Pros

• The curves and turns are more fun when they are handled well.
• Interior style that is sophisticated and stylish.
• With the different add-ons, you can make a lot of changes.

Cons

• The rides can be rough and stiff, especially with bigger tires.
• It costs more than most of its rivals.
• There is limited space for people and their bags.

How does the open car get its power? The John Cooper Works (JCW) trim level of the Mini Convertible was put through tests. Even though the JCW is said to be the best, it feels a lot like the S trim. It only took our test car 6 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, which is fast for a convertible in this class. The turbocharged engine in the Mini makes a lot of power, but it’s not as exciting to drive as the engine in the Mazda Miata.

We thought that fear stopping from 60 mph would get us farther than 119 feet on average. Most of the blame lies with the Mini JCW’s relatively thin tires, which also make it harder to control overall. Even though we like how agile it is, you can also get it in cheaper Mini Convertible types.

How cozy is the inside of the convertible? The John Cooper Works version of the Mini has the fast and stiff ride that was promised. It might shake on bumpy roads, but it’s never too rough. Our test car had adaptive springs, but we didn’t think the difference between Normal and Sport modes was big enough to make the extra cost worth it. People in the back may not like how the seatbacks are vertical and there is little shoulder room, but the front seats are firm and comfy.

While going fast on the highway, the top of the Mini lets in a lot of outside and road noise. It feels and looks well-made. We tested the noise level inside and found that it’s not much louder when the top is down than when it’s up. When going at a steady speed, the JCW’s center exhaust may drone for a long time, but it can also make some nice burbles and pops.

How is the state of the inside? The slightly longer doors are a comfortable weight and make it easy to get to the front seats, but they don’t make it much easier to get into the back seats. With the top down, it’s easier, but adults will probably be touching shoulders if they can fit back there. For a small car, the Mini has a lot of space inside, with plenty of head and armroom for both the driver and passenger. The settings for the Mini Convertible are easy to understand and use.

When the well-made folding cloth top is down, it makes it very hard to see out the back of the Mini and rests mostly on the back of it. The big windows and outside mirrors make it easy to see from the side when it’s up. The rearview mirror takes up a lot of room on the small windshield, making it hard to see what’s in front of you.

What’s wrong with the tech? Most of the Mini Convertible’s technology comes from BMW, which is its parent business. This is a good thing because the entertainment system is basically a BMW with a Mini-style user interface. It is easy to use and looks more high-end than some of its competitors. Navigation and voice tools work well and have come in handy sometimes. The Mini doesn’t have Android Auto, which is strange considering most of its competitors do. However, it does come with a wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connection. The Harman Kardon sound system in our test car was strong enough to make the sound clear even though the inside was very noisy.

When it works well, adaptive cruise control keeps the space between cars close. None of the other systems went off or triggered fake alarms. This car should be fun to drive, though, so we were let down by how conservatively the electronic stability control was set up. To be able to turn it off is a positive feature.

What’s going on with storage? It’s no surprise that the Mini Convertible isn’t the most useful car. It’s hard to get to the trunk, which can only hold 7.6 cubic feet. The Mazda Miata’s small trunk (4.6 cubic feet) is surprisingly useful and easy to use.

The cubby in front of the cupholders and the cupholders themselves are big enough for one person’s small things. There is a little more space inside, though. If you choose wireless charging, most of the storage room in your center armrest will be lost. There are anchors for child seats in the back seat, but only the smallest booster chairs should fit easily.

How much fuel does it use? The John Cooper Works Convertible we drove will get 28 mpg on the highway and in the city, according to the EPA. Based on our experience with the Mini, this makes sense. The drop-top Mini got a reasonable 29.4 mpg on our mixed-driving test route, even when we pushed it hard. It’s important to know that Mini says the JCW should use expensive fuel.

Is buying the convertible worth it? When it comes to John Cooper Works style, we’re more likely to say no. Our test car costs $46,250, which includes shipping fees. That’s at least $10,000 more than a Mazda Miata with similar features and about the same as a Mustang GT convertible. The Mini looks fancier than other convertibles because it is well-built, has few gaps between panels, and is made of premium materials. But Minis that cost less, like the Cooper S, is almost as well-built and useful.

It comes with a standard warranty that covers the engine and bumpers to bumper for four years and 50,000 miles, which is about average for the class. Mini, on the other hand, gives you free maintenance for three years and roadside help for four years, with no limits on how far you can drive.

Driving the Mini Convertible will be fun and easy. But the John Cooper Works model has few extras over the regular Mini. Even though having more power is helpful, the JCW could be faster. Even though it’s quick to drive, it doesn’t feel more interesting than a Cooper S model.

It’s easy to remember how much fun this little car will be once you’re out of the daily traffic jam, thanks to its unique looks and attention to detail. In the JCW, though, it feels a little too heavy sometimes. We all like driving a Mini, but we’d rather have one that’s not as fancy and doesn’t cost as much.

The Cooper S type is in the middle of the group. The bigger engine has more power and response than the normal three-cylinder, which makes it better for the fun nature of the car. After that, you only need the Signature trim, which comes as standard now. This feature package adds extras like heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, navigation built in, and synthetic leather seating.

Different types of MINI convertibles

The 2024 Mini Convertible is a small drop-top with three different trim options: Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works, or JCW. The engine, which is behind the hood, makes each car different. Two sub-trims show the number of features each car has: Signature and Iconic.