2023 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works Classic

MINI Convertible John Cooper Works Exterior Shown

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The 2023 Mini Convertible is nearly as much fun to drive as its Mini Hardtop sibling. It also offers a high-quality and stylish interior and distinctive styling with plenty of options for customization. The John Cooper Works version is somewhat of a disappointment, however.Read full review

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$33,779

2023 MINI Convertible Review

byDan Frio^{Correspondent
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

Excellent handling makes it fun in turns and curves
Classy and upscale-looking interior
Available add-ons offer high degree of personalization

Cons

The ride quality can be stiff and rough, especially with larger tires
More expensive than most rivals
Limited passenger and cargo space

What's new

Apple CarPlay now a standard feature
Adaptive cruise control now a stand-alone option
Resolute Edition mixes green, bronze, and checkered elements for a unique look
Part of the third Mini Convertible generation introduced for 2016

Overview

The open-air version of Mini's iconic hardtop two-door, the 2023 Mini Convertible gets a handful of enhancements that make it a solid pick for sunny season motoring. A thorough update last year infused the front and rear ends with more fluid styling, while new tech included a larger touchscreen and digital driver display. This year, adaptive cruise control emerges as a stand-alone option (previously only available bundled in a package) and Apple CarPlay finally becomes a standard feature (sorry, Android users, still no Android Auto support). A new Resolute Edition blends bronze styling accents on a dark green exterior, with a checkered plaid upholstery design.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works Classic 2dr Convertible w/Prod. End 08/22 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.77 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$168/mo

$153/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

As with last year's updates, none of the 2023 model's changes make the Mini any more competitive with its peers. It remains one of the pricier picks in a class that includes the agile Mazda Miata and larger, more powerful Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro drop-tops. The Miata is consistently fun on a winding road, but it only offers two seats, while the Ford and Mustang, well, they're so common the Mini might look "special" by comparison. Part of the Mini Convertible's appeal lies in the myriad ways you can personalize it with color, trim and wheel choices, even at the expense of some performance.

Of note: Mini recently announced the suspension of its manual-transmission models, citing supply chain challenges. The base trim Classic is also being suspended, making the Signature trim the new base level. Mini says these changes are temporary but offers no timeline for their return.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8/10

How does the Convertible drive? We tested the Mini Convertible in the John Cooper Works (JCW) trim. The JCW should be the top of the heap, but it doesn't feel much more special than the S trim. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph took 6 seconds in our test car, which is quick for a convertible in this class. The Mini's turbocharged engine makes plenty of torque but lacks the fun, high-revving character of the Mazda Miata's engine.

Panic braking from 60 mph yielded a best result of 119 feet, which is an average distance; we expected better. Most of the blame falls on the Mini JCW's somewhat narrow tires, which also limit its outright handling ability. We love its nimbleness, but less expensive Mini Convertible trims give you that as well.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the Convertible? The expected stiff and sporty ride of a Mini is certainly present with the John Cooper Works version. While it's never unduly harsh, it can be jittery over less than smooth pavement. Our test car came with optional adaptive dampers, but we didn't feel there was enough of a difference between the Normal and Sport modes to warrant the extra expense. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, but rear passengers will likely complain about the vertical seatbacks and lack of shoulder room.

The Mini's top looks and feels well constructed, but it lets in a lot of ambient noise and road noise when you're driving at highway speeds. In fact, when we tested interior noise levels, we found it's barely louder with the top down than when it's up. The JCW's center exhaust produces some nice burbles and pops but can drone over extended periods of driving at a constant speed.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The somewhat long doors have a nice weight and provide ample access to the front seats but don't make it any easier to get into the back seats. If adults can squeeze in back there — it's somewhat easier with the top down — they'll likely be touching shoulders. The driver and passenger will have plenty of shoulder room and a surplus of headroom, making the compact Mini feel reasonably spacious. The Mini Convertible's controls are fairly easy to understand and use.

The well-constructed folding cloth top sits more or less on the back of the Mini and, when down, blocks your rear visibility quite a bit. When it's up, there's decent visibility to the sides thanks to the tall windows and large outside mirrors. Visibility out of the front is compromised because the rearview mirror takes up a lot of space on the narrow windshield.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Save as much as $5,971 with Edmunds ^{Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $5,971 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the John Cooper Works Classic trim.}

2023 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works Classic pricing in Ashburn, VA

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Build & Price

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? A lot of the Mini Convertible's tech is lifted straight from parent company BMW. This isn't a bad thing as the infotainment system is basically BMW's with a colorful Mini-themed interface. It's easy to navigate and looks a bit more premium than some rivals. Navigation and voice controls work well and proved genuinely helpful in certain situations. Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration is standard, but the lack of Android Auto is surprising given it's in most of the Mini's rivals. Our test car's Harman Kardon audio system was strong enough to deliver good-quality sound over the elevated levels of interior noise.

