Name: Mini Convertible (2016 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mini Convertible
Rating: 75

Summary

The Mini Convertible is a small cabriolet based on the Mini hatch. The current model is the third generation of the resurrected Mini, launched in early 2016 and facelifted a couple of times, most recently in early 2021. Most models are built here in the UK.

The Convertible range consists of the Cooper and Cooper S models, which are both covered here, and the high-performance John Cooper Works model. We’re building a separate page for the JCW version, so check back soon.

There are few direct rivals for the Mini Convertible, as other similar-sized four-seater cabriolets have largely disappeared from the marketplace. The Mazda MX-5 has similar price and performance, but is a two-seat roadster with even less practicality, while other four-seaters are significantly larger and more expensive.

The Mini Convertible has received positive reviews from across the UK motoring media, although the top-spec Cooper S tends to score more poorly than the lower-level models. It has been particularly praised for its driving experience and interior quality. The only major criticisms relate to its limited practicality and harsh ride on Cooper S models.

As of May 2022, the Mini Convertible has an Expert Rating of 75%, based on 21 different reviews published by the UK media.

The Car Expert Best of British horizontal banner

Mini Convertible highlights

Fun to drive
Impressive interior trim
Sensible running costs
Agile handling
More boot space than regular Mini

Mini Convertible lowlights

Not very practical day-to-day
Rigid ride comfort
Unjustifiably more expensive than regular Mini

Key specifications

Body style: Small convertible
Engines: petrol
Price: From £21,305 on-road

Launched: Spring 2016
Last updated: Winter 2020/21
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Mini Convertible is our favourite small rag-top thanks to its practicality, fun and premium feel.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S
Score: 8 / 10
“Judged on its merits as a small and fun drop-top, the Mini Cooper S Convertible hits the sweet spot. It boasts an excellent blend of performance and value. This isn’t the particular Mini Convertible we’d choose, however – the regular Cooper version serves up very nearly as much fun, is more affordable and is cheaper to run. It’s where our money would go.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Cooper
Score: 8 / 10
“Part of the fun of a convertible is hearing the engine noise a little more, but the Cooper is a little disappointing here. Since the Cooper S can sound a bit over-the-top with its poppy exhaust, we had high hopes for the thrumming three-cylinder, but it’s very quiet and is drowned out by wind noise. The fluttering turbo wastegate when you lift off is fun, though.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Cooper S
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s quiet on the move with the roof up and, should the weather change, the canvas top can be lowered at speeds of less than 18mph. Do that and you can check how long you’ve had the roof down in the infotainment system with a counter than measures the number of hours the roof has been lowered – should you really want to.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mini Convertible delivers everything a soft-top buyer could want. It’s stylish and bursting with personality, has a classy cabin and cool tech features. It’s also one of the cheapest drop-tops around, and great fun to drive.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“A zippy, alert-feeling, intelligently equipped three-door Cooper S has long been Autocar’s nominated sweet spot in the Mini range, but the updated Mini Convertible is proof that a cabrio can be just as sweet in its own summer-enriching, life-affirming way.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Cooper S
Score: 7 / 10
“If a droptop car that’s fun to drive is what you’re after, there are very few reasons not to buy one. With the twin-clutch gearbox, the Mini Cooper S Convertible certainly isn’t cheap – you’ll pick up a top spec Mazda MX-5 for the same money – but to call it poor value for money would be a stretch.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S
Score: 6 / 10
“There’s much to like about the Mini Convertible, but one critical downside of the Cooper S is the poor ride quality and the tremors you feel from the topless body. It adds a harshness to the low-speed driving experience that simply feels unnecessary.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Although it may not be quite as refined or as go-kart-like to drive as the Hatch, the Mini Convertible still manages to be a decent car to drive – especially those wanting a city car to use with the roof down.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“This Mini Convertible is the best yet, delivering the driving fun and style of the hatchback with the added thrill of top-down motoring.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mini Convertible takes the standard hard-top’s plush cabin and adds infinite headroom – with the roof down, anyway – but sadly it’s even less practical and quite a lot more expensive…”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Drop-top image may not be to all tastes, but Mini’s latest convertible is as good to drive as the hatch.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“There will be many occasions when you’ll be overjoyed you chose the Mini Convertible over the regular tin-top version. Crucially, there will be few occasions when you regret the decision. It’s good with the roof up and great with the roof down, with space for four and an image that’s a match for cars costing twice as much.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you want real fun then a Mazda MX-5 is a better choice of soft top, but the Mini Convertible is a more practical choice that’s still enjoyable. It’s a true convertible, too, unlike the Fiat 500C and the DS 3 Cabriolet, plus there are dozens of customisation options and details to make it your own. “
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
“All in all, the little Mini can get seriously expensive but even then, it’s hard not to recommend it over its opposition. Only a Mazda MX-5 beats the MINI for thrills behind the wheel but since that car is strictly two-seater most will rule it out on practicality grounds alone.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Mini Convertible is one of a few four-seat cars with a proper folding soft-top, unlike its glorified-sunroofed rivals from Fiat and DS. By no means is it a proper four-seater, but it does feel every inch the Mini with a darty driving experience that hasn’t become too compromised in losing its roof.”
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Cooper
Score: 8 / 10
“Feel the joy of the wind playing havoc with your hair”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S
Score: 6 / 10
“Can feel a bit wobbly over harsh surfaces, and while the boot is bigger than before access is still tricky. Great fun on a smooth road, though, and with more than enough style to appeal to its target audience.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S
“When the roof’s open, it’s a bit of a rucksack on the car’s tail, which reduces the rear-view mirror to nothing more than an ornament. But air-flow management is fine: at motorway speeds there’s not much buffeting, at least in the front seats. That’s even without the wind blocker net.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mini Convertible isn’t as rewarding to drive as its hatchback sibling, but its open-air exuberance makes up for that fact. You also get a terrific interior and sensible running costs, while strong residuals mean you can buy with your head as well as your heart.”
Read review

