When BMW, which owns Mini, reintroduced the Cooper to the U.S. market for the 2002 model year, it had conservative expectations. It wasn’t clear if people would pay a very significant premium for a very small car with a very big personality, and there were numerous retro-styled models already on the market. Bringing Mini to the U.S. was a gamble, and it paid off. Demand outstripped supply for a long time, and today the Mini brand is expanding with new Cooper variants and an upcoming crossover SUV.

The Mini Cooper hatchback was redesigned for 2007. In 2008, a new wagon version called the Mini Clubman debuted. And now, for 2009, the convertible model is all-new.

Highlights of the 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible include:

• Completely redesigned for 2009
• Cooper gets more powerful standard four-cylinder engine and optional six-speed automatic in place of previous CVT
• Cooper S model receives a turbocharged engine in place of the previous supercharged motor
• Convertible now offered in John Cooper Works performance trim level
• Standard electric power steering
• Standard stability and traction control
• Standard four-wheel-disc ABS with cornering brake control and brake assist
• Standard hill-start assist feature
• Retains sliding sunroof feature as part of convertible top design
• Top can be operated at speeds up to 20 mph
• New electromechanical roll bar mounted behind the rear seats
• Standard side-impact airbags with head protection
• Improved structural rigidity
• Improved outward visibility
• Folding rear seats for added cargo capacity
• Trunk hinges mounted inside for a cleaner appearance

Model Lineup

The 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible is sold in three levels of specification. Standard equipment on the base Cooper Convertible includes an Openometer, which measures the amount of time the car is driven with the top down, a 3-in-1 convertible roof, which includes a sunroof panel for when driving with the entire top dropped in not desired, and a Sport button that makes the Cooper’s acceleration, steering, and automatic transmission shifts feel more responsive. The Cooper Convertible comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, alloy wheels wearing run-flat tires, and free maintenance for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles of ownership. Leatherette upholstery is standard, along with power mirrors, power windows, remote keyless entry, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and an onboard trip computer. Air conditioning is also included, as well as an auxiliary audio input jack and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player. The Cooper Convertible can be personalized with numerous options, and it’s really best to visit the Mini website to learn more about colors, interiors, option packages, and additional factory and dealer-installed features.

If a more performance-oriented Mini Cooper Convertible is what you seek, try the Cooper S model, which has a more powerful, turbocharged engine fed cool air by a hood scoop, as well as a black mesh grille, a center-mounted exhaust outlet, a chrome fuel door, fog lights, sport seats, and aluminum foot pedals. There’s also a John Cooper Works (JCW) edition of the Cooper S Convertible which brings maximum power and handling to the table with a more powerful turbocharged engine complete with Overboost feature, a reinforced clutch, bigger brakes with four-piston Brembo calipers, unique 17-inch wheels, an electronic differential lock control system, a 160-mph speedometer, unique interior trim treatments, stainless steel foot pedals, and cloth sport seats. As with the base model, Mini offers myriad ways to customize a Cooper S and Cooper JCW, so check the Mini website to learn more.

Under the Hood

The standard engine installed under the Mini Cooper’s stubby hood is a 1.6-liter, inline four-cylinder engine making 118 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 114 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4,250 rpm. It is connected to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic driving the front wheels, and is rated to return between 25 and 36 mpg, depending on transmission and whether the car is driven in the city or on the highway.

The Mini Cooper S has the same size engine, turbocharged to make 172 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 177 ft.-lbs. of torque between 1,600 and 5,000 rpm. Buyers can select the six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, and fuel economy is rated between 23 and 34 mpg. Our review vehicle, equipped with this engine and the manual transmission, averaged 30.4 mpg in mixed driving. Combined with the Cooper’s 13.2 gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 400-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

The Mini Cooper JCW also has a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, tuned to generate 208 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 ft.-lbs. of torque between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm. In Overboost mode, the Cooper JCW makes 207 ft.-lbs. of torque for short periods of time. The Cooper JCW, available only with a manual transmission, is expected to return 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible includes dual front airbags, and side impact airbags for the front seat occupants which include thorax protection. In the event of a rollover accident, the Cooper Convertible is equipped with an Active Rollover Protection Bar that pops up from behind the rear seats. Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and cornering brake control are also standard, along with a stability and traction control system. Xenon headlights and park distance control sensors are optional on the Cooper Convertible.

The Competition

JDPower.com says the 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible competes against other small convertibles such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Smart Fortwo, Volkswagen New Beetle, and Volkswagen Eos.

Compare small convertibles

Note: This review was published on December 8, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.