2021 Mini Cooper S Convertible

Nevertheless, it gets a new sidewalk special edition package and sees some slight changes to the optional equipment packages. It never ceases to amaze you with its sheer driving please and astonishing handling in the corners. As there are not many cars in this segment to compete with Mini Cooper S convertible, it has a limited number of rivalries. It gives strong competition to cars like the Mazda MX-5 and FIAT 124 Spider.

The Mini Cooper S comes in three trims on offer. The base model is labeled as Classic while the mid-trim and the top trim are labeled as Signature and Iconic trims respectively. The X1 is offered in a wide range of colors and other interior options. On the inside, you get 6 different options for the seat colors of the Mini Cooper S. It offers only one engine option on all the trims which is an amazing engine and delivers great power to weight ratio.

Which Trim should you buy?

The Mini Cooper S comes with many customization options. As a result, you can build the Mini that suits you the best. Even the base trim offers all the modern gimmicks you would expect from a premium car. But the Mid Signature trim is the best of both worlds as it offers the best bits from both other trims. Hence, we would recommend you to opt for the Signature trim which costs you an additional $3000 but it's totally worth spending all your bucks. As standard, the Signature trims offer a Signature upholstery package, 6.5 inches media display, MINI heads-up display, and Touch screen navigation package.

The 2021 Mini Cooper S convertible packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that is tuned to be sporty and peppy, so that it offers a spirited driving experience at any speed. This engine cranks out 189 hp @5000 rpm and a torque of 207 lb-ft @1350 rpm. The turbocharger comes into its own when it comes to the performance of the vehicle. 

Mated to a 6-speed conventional manual transmission, the Cooper S convertible catapults you to 60 mph from a standstill in a legit quick 6 seconds which is modern-day powerful sedan standards and goes all the way up to a maximum speed of 142 MPH even with the roof down. Moreover, all the power is channeled via a front-wheel-drive system that also helps with nimble steering. As you can see from the way it performs, the Mini Cooper S is intended to be a hatchback with a fun-filled and engaging driving experience.

Among the competition, with the inline-4 motor under the hood, the Mini Cooper S convertible seems the most powerful in the segment, followed by the Mazda Miata MX-5. Although the figures of the Fiat 124 spider are the least in terms of power, it has a more torquey engine than the Mazda which helps it with the top speed. The Mini Cooper shows stellar acceleration, far better and consistent than that of its rivalries. On the other hand, the Fiat 124 spider stands the best in terms of top speed.

How well does the 2021 Mini Cooper S convertible handle?

This is the part where the Mini Cooper really shines. With its lightweight and rigid chassis, the