2023 Mini Cooper Convertible

The Mini Cooper Convertible doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but since when is fun supposed to be rational? The impractical drop-top body combined with ultra-cartoonish style creates one of the most characterful and mischievous cars in the USA. The Mini is all about fun, and silly mundane things like rear-seat space or cargo capacity don't even factor into the equation. Under the hood, you'll find either a 134-horsepower three-cylinder in base guise or a 189-hp four-pot in Cooper S guise, both turbocharged and both doing a good job of hustling the tiny car around town and delivering hard-to-match levels of fun. With no convertible hatchback rivals, the Mazda MX-5 Miata comes to the party with a cheaper base price and a reputation for driving pleasure that is hard to compete with. Is the higher price The Mini is quite a bit more premium on the inside, though - but is that enough to justify the $28,400 starting price?

After spending just a few hours behind the wheel of the 2022 Cooper Convertible, one can't help but wonder why there aren't more compact drop-tops around. This is a phenomenally fun vehicle to pilot, with a playful throttle that eagerly accepts inputs and responsive steering that lets you really get the most out of the power from the engines. These include a 1.5-liter three-cylinder with 134 hp in the base model and a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 189 hp on Cooper S derivatives. Both can be optioned with either a seven-speed auto 'box or a more hands-on six-speed manual. Given the choice, we'd take the manual - the Mini feels most alive when you truly engage with it.

You may think that the front-wheel drivetrain would detract from the experience, but since the Cooper Convertible is so darn small, it still manages to feel extremely dynamic. Steering inputs result in almost immediate responses, which can take a little getting used to. Even at higher speeds, the steering wheel remains light, while feedback from the wheels is nonexistent. In review, the Mini Cooper is surprisingly fun for a convertible.

The lowered structural stability from the lack of a roof does result in a harsher ride than you'd expect from a drop-top, a class of car known for its leisure lifestyle. Small bumps can be felt in the cabin, while large ones can completely unhinge the small vehicle. If you don't mind adding even more to the already high price, the adaptive suspension helps to overcome some of these difficulties.

The Mini Cooper Convertible may not be your typical open-top cruiser, but it excels as a sporty spin-off of the otherwise laid-back body style. It naturally suffers for its small size, with very little passenger space and almost no room for cargo once the top is down. However, it benefits, too, with decent fuel economy figures and the ability to eke some real performance out of the otherwise unimpressive base engine.

The optional four-pot is the way to go if you want real fun, though. Combined with the Mini's playful attitude and intuitive handling, it makes for a compelling driving experience. But even though it has some athleticism, the Cooper Convertible functions best as a quirky cruiser. It's best served by the smaller wheels since the ride comfort is already choppy, and it doesn't lose any of its unique character for it. If you want to have fun and don't care what the world thinks about it, the Mini Cooper Convertible might just be the car for you - just be prepared for the lack of cargo and passenger space.