Mini Convertible cars

The style of the car

The Mini Convertible gives you the same retro style as the Mini Hatch but adds the option of wind-in-the-hair fun. The top is made from hard-wearing black fabric and folds electrically. High-performance models have a sportier look. With so many options available when new - sporty bodywork add-ons, different wheels and stripes on the bonnet  you’re unlikely to find two exactly the same. The interior looks just as good as the exterior, with a blend of retro details and modern tech.

How it drives

Most Minis are fun to drive and the Convertible certainly is. You feel even more connected to the world outside and to the car itself with the roof down but if you keep the windows up there’s not much buffeting inside. The roof is well insulated, and with the top in place the interior is nearly as quiet as in the Mini Hatch, perfectly comfortable on long motorway journeys. The Mini’s compact size and light steering make town driving easy, although the view behind is a bit restricted whether the roof is up or down. All models have parking sensors and are available with an automatic gearbox. You have a choice of petrol engines, with the 1.5-litre engine giving nippy acceleration and the 2.0-litre engines making the car really fast.

The interior

The Mini Convertible is a small convertible with two doors and four seats and is about the same size as the Fiat 500C and DS 3 Cabrio. The interior feels upmarket, especially in models with leather seats. The front seats have lots of space for all but the tallest people. Adults will just about fit in the back seats but won’t want to be there for long. There are Isofix mounts for two child seats. The windows are small, which can make the interior seem dark, but that’s not a problem when you fold down the roof. You can fit a couple of medium-size soft bags in the small boot and create a longer load space by folding down the back seats. All Mini Convertibles come with air con, DAB radio and rear parking sensors. High-spec models have sat nav and cruise control.

Running costs and reliability

Mini is a premium brand so the Convertible costs a bit more to buy than some rivals but its chic style and upmarket feel may be worth it for you. Both the 1.5 and 2.0 engines return 40-50mpg, according to official figures. Road tax costs are low and insurance costs should be reasonable. Mini’s reliability record is generally very good and the Convertible has no particular issues. Safety experts Euro NCAP haven’t tested the Mini Convertible, but the Hatch scored four out of five stars.

How it compares with similar cars

As a small, ‘full’ open top car with four seats, the Mini Convertible is in a class of one. Its main rivals are the DS 3 Cabrio, Fiat 500C and Mazda MX-5. The DS and Fiat are the same size as the Mini, but they’re not ‘full’ open top cars like the Mini. Rather they have a large fabric sunroof that slides back behind the back seats. The DS has back seats that are more comfortable for adults than the Mini’s, so it’s a bit more practical. The Fiat is more affordable to buy. The Mazda is more fun to drive than the Mini but it’s a two-seat sports car that’s not as easy to live with everyday.