Which?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“There’s no other car quite like the Mini Convertible. Full of character, it feels sporty to drive and has a unique cabin ambience. The electric soft-top is great to use but practicality very much takes a back seat.” Rated a BEST BUY.
Read review

Safety rating

No safety rating

As of May 2022, the Mini Convertible has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. The three-door Mini hatch was tested back in 2014 and scored a four-star rating, but this score does not apply to the Mini Convertible as the vehicle structure has been significantly altered by removing the roof.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.5-litre petrol automatic

Overall score: 2.5 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 4.2 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 4.6 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.8 / 10

The Mini Convertible has not been tested by Green NCAP. However, its economy and emissions will be broadly similar to the Mini hatch.

The Mini Cooper 1.5-litre petrol automatic hatch received a 2.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021. We are currently updating our Euro NCAP database, as the organisation changed its rating system and we need to change our database accordingly to be able to display the new scores.

Green NCAP said: “The Mini hatch is tested here in its latest form and with the three-cylinder turbocharged 1.5 litre petrol engine. The car has a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) and a three-way catalyst and, on the whole, these work well to curb pollutant emissions.

“NO_x is especially well controlled in all tests and the GPF helps to keep particulate number down. Ammonia, NH₃, is the weak point and in the high-load highway test emissions of this unregulated greenhouse gas are high enough to negate the positive scores gained for the good control of other pollutants. Energy efficiency is unexceptional. N₂O and CH₄ are well controlled but emissions of CO₂ result in modest scores in the tests.

“Overall, the car’s indexes are consistent in all three areas of assessment and lead to a 2½ star rating.

This rating only applies to the 1.5-litre petrol automatic version of the Mini hatch, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range.

Reliability rating

The Mini Convertible has a below-average reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This applies to all three generations of the Mini Convertible, not just the current model. This is worth bearing in mind if you are planning to buy a used car.

The good news is that the most common problems are relatively inexpensive, according to the claims data. The most expensive problems – gearbox issues, shown in red – can be crippingly expensive with an average repair cost of £2,600, but fortunately they are rare.