The 2024 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
Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007 and has written more than 2,500 car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Alex is a correspondent for Edmunds and has also written for MotorTrend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Super Street, CNET, PRI Magazine, AutoWise and other publications. When he’s not writing about cars, he’s wrenching on his E30-generation BMW 325is, which he’s owned since college and plans to restore one day.
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
Manual transmission option returns for Cooper and Cooper S
New ocean-themed Seaside Edition
Part of the third Mini Convertible generation introduced for 2016
Overview
Few other new cars on the market do small and fun to drive like the Mini Cooper. Its fit-anywhere dimensions, tight steering and responsive engine options can spice up any commute. The Mini Convertible model adds another layer of enjoyment with a power-retractable soft top for open-air motoring. Of course, since it's a Mini, space for luggage and passengers is at a premium. There are also some quirky ergonomic and design elements that you'll either love or hate. It's not for everyone, but if a Mini Convertible does work for your lifestyle, your drive will rarely be boring.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works 2dr Convertible (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 $3.87 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Step inside a Mini and you'll know instantly that this is a car designed for drivers who like to go against the grain. The round AC vents, door handles and infotainment screen bezel are striking and help the interior stand out in an era in which streamlined dashboard and door panel designs dominate. That bezel around the standard 8.8-inch touchscreen display can also serve as a visual tachometer, illuminating in step with engine revs. For instrumentation, there's a freestanding circular screen. Another quirky feature is the toggle switches for engine start, traction control and other functions. The infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay integration, but Android Auto compatibility is curiously missing. See our test team's Expert Rating below for a full breakdown of the Mini convertible's cabin and tech features.
Competitors to consider
As a small convertible, the Mini enjoys minimal competition. The Mazda Miata might be fundamentally different as a rear-wheel-drive sports car, but it's also a compact convertible starting around $30,000, which makes it the closest competitor to the drop-top Mini. If you're looking at the top-trim Mini convertible John Cooper Works, you might cross-shop it with the similarly priced and much more powerful Ford Mustang convertible, which starts at just over $41,000 for the EcoBoost four-cylinder model.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe 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
The 2024 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.
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 $1,949 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; $1,949 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the John Cooper Works trim.
2024 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works pricing in Ashburn, VA
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, which is what we tested, gets 28 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Our time with the Mini backs that up. On our mixed-driving 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?
The Cooper S model is the sweet spot of the lineup. Its larger engine offers more power and improved responsiveness compared to the standard three-cylinder, and it better matches the car's playful character. The standard Signature trim is all you really need in terms of feature content. That bundle of features gets you synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, onboard navigation and more.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 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 2024 MINI Convertible?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 MINI Convertible:
Manual transmission option returns for Cooper and Cooper S
New ocean-themed Seaside Edition
Part of the third Mini Convertible generation introduced for 2016
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 2024 MINI Convertible a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 MINI Convertible is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 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 2024 Convertible is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 MINI Convertible?
The least-expensive 2024 MINI Convertible is the 2024 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $44,900.
Other versions include:
John Cooper Works 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $44,900
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 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Convertible models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Related 2024 MINI Convertible John Cooper Works info
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