When it comes to Mini, “fun-to-drive” is an essential ingredient, and few products the British automaker has offered over the years has had as much of a fun factor as the little Mini Cooper Convertible. Here’s the Headlight.News review.
Don’t look now, but the 2025 Mini Cooper droptop is back, and the new convertible was well worth the wait.
It’s got a lot going for it, starting with a surprisingly affordable price of $34,945 — including destination charges That makes it the second least-expensive convertible sold in the United States. Only the Mazda Miata costs less.
That money gets a freshened Mini Cooper for 2025, as Mini debuts with its fourth Cooper since its initial BMW update around the turn of the century. It also brings back the beloved Openometer.
Updated looks
2025 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible
The front end has been cleaned up, but its bulldog stance, Lilliputian size and enduring cuteness remain. The same can be said of its convertible top, which worked so well, there was no need to change it. And yes, you can still get one with a Union Jack on it.
Inside, the 1959 Mini served as inspiration as a 9.4-inch round touchscreen resides where the original’s speedometer was paced. Below it, also like the original, is a row of buttons, while beside it, where the original had a strap that you could grab, there’s a flush mounted strap that you can’t. Uniquely, the Mini Cooper Convertible’s “Openometer” returns, which tracks how long the car is driven with the top-down. The original version used a mechanical counter to clock the time you spent driving al fresco. The new ragtop turns to a digital chronometer.
Room is good up front and briefly tolerable in back. The trunk is fairly small as well, at 9 cubic feet, but if you need more space, get a Countryman. A nice feature is the ability to lift the rearmost part of the top when you need to access cargo. As before, the roof can fold at speeds up to 19 mph. and folds partially in Sunroof configuration or fully down. When stowed, wind management is excellent, proving more tolerable than when partially open.
Revised powertrains
John Cooper Works models get special instrument panel trim
The three-banger found under the bonnet of previous Coopers has been replaced by a more-refined 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 161 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Standard in Base and Oxford trim, it boasts a 7.9-second 0-60 mph time.
A better choice is the Mini S, which gets the same mill, but tuned for 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It reduces 0-60 mph times to 6.7 seconds.
But the king of the hill remains the John Cooper Works (JCW) convertible, which gets the same engine, but extensively modified to deliver 228 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque and further reducing 0-60 mph runs to a brisk 5.9 seconds. A seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission is standard, with a modified rendition for JCW dropheads.
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Driving Impressions
Unfortunately, Mini revealed its newest Coopers in the Savannah lowcountry, which doesn’t make for the most dynamic driving.
How could you deny such an incredible face?
Even so, the difference between the Cooper S and John Cooper Works cabriolet are readily apparent. For example, if you want shift paddles with you Cooper, they are only offered on the JCW. Then there’s the JCW’s extra ponies, revised gearbox, tighter suspension and boost mode, which boosts power 10 percent for ten seconds. It feels stronger than that, and will make it impossible for you to not grin. That said, the S isn’t a bad consolation of the JCW is financially out of reach. We can’t comment on the base model powertrain, as it wasn’t available to drive.
Regardless of model, this automotive cumquat generates wind-in-your-hair fun, driving pleasure, envious stares and miles of smiles, something few vehicles of any kind can. And at less than $50,000, it’s more affordable than you’d expect.
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