There’s an all-new MINI for 2025, and we’ve already had a great time with the 4-door S model. But what’s more fun than a MINI? How about a MINI convertible? So, when we were offered the all-new convertible and a performance John Cooper Works (JCW) model on top of that – we jumped at the opportunity!

Fun Size

The new convertible model builds off the familiar 3-door, so much of the things we love about the new design carry over here.

It starts with the iconic round headlights with illuminated rings that create a familiar face day or night. A large octagonal grille adds a sporty look. Our tester was the performance-oriented JCW model, so it gets an even more aggressive grille, with a cool subtle John Cooper Works badge.

With the top up, the profile is very similar to the 3-door hatchback, and with short overhangs front and rear, and a high shoulder line giving it a stubby, sporty look. The top is a high-quality piece and looks even cooler with the available grey Union Jack designed into it.

Drop the top, and this is a MINI like no other, and it enhances the vehicles small dimensions, while promising a great drive. More on that in a bit. Finishing off the side view are optional 18-inch JCW Lap Spoke wheels that are just gorgeous and add just enough bling to catch the eye.

The rear view is more MINI goodness with vertical taillights that show off a cool arrow-like pattern and a black horizontal bar that gives an added feeling of width. As a JCW model, our tester also had a unique aero-design lower bumper with a cheese-grater design that looks extra cool. Finishing off our presentation was the cool Icy Sunshine Blue metallic paint that really pops and suits the convertible’s outgoing character.

The woven fabric soft top is available in black and optional with a grey Union Jack, a nod to the brand’s British origins.

Room for Two

Inside is as unique and fun as the outside.

MINI calls their new interior design language “Charismatic Simplicity” and we’d agree that works. Compared to previous models, the look is more minimalist, and that makes the space look larger and more inviting.

Almost everything is handled by an industry-first, hi-res OLED touchscreen display that’s huge and occupies the center of the dashboard.

You can toggle through different MINI “Experience Modes” from a performance-based Go Kart that gives sporting gauges and even feeds an audio “wahoo!” as it loads in, plus different ones including Core, Vivid, Timeless, Green and more. Each of these modes also serves up a different ambient lighting, including a color projected on the dashboard fabric that’s very cool.

Maybe our favorite – there’s a lot to choose from – is the virtual canine assistant called Spike. This digital bulldog is super cute, and he’s even got an animated video clip which welcomes you as a new Mini Owner.

There are some step ups thanks to being a JCW model, including a massively thick leather-wrapped steering wheel, and especially supportive front sport seats. This may be a small car, but you know luxury is on board – the driver’s seat even has a massage function!

You won’t get a traditional center storage console, but we loved the little MINI storage box that’s perfect for throwing in small things like a key, wallet, etc., and there’s a wireless charging pad for your smartphone, and it’s got a cool little strap that keeps your phone from sliding around when the going gets going!

First timers may find themselves looking for a shift lever, and surprise, you’ll find a small lever on the toggle bar below the large screen.  The bar also serves up ignition with a cool turn-to-start toggle, and even a volume knob which we found very handy.

Speaking of handy, we were happy to find steering wheel mounted paddle shifters that are unique to JCW models and other MINIs with the JCW package that we wish were standard on all models – this car wants to be driven, and since a manual transmission is no longer available, the added control is a big step towards more fun!

Less fun was our experience with the overall info-tainment system. We think our tester had a glitch – the same system in the MINI 4-door and MINI Countryman we tested worked great and was loads of fun. This one was very frustrating. What it does show is how good the system actually is when it’s working as planned.

The convertible does have rear seats, but we can’t imagine an adult or even a medium-sized child fitting back there. It’s best as a place to throw gear which makes it friendlier than say a Miata. The trunk is handy, with a flip down tailgate, and you can even flip down the rear seats for added carrying space. For a tiny car, with a little planning you can get a surprising amount of stuff in there!

The Works really Works

Driving the JCW takes the joy of MINI motoring to a new level. It starts with a vehicle that was built from the start to be a convertible, and that means an exceptionally solid feeling chassis, and no flex or creaks from the chassis.  

Well first thing you’ll want to do is drop the top. Here, the MINI shows some great thinking. In the first open position, the top slides backwards and stops, leaving the side rails in place, and basically giving you the effect of a giant 16-inch sunroof. It’s best for low speeds, as you get a fair amount of wind buffeting inside.

Hit the roof button a second time, and all the windows roll down, and top fully folds behind you. All done, it takes just 18 seconds.

The nature of the top means you lose a little rear vision, but the excellent sized side mirrors make this no problem. Another nice touch, you retract the top at speeds up to about 20mph – great when traffic starts rolling and you’re still dropping the top.

Under the hood is a powerful 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo engine producing a strong 228 horsepower and an impressive 280 lb.-ft of torque. Hooking up to that powerplant is a new 7-speed dual clutch transmission -no manual is offered – and it has pros and cons compared to the previous model’s 8-speed automatic.

When you’re really on it, snapping off shifts is lightning fast, and the JCW’s paddle shifters add to the fun. The downside is that around town and at low speed the 7-speed sometimes pauses and feels clunky. Our advice – drive it hard! When you do so, the JCW is a rocket, and the diminutive drop-top hits 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds. It also sounds great (although some engine sound is pumped in through the speakers!) and in something this low and small, it feels even faster.

That’s just the beginning of the MINI thrill ride. The JCW’s adaptive suspension is firm but not harsh in the everyday and gets more aggressively tuned in Go Kart mode. Set up like that and the handling is phenomenal, grip is outrageous, steering feel is excellent, and the front end is how we like to say..” pointy” meaning it loves to turn in on an instant.

In fact, we noticed that in the JCW, the harder you drive it, the better it feels, this is a high-performance thoroughbred (thank you parent company BMW!) that lets you work on your tan, while grinning from ear to ear. It’s a great car for the enthusiast. And if you are less the driver, you can still opt for a non JCW convertible and have a great cruiser for open top fun. Another plus, the well-insulated top helps keep the cabin relatively quiet when it’s up, even at freeway speeds.

MINI Price?

Well, like most European products, restraint at the options sheet rewards with some savings.

The most basic MINI hardtop starts at just $26,675, and for a pint-sized bunch of fun, with spirited performance and European build quality, that’s a crazy bargain. Moving to a convertible jumps you to $33,950 and really that’s a great value as well.

Our top-of-the-line JCW tester started at $46,100 and added Iconic Trim and Comfort Package Plus ($2,000), 18-inch John Cooper Works Lap Spoke wheels ($600), and an especially cool MINI Yours Softop with Union Jack design for $600. Add in $995 for destination, and we rang the bell at $50,295.

Competitors to the JCW convertible is a sticky wicket. There’s really not much that compares. If you want more sports car, but even less functionality, the Mazda Miata is still a great choice and at $40,800 it’s significantly less expensive. Or you could opt for a Ford Mustang, at $49,020 it’s a much larger vehicle, but it’s a completely different vibe than the cheeky MINI.

Great new looks and tech, loads of charm and a thrilling drive, the 2025 MINI JCW convertible is a full-time fun machine that will always make you smile!