The adaptive cruise control works well and maintains tight gaps in traffic. We experienced no false alarms or overreactions from any of the other systems. But we were somewhat disappointed with the conservative tuning of the electronic stability control, especially on a car that's supposed to be fun to drive. Thankfully, you can disable it.

Storage

5.5/10

How’s the storage? It should come as no surprise that the Mini Convertible is not the most practical car. Its 7.6-cubic-foot trunk is small and not easily accessible. Ironically, the Mazda Miata's smaller trunk (4.6 cubic feet) is more practical and easier to use.

Interior storage is slightly better, and there's enough space for one person's small items in the cubby in front of the cupholders and the cupholders themselves. If you spring for the wireless charging, you will lose most of your center armrest storage. Child seat anchors are provided in the back seat, but only the smallest booster seats are likely to fit without a lot of fuss.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the John Cooper Works Convertible will get 28 mpg combined (24 city/33 highway) and our time with the Mini backs that up. Over our 115-mile evaluation route the drop-top Mini returned a solid 29.4 mpg with some fairly enthusiastic driving thrown in, just because. It should be noted that Mini recommends premium gasoline for the JCW.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Convertible a good value? In its John Cooper Works trim, we're inclined to say no. Our test car stickered at $46,250 (including destination fees), which puts it at nearly the same price as a Mustang GT convertible and at least $10K more than a similarly equipped Mazda Miata. The Mini is well built, with tight panel gaps and good-quality materials, and feels more luxurious than other convertibles. But less expensive versions of the Mini, such as the Cooper S, are just as well built and perform nearly as well.

Standard warranty coverage is about average for the class, with four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. But Mini also offers four years of roadside assistance with unlimited mileage and three years of free maintenance.

Wildcard

7.5/10

You're effectively guaranteed a fun and nimble driving experience in the Mini Convertible. But the John Cooper Works trim doesn't offer much beyond what you'd get from a regular Mini. The extra power is nice, but the JCW isn't especially fast. And while it does have nimble handling, it doesn't feel any more engaging than a Cooper S model.

The quirky styling and detail touches that have come to define Mini are there and serve as a nice visual reminder of how fun this little car will be once you're out of the weekday traffic jam. But at times it feels like it's been laid on a little thick in the JCW. We're all for the Mini driving experience, but we'd prefer ours in a more basic and less expensive spec.

Which Convertible does Edmunds recommend?

We think it's worth springing for the Cooper S. The larger engine suits the car's personality, making it snappier and more responsive than the base three-cylinder. The Signature trim (the default base trim as of this writing) delivers the best mix of value and features, including heated front seats and keyless entry, and opens up options such as adaptive dampers and a premium audio system.

Compare 2023 MINI Convertible trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

MINI Convertible models

The 2023 Mini Convertible is a small drop-top available in three trim levels: Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works (also called JCW). They're differentiated by the engine under the hood. There are also two subtrims — Signature and Iconic — that denote the amount of features on each vehicle.

The Cooper is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (134 horsepower, 162 lb-ft of torque), while the Cooper S gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (189 hp, 206 lb-ft). Both models come standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. (Production of manual-transmission models has been temporarily halted.) The John Cooper Works upgrades the 2.0-liter engine (228 hp, 235 lb-ft) and equips the car with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Note: Mini has temporarily discontinued the base trim, the Classic, due to supply chain issues. No timeline had been given regarding its return at the time of this review. We've included the listing of the Classic trim (based on the 2022 car) for reference purposes, should it be resurrected from the supply-chain ashes. See the Signature's feature set below for what's currently available as the "base" Mini Convertible.

Cooper
In its standard Classic form, the Convertible Cooper comes with:

15-inch alloy wheels
All-season tires
LED headlights
Automatic wipers
Heated mirrors
Ambient cabin lighting
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Height-adjustable front seats
Imitation leather upholstery
8.8-inch touchscreen
Six-speaker audio system
Satellite radio
Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)

Cooper S
Every Cooper S comes with the above equipment, plus the more powerful engine and:

16-inch wheels
Choice of all-season or summer performance tires
Sport seats

John Cooper Works
The John Cooper Works includes a more powerful version of the four-cylinder engine, plus:

17-inch wheels
Performance sport seats
Imitation suede/cloth combination upholstery

Mini also offers a wide array of subtrims and optional packages. Highlights include:

Signature trim

Larger wheels available at all trim levels as a no-cost option
Adaptive suspension dampers or non-adjustable sport suspension (JCW only)
Wind deflector
Keyless entry
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Heated front seats
Ambient cabin lighting

Iconic trim

Contents of the Signature trim
Leather upholstery
Heated steering wheel
Power-folding mirrors
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Navigation
Wireless charging pad
12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (limited availability due to microchip shortage)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on a screen above the instrument panel)

