2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible first drive review
India’s most affordable convertible makes a return, now with sharper design, more power and Mini’s latest digital cockpit, proving there’s still space for roof-down fun in an SUV-dominated world;
Convertibles don’t have an obvious place in today’s market. Most buyers want ground clearance, five useable seats, and enough boot space to justify the price tag. Roof-down driving sits somewhere between indulgence and impracticality, especially in India. Yet Mini continues to offer one, almost as a quiet rebellion against the crossover tide. The new Cooper S Convertible updates the form with more digital kit, sharper styling and a familiar turbo-petrol heart. What matters now is whether the open-top format still adds something worthwhile to the Mini experience, or if nostalgia is doing most of the heavy lifting.
2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible design
Visually, this is Mini dialled back a notch. The round headlights remain, the grille is now octagonal, and the tail lamps continue to get the Union Jack motif. Previous generations occasionally bordered on playful caricature; this one appears more grown-up without losing identity. The proportions are still compact, and the short overhangs mean the Cooper S continues to look agile and slightly cheeky, the way a Mini should. The most important talking point here, obviously, is the black soft-top roof, which is the only major change in comparison to the standard 3-door Cooper S.The fully automatic mechanism folds in 18 seconds and can be operated up to 30kmph. It disappears neatly behind the rear seats, leaving a tidy profile rather than a bulky stack. You can have the roof with an optional grey Union Jack pattern, which is a subtle nod to heritage without looking forced. It rides on 18-inch wheels, and customers can choose between two designs.
The soft-top takes 18 seconds to fold itself at a max operating speed of 30kmph — Shot by Avdhoot A Kolhe for evo India
Our test car wore the Night Flash Spoke wheels with bronze accents, which go rather well with the stance. I’ve also realised I subconsciously pick the best colours in the press fleet – call it journalistic duty, or vanity – because a good shade genuinely transforms the design. This one, in Chilli Red, suits the Convertible perfectly, though Sunny Side Yellow, Ocean Wave Green and the inevitable British Racing Green are also on the menu. Overall, the design direction feels calmer and more confident than before.
2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible interiors and features
Inside, the cabin is instantly familiar if you’ve spent time in the current Cooper S hatch. The dashboard is dominated by a 9.4-inch circular OLED display, replacing most physical controls. You still get a proper knob for the volume, a toggle for the Experience Modes, that charming aircraft-style starter, and a separate toggle for the drive selector. Everything else – navigation, climate, media and so on – lives within the touchscreen. Mini claims the display has a special coating that reduces smudges and reflections, and surprisingly, it does seem effective.
There’s also a head-up display and a 365W 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system that’s crisp enough to be heard over the wind, should you decide to open the roof and senses simultaneously. Material quality has also gone up a notch. There’s knitted fabric running across the dash and door cards, complete with ambient lighting tucked inside. You get Vescin sports seats with electric adjustment and even a massage function for the driver.
The steering wheel is chunky and grippy to hold, and gets a fabric strap as a spoke, which adds to the unique factor of Mini models. Rear seats remain more symbolic than practical, but can manage short runs if you absolutely must. Luggage space is 160 litres roof-down and 215 litres roof-up – adequate for a weekend, but optimistic for an airport run.
2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible engine and performance
Moving on to why most enthusiasts all over the world have always adored a Mini. And that’s because of the way it drives. Before we talk about ride and handling though, let me talk about what powers the Mini Cooper S Convertible. Under the hood sits a familiar engine. It’s the same engine from before but power has gone up slightly. The B48 2-litre four-cyl engine now makes 201bhp (+12bhp) and 300Nm (+20Nm), and is mated to a 7-speed DCT.
The familiar 2-litre four-cyl engine packs an extra 12bhp and 20Nm mated to a 7-speed DCT 'box — Shot by Avdhoot A Kolhe for evo India
All these figures and facts sound good on paper, and I was eager to get behind the ’wheel of this car, especially when I’m getting to drive it in Jaisalmer on a chilly winter morning. I was all geared up then. I hopped in at around 7 in the morning, rolled down the soft-top roof, and turned up the air-con to its maximum temperature and fan speed so my hands and face got a good blast of warm air. On a cold start, the exhaust note has a hint of sportiness, but once it settles there isn’t much drama outside. Inside, however, the sound is pumped through the speakers. Purists won’t love the idea, but it does add a sense of occasion.
2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible chassis and ride
As I drove the car, things started unravelling. The ride quality is firm – there’s no escaping that – but on the long, flowing sections outside Jaisalmer it actually worked in the car’s favour. The chassis feels tied down at higher speeds and there’s a planted confidence you don’t usually associate with something this compact. Sound insulation with the soft-top up is surprisingly good too, so you don’t feel like you’re driving inside a tent the moment the wind picks up. Power delivery feels adequate for a car this size, but the bigger irritation for me was the lack of paddle shifters. On a car pitched as an enthusiast-friendly S, having nothing to take manual control does take away a layer of involvement. Even in a short stint, I found myself instinctively reaching behind the steering wheel only to find empty space. I also found myself fighting the steering wheel to keep it arrow straight at higher speeds. At lower speeds, the weight and feedback is good, but I would’ve liked it to weigh up more as the car picked up speed.
Mini still calls the drive experience ‘go-kart’, and with the dedicated Go-Kart mode engaged, the car goes into its max attack settings, the display turns playful, and you even get a little g-force readout. Torque steer is evidently present when you go full throttle – classic Mini behaviour and still entertaining. At cruising speeds we even managed 11kmpl, so it isn’t drinking like you’d expect.
2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible verdict
The new Cooper S Convertible isn’t dramatically faster or drastically different, but it remains one of the few small cars that prioritises feel over flavour-of-the-month practicality. It still delivers that slightly mischievous character, still tugs at the steering when you get greedy with the throttle, and still makes open-top driving feel like you’re in a movie. Even with the firm ride and missing paddles, this Mini continues to offer something most cars don’t: an excuse to go for a drive simply because the sky looks interesting. Mini hasn't announced the price yet, but it's safe to say that it'll be the most affordable Convertible on sale in India. Thus, making it a rather appealing indulgence.