Introducing a new version of the iconic Mini Cooper is no simple task. The small car must move forward with upgraded features and new technology, but at the same time, it must remain loyal to its past, maintaining its familiar Bulldog style and fun-to-drive dynamics. The 2025 Mini Cooper Hardtop I tested last year met these requirements, and the higher-performance John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible is even more enjoyable.
Photo: Perry Stern
It may look similar, but the 2025 Mini Cooper JCW Convertible gets some significant updates for the new model year, and it's a step up from the Hardtop I drove earlier. Changes include:
The 2025 Mini Cooper is available as a 2-Door Hardtop, 4-Door Hardtop, and a Convertible, with three performance levels—base, S, and John Cooper Works—and three trim levels: Signature, Signature Plus, and Iconic. Prices range from $30,125 for a base 2-Door Hardtop with Signature trim to $50,450 for a JCW Convertible with Iconic trim. Prices include the $1,175 destination charge.
For this review of the 2025 Cooper, Mini invited me to Savannah, Georgia, and provided a JCW Convertible equipped with Iconic trim and 18-inch John Cooper Works Lap Spoke wheels.
The test vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) was $51,050, including the $1,175 destination charge to ship the convertible to your local dealership from the Oxford, United Kingdom, assembly plant.
Photo: Perry Stern
As with all Mini Coopers, the top-level JCW Convertible gets fresh styling for the 2025 model year with elements that set it apart from the rest of the Mini lineup. The Mini Cooper Convertible is still mini as the dimensions are basically the same as the outgoing version, but the JCW gets a unique black grille, and the lower vents with red trim give the car a wider, more aggressive look. Contrasting stripes on the hood and available red mirrors add to the sporty look, as do the optional 18-inch wheels.
The big, round headlights have been a hallmark of Mini design since the brand returned to America about 20 years ago. They carry on for the 2025 model year but with a high-tech twist. The LED running lights are customizable via the infotainment system, allowing the driver to choose from three styles: lighting the round frame, the horizontal bars, or both. The taillights get a similar treatment, with three patterns available.
Like the rest of the lineup, the 2025 Mini Cooper JCW Convertible gets a revamped cabin with a clean design highlighted by a new 9.4-inch OLED round display, reminiscent of the setup in the original Mini Cooper. Of course, the round gauge in that car was just a speedometer, while this new display runs the brand's latest infotainment operating system.
Aside from the display, the dashboard is uncluttered; there isn't even a display in front of the driver. Instead, the 2025 Mini Cooper comes standard with a head-up display. Trimmed in a knitted fabric material, the dashboard in the JCW stands out with a red checkered design on the right side, matching the red stitching found throughout the cabin. The updated steering wheel gets a JCW badge, while premium, simulated leather trims the sporty seats, featuring a design specific to the JCW.
The Mini Cooper Convertible is a four-seater, but the rear seat is barely usable for adults. It is easier to climb in with the convertible's top down, but front-seat passengers must slide their seats forward to allow for any legroom in the rear.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Mini Cooper is a great car to drive, but plenty of useful and entertaining features added for the 2025 model year further elevate the joy of owning a Mini. One of my favorites is the voice interface in the infotainment system; his name is Spike.
Uttering "Hey, Mini" brings Spike the dog up on the infotainment display, ready to respond to your inquiries and requests. While I think he should have been an English Bulldog, he's still cute and entertaining. Spike can make phone calls, set the navigation, adjust the climate control, and even tell a joke or a story when asked.
While you can't change Spike’s appearance, a level of customization is available via selectable Experiences. Accessed via a toggle switch below the screen, there are six Experiences from which to choose. Each changes the ambient lighting, projected pattern on the dashboard, and the style of the center display screen.
My favorite was Go-Kart, which changed the main display to show horsepower, torque, and maximum g-force. Beyond a display style change, Go-Kart also improves steering and throttle response, reduces the stability control intervention, and quickens the gear shifts, giving the Mini a sportier dynamic.
The updated Mini Cooper also gets some cool convertible features. The soft top opens with the push of a button with no latches to deal with, and it's down in just 18 seconds. But when you don't want the full convertible experience, the top can operate like a sunroof, sliding open up to 16 inches. The top mechanism can operate at vehicle speeds up to 19 mph, and for more of that Mini look, it can feature a Union Jack pattern.
Mini thinks that the top should be down whenever possible if you have a convertible. To that end, an Always Open Timer in the infotainment system shows how many days, hours, and minutes you've driven with the top down.
The Mini Cooper Hardtop doesn't have much cargo-carrying capability, and the convertible has even less room, with just 5.2 cubic feet of trunk space. However, for easier loading and a bit more room, you can raise the upper section of the cargo area when the convertible top is closed, creating a wider loading space. In this state, the cargo cover is higher, leaving space for a few small suitcases. However, the top must remain up while the expanded space is used.
Photo: Perry Stern
The John Cooper Works edition is the highest-performing version in the Mini Cooper lineup. Under the hood is an updated turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 228 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels.
While horsepower remains unchanged from the previous version, 45 pound-feet of additional torque improves overall performance. A quick-shifting, seven-speed DCT replaces the eight-speed automatic transmission. With the added torque, Mini says the JCW Convertible reaches 60 mph in 6.2 seconds—a hair quicker than the outgoing model. Unfortunately, Mini no longer offers a manual gearbox on any of its models beginning with the 2025 model year.
The 2025 Mini Cooper JCW Convertible sees a slight improvement in fuel economy, getting an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated 30 mpg combined. My drive in the Mini brought similar results, with the trip computer indicating 29.1 mpg—rather efficient, considering its sporty nature.
The Mini Cooper JCW Convertible starts with a satisfying growl—artificially generated, but still enjoyable. I immediately put the top down, and surprisingly, the display was still easy to read, even in full sun. Motoring through the town of Savannah, the Mini's small size and quick steering make it an ideal city car. It is easy to maneuver in traffic with good power to get ahead of slower vehicles or win the race to 40 mph every time the light turns green.
While I miss driving a Mini with a manual gearbox, the JCW's standard paddle shifters add a level of engagement. The left paddle says "boost," adding another bit of fun to the Mini JCW experience. Hold the paddle for a few seconds, and a countdown from 10 appears on the display screen, indicating that you have 10 seconds of maximum power boost. I can't say the boost was that noticeable compared to normal full acceleration, but it is a fun party trick.
Accelerating up to highway speeds is effortless in the JCW. Once at 55 mph, I raised the windows to calm the windstorm in the cabin. You can raise or lower all the windows via one button, and with the windows up and top down, the airflow remains relatively calm. You'll still feel the wind in your hair, but it's quiet enough to carry on a normal conversation, although I did need to raise my voice to interact with Spike. I could still feel the bumps on rougher roads, but for the most part, the Mini Cooper JCW delivers a smooth, confident ride.
Once on the highway, I set the adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and the system worked well at maintaining speed and keeping the car centered in its lane. While there is steering control, this is not a hands-free system—a fact that it will remind you of after a few seconds. Mini does offer a lower-speed, hands-free system in the Countryman, but it is not available in the Cooper.
While the Mini Cooper JCW Convertible works great as a daily driver, dealing well with city and highway traffic, that daily drive is much more fun if there are some winding back roads along the way. The steering response is excellent, and the small car can change directions quickly while remaining composed and stable. The brakes are strong and linear for predictable stopping power, and the car stays planted through the corners with satisfying acceleration out of the curves.
There are faster, sportier cars on the road, but the Mini's handling and enjoyable driving dynamics will satisfy enthusiasts and thrill novices.
Perhaps the biggest issue I saw with the convertible was what I couldn't see—that is, anything that was behind me. When the top is down, it sits relatively high behind the rear seats and almost completely blocks the view behind the car. Surprisingly, the visibility is better when the top is closed, as the back window provides a clear view.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Mini Cooper JCW Convertible received significant updates for the 2025 model year. Still, the small car stays true to its roots, delivering a fun-to-drive experience in a vehicle that can easily bring a smile every day. The updated technology is useful and fun, and the revised styling gives the Mini a fresh look while it remains one of the most recognizable cars on the road. While the Mazda MX-5 Miata or Ford Mustang Convertible can deliver similar or better performance than the Mini, neither can match the Mini Cooper JCW Convertible’s charm.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry remains passionate about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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