Sixty-five years on, and the MINI Cooper remains an unmistakable icon. Now in its fifth generation, the convertible variant continues to impress with its open-top verve, hatchback agility, and distinctive charm, now enhanced with added road refinement, improved chassis rigidity, and a delightfully charming interior. 

You can read our reviews of the last generations of MINI convertibles – we weren’t shy about calling them below average. They weren’t great. The interiors rattled every time we hit a bump, the roofs appeared to be held together by string and glue, and the subsequent weight penalties meant that performance took a nosedive compared to the athletic and spritely hardtop coupes. But those concerns appear to have been short-lived, as this new 2025 model has benefited from a larger, stiffer, and more rigid chassis.

The Convertible is not as inherently compromised anymore and though casual drivers might not notice the disparity, we can boldly report that it no longer oscillates as heavily over road imperfections. The chassis doesn’t violently shake as it tries to grip onto its anchors, and the ride is still firm by hatchback means and isn’t as stable and composed as the coupe, but it’s a major improvement, and makes it difficult not to recommend the convertible as the go-to MINI, especially if its destined use is as a casual daily driver. The only real drawback is the trunk space (215L top up, 160L top down) and vestigial rear seats. Don’t expect to fit any reasonably sized adults back there unless they sit sideways with their legs hunched up. On the bright side, putting the fabric roof down offers unlimited headroom. It takes 18 seconds to lower at speeds up to 30 km/h, folding down behind the rear seats into the shape of a Golgi apparatus, which blocks the view out the rear but you can still spot the roof of tailgaters behind you. 

The interior received a major update, adopting a similar design to the Countryman. The 9.4-inch frameless circular OLED touchscreen sits prominently in the center and takes center stage. It offers the latest MINI infotainment system and is suitably lag-free and responsive to touch inputs. MINI invested a great deal of time and money in designing a colourful and inviting interface for each menu screen, from the air conditioning menu to the driving modes, making each button press a pleasant surprise. 

Like the Volvo EX30 without a driver’s instrument panel, we were displeased that all the main information was only displayed on the center touchscreen, forcing you to take your eyes off the road to access vital data and make touchscreen adjustments. There is a small head-up display but its size limits how much information can be shown at once. We accidentally knocked the signal stalk with our knees but didn’t realize it until we went to adjust the temp control and noticed the blinking green arrow.

Ergonomics was a large focus and we’re glad they did not resort to hidden fan vents with complicated toggles like they have in BMWs. To reduce clutter, it would have been a logical decision to implement volume control into the touchscreen, but there’s an actual volume dial here. Not so lucky for the temperature controls though, which are cumbersome to operate.

Contrary to what some might expect, the two-door MINI is more spacious inside than you might think. My six-foot self has no issues finding a snug driving position, whether the seat is reclined or when sitting straight up. There’s oodles of extra headroom and a generously sized footwell to stretch your legs. The cabin layout is more ergonomic than that of the previous model, with its intrusive armrest and awkwardly placed gear lever and handbrake. The armrest here isn’t adjustable but it’s skinny and doesn’t impede you from accessing the cupholders. 

The beige leather seats feel top quality with their gray and blue accent stitching, and wouldn’t look out of place on a more expensive BMW. The entire cabin is made with upscale materials, making the driver feel like they’ve spent more money than they actually have. We can’t overstate how helpful that cubby box in the center console is, especially for drivers who don’t carry around personal bags or have deep pockets, and tend to throw their wallet and keys everywhere. This box keeps them contained and from flying around the interior, and away from prying eyes. The only issue is that the box opens away from the driver, so passengers don’t have easy access to the contents. 

The vertically oriented wireless charging pad isn’t as convenient as the flat pad in the Countryman due to the tighter space requirements. However, a fabric strap keeps your phone in place, but it’s not very easy to put in and take out. We wish the roof operation button were located on the door panel rather than the headliner, making it easier and more accessible. But it’s nice to have the option of opening the roof halfway, sliding it back just like a standard sunroof without the full open-cabin commitment. But we haven’t noticed a significant improvement in acoustic insulation. Plenty of exterior wind and tire noise seeps into the cabin like you’ve accidentally left the rear window open. On the bright side, the strong and crisp Harmon Kardon system delivers crisp and sharp audio, effectively drowning out most unwanted noise, whether the roof is up or down. 

The MINI Convertible is available with three powertrains: Cooper C (161 hp, $42,990), Cooper S (201 hp, $46,990), and John Cooper Works (228 hp, $58,990). We tested the middle child, the S model, and enjoyed its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and punchy 221 lb-ft of torque. It will sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and while it won’t win any pink slip races, it’s enough to make this convertible feel spritely and light on its feet. Front-wheel drive and a lethargic and unpolished 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox are standard fare, one which we have complained about on other MINI and BMW reviews that utilize the same unit, but road comfort is improved and the convertible appears more stable and compliant over pockmarked roads. It still retains that sense of agility around corners when you flick the wheel, and the typical, sharp, low-speed manoeuvrability expected of those wearing the MINI badge. Oddly, there are no paddle shifters on this S model, leaving no way of rowing your own gears. 

It’s also been a while since we’ve felt this much torque steer. Give the MINI too much throttle when the front wheels aren’t gripped up and the steering wheel will tug left and right as it digs into the ground. It’s not until they claw in and start pulling that it finally settles down. Honda and Hyundai seemed to have solved their torque steer issues but we’re perplexed why MINI can’t, or haven’t.

Not a dealbreaker. What alternatives are available for under $50,000 that offer this much open-top character and esoteric charm? MINI plays in a small (forgive the pun) and rarefied field and stands out because of it. There’s the Mazda MX-5, Ford Mustang, and Jeep Wrangler soft-top if you’re trying to be creative, but they are also limited and compromised paths to achieve eternal sunshine. MINI, it is – now with fewer compromises and more quality than ever before. Don’t forget the sunscreen.

Specifications:

Model: 2025 MINI Cooper S Convertible
Paint Type: Sparkling Copper Grey
Base Price: $46,990
Price as Tested: $55,190
Length/Width/Height (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: Front engine, FWD
Observed Fuel Economy (L/100km): 8.6
Tires: Pirelli Cinturato P7; 215/40R18