X

New generation Mini Cooper S Convertible retains style, fun

With a dearth of four-seater convertibles, it is very fortunate that the Mini not only looks good, but offers a fun driving experience.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
2016minicoopersconvertible-053.jpg
1 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

Two years after the launch of the Mini's latest platform for its hardtop, the convertible version hits the streets in Cooper and Cooper S trim.

2016minicoopersconvertible-052.jpg
2 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

The Mini Cooper S Convertible remains a front-wheel-drive car with a power-folding cloth top, and one of the few four-seat convertibles you can find.

2016minicoopersconvertible-050.jpg
3 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

With an extra five inches of length over previous generations, the new Mini Convertible feels less go-karty and more grown-up.

2016minicoopersconvertible-058.jpg
4 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

With its Sport package, the Cooper S Convertible gets dynamic dampers, keeping the car more stable in hard cornering.

2016minicoopersconvertible-055.jpg
5 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

Under the hood, the Cooper S Convertible features a 2-liter engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger, pushing out 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque and designed to minimize turbo-lag.

2016minicoopersconvertible-051.jpg
6 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

A six speed manual transmission comes standard, with an option for six speed automatic.

2016minicoopersconvertible-057.jpg
7 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

Although not a strong sports car, the Mini Cooper S Convertible remains fun to drive, especially with the tremendous upward view offered by the convertible top.

2016minicoopersconvertible-013.jpg
8 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

This top does compromise sight lines, creating a big blind spot when up and cutting off the lower half of the rear view when down.

2016minicoopersconvertible-054.jpg
9 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

This Cooper S Convertible comes with LED headlights that point into turns.

2016minicoopersconvertible-015.jpg
10 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

The Cooper S Convertible prices out at $4,000 more than the Cooper Convertible, and although the S model offers much more power, the standard Cooper Convertible should satisfy most buyers.

2016minicoopersconvertible-016.jpg
11 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

Pack light, as the Cooper S Convertible only has 5.7 cubic feet of storage with the top down, 7.6 cubic feet with the top up.

2016minicoopersconvertible-017.jpg
12 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

The Mini's interior looks very nice with the Premium package and Satellite Grey interior.

2016minicoopersconvertible-018.jpg
13 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

The rear seats are compact, but usable.

2016minicoopersconvertible-019.jpg
14 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

The Mini calls this dashboard trim Dark Cottonwood.

2016minicoopersconvertible-020.jpg
15 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

The big, round frame in the center of the dashboard used to house a speedometer, but that has migrated to the driver instrument cluster.

2016minicoopersconvertible-021.jpg
16 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

Swoopy styling gives the door interiors a unique look.

2016minicoopersconvertible-022.jpg
17 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

The Harman Kardon audio option is worthwhile for music lovers.

2016minicoopersconvertible-024.jpg
18 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

The steering stiffens up with the car's Sport mode.

2016minicoopersconvertible-025.jpg
19 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

You can choose Green or Sport modes with a switch at the bottom of the shift lever.

2016minicoopersconvertible-026.jpg
20 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

This dial and button setup controls the infotainment system.

2016minicoopersconvertible-027.jpg
21 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-028.jpg
22 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-029.jpg
23 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-030.jpg
24 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-031.jpg
25 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-032.jpg
26 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-033.jpg
27 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-034.jpg
28 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-036.jpg
29 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-037.jpg
30 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-038.jpg
31 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-039.jpg
32 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-040.jpg
33 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-041.jpg
34 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-007.jpg
35 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-002.jpg
36 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-006.jpg
37 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-009.jpg
38 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-012.jpg
39 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-011.jpg
40 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow
2016minicoopersconvertible-010.jpg
41 of 41 Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos