S. Sadly there are not any extra guide transmissions supplied, making the seven-speed dual-clutch automated customary gear.
I briefly drove a Cooper S Convertible and am pleased to report it made me giggle virtually instantly. Chopping the highest off of a automobile clearly compromises its structural integrity, and whereas some fashionable droptops are nonetheless impossibly stiff, the Mini’s construction nonetheless jiggles and shimmies a bit greater than anticipated. Its dealing with traits aren’t as responsive as its hardtop siblings, however you don’t purchase a convertible when you’re looking for unparalleled dynamic prowess. You purchase a convertible since you are prepared to sacrifice some practicality to be able to harvest some candy, typically elusive serotonin everytime you drop the highest. That prime is identical because the outgoing automobile, so it retains the dual-position retractable “sunroof” that solely opens the entrance part, or it folds fully away in 18 seconds at speeds underneath 19 mph.
In comparison with the outgoing Cooper S, the extra highly effective new automobile undoubtedly feels peppier, particularly when you’re already on the transfer. Attempt launching the brand new Cooper S from a standing cease and also you’ll discover traction points and fairly important torque steer, however when you’re transferring, the 221 pound-feet of torque really feel plentiful on this diminutive droptop. The chassis flex makes it really feel much less buttoned-down than hardtop Minis however nonetheless extra responsive than many vehicles on the highway, and fast steering retains the automobile’s agile demeanor with out feeling darty.
Is there any room within the trunk for groceries? If you happen to dwell alone, then sure! If it’s good to store for a couple of or two, you’ll possible need to fold down the again seats. Are these again seats spacious sufficient for the entire household? Not going, except your loved ones is vertically challenged. Is it a logical buy choice? Completely not, however it positive is fun. Placing the highest down in a Mini is a really distinctive expertise. For the reason that windshield is kind of vertical and much in entrance of the motive force, there’s a nearly unparalleled quantity of open air between the highest of the windshield and the motive force’s subject of view. The place different convertibles have sweeping styling that causes the highest of the windshield to mainly sit on the driver’s head, the Cooper Convertible feels extra open air than different open air vehicles, and I friggin’ find it irresistible. Plus, I match comfortably behind the wheel regardless of standing almost a foot taller than the typical man.
New Mini interiors are centered round a round OLED touchscreen that now replaces a bodily gauge cluster altogether, much like Tesla merchandise. Mercifully, Mini made the once-optional heads-up show customary gear on the brand new automobile, so consumers should get used to wanting on the plexiglass display screen with pace projections as an alternative of bodily gauges or perhaps a driver’s show. Frustratingly, Mini additionally did away with the outgoing automobile’s bodily local weather management knobs and most radio controls, in order that they too are all buried within the central display screen. This consolidation has resulted in a reasonably difficult infotainment ecosystem. It takes a minimal of two faucets to get to something you wish to change, even fan pace. There’s a small bar of bodily controls on the base of the middle stack that homes the gear selector toggle, the fake outdated timey key-shaped starter toggle, the drive mode selector and the quantity knob, however these are actually the naked minimal for analog controls.
The brand new inside design frees up some house for small merchandise storage up entrance, and there are many new options that seem on the Cooper for the primary time ever together with elective energy seats with a massaging driver’s seat, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise management with lane centering, and encompass view cameras. These techniques are all welcome additions, and work nicely. The up to date inside additionally has playful temper lighting and a pleasant use of colourful material trim
Count on to see the brand new 2025 Mini Cooper Convertible in showrooms early subsequent yr. The usual mannequin could have a base value of $34,945 together with $995 vacation spot, whereas Cooper S Convertibles will begin at $38,195. Each of these costs are literally barely decrease than the outgoing mannequin. There ain’t many reasonably priced convertibles round anymore; solely the magnificent Mazda Miata and the muscular Ford Mustang exist anyplace close to the marvelous Mini’s price ticket. If you would like 4 seats in your reasonably priced convertible, it’s both the Mini or the Mustang, and I do know which one I’m taking.