Many of the features in the Iconic trim are available for the Signature as part of the Premium and Touchscreen Navigation packages. Other packages include:

Driver Assistance package

Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on a screen above the instrument panel)

Sidewalk package

Heated steering wheel
Power-folding mirrors
Keyless entry
Wind deflector
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Heated front seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (limited availability)

Sidewalk Edition (Cooper S)

17-inch wheels
Unique exterior treatments (stripes, soft top)
Power-folding mirrors
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Keyless entry
Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Gray leather upholstery
Heated front seats
Ambient cabin lighting
Navigation system
12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (limited availability)
Head-up display

Resolute Edition (Cooper S)

18-inch wheels
Unique bronze exterior treatments (stripes, soft top)
Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel
Ambient cabin lighting
Imitation leather/cloth combination upholstery

Some of the above items are available as stand-alone options. Adaptive dampers can be added to the Cooper S, and adaptive cruise control can be added to the Cooper S and JCW models. The Cooper S and JCW models are also available with the more comfort-oriented seats from the Cooper.

MINI Convertible Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.8

16 reviews

5(88%)

4(6%)

3(6%)

2(0%)

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2023 MINI Convertible Features & Specs

Type:

John Cooper Works Classic

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$38,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$168/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	5.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

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MINI Convertible vs. MINI Hardtop 2 Door

Chances are if you're considering the Mini Convertible, your mind is already made up. But if that open-sky driving is less of a priority than space for luggage, groceries or sundry cargo, consider the Hardtop. It offers more cargo space than the Convertible, and the solid roof structure eliminates the dash and cabin shake that often plagues convertibles on rough roads. The Hardtop also costs less.

Compare MINI Convertible & MINI Hardtop 2 Door features

MINI Convertible vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Mini Convertible is a front-wheel-drive drop-top with a premium-looking interior. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is also a drop-top with a premium interior, although one driven by its rear wheels, and its smaller size and confident dynamics make it livelier than the Mini. The Mazda prioritizes driving enjoyment over maximum refinement. If you plan for boulevard cruising, get the Mini. If you like deserted, curvy roads, get the Miata.

Compare MINI Convertible & Mazda MX-5 Miata features

MINI Convertible vs. Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is considerably larger than the Mini, with a more spacious back seat and trunk. It also offers a variety of engines, ranging from a sprightly turbocharged four-cylinder to a throaty V8. The Mustang is sportier and more practical than the Mini Convertible, but it's also more brash and arguably not as distinct as the Mini.

Compare MINI Convertible & Ford Mustang features

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Convertible safety features:

Parking Assistant: Finds an available parallel parking spot and guides the Mini into the space with minimal driver input.
Front and Rear Park Distance Control: Sounds an alert as the Mini approaches an object in front of or behind it.
Active Driving Assistant: Equips the vehicle with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking to help avoid accidents and lessen the severity of a crash.

FAQ

Is the MINI Convertible a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Convertible both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.2 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Convertible has 5.2 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a MINI Convertible. Learn more

What's new in the 2023 MINI Convertible?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 MINI Convertible:

Apple CarPlay now a standard feature
Adaptive cruise control now a stand-alone option
Resolute Edition mixes green, bronze, and checkered elements for a unique look
Part of the third Mini Convertible generation introduced for 2016

Learn more

Is the MINI Convertible reliable?

To determine whether the MINI Convertible is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Convertible. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Convertible's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2023 MINI Convertible a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 MINI Convertible is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Convertible and gave it a 7.2 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Convertible is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2023 MINI Convertible?

The least-expensive 2023 MINI Convertible is the 2023 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works Classic 2dr Convertible w/Prod. End 08/22 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $38,900.

Other versions include:

John Cooper Works Classic 2dr Convertible w/Prod. End 08/22 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $38,900

Learn more

What are the different models of MINI Convertible?

If you're interested in the MINI Convertible, the next question is, which Convertible model is right for you? Convertible variants include John Cooper Works Classic 2dr Convertible w/Prod. End 08/22 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Convertible models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2023 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works Classic

Pricing

2023 MINI Convertible Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Save as much as $5,971 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $5,971 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the John Cooper Works Classic trim.

Edmunds suggests you pay

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Convertible does Edmunds recommend?

MINI Convertible models

MINI Convertible Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

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2023 MINI Convertible Features & Specs

Compare the MINI Convertible

MINI Convertible vs. MINI Hardtop 2 Door

MINI Convertible vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata

MINI Convertible vs. Ford Mustang

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Convertible safety features:

FAQ

Is the MINI Convertible a good car?

What's new in the 2023 MINI Convertible?

Is the MINI Convertible reliable?

Is the 2023 MINI Convertible a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2023 MINI Convertible?

What are the different models of MINI Convertible?

Related 2023 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works Classic info

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Save as much as $5,971 with Edmunds ^{Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $5,971 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the John Cooper Works Classic trim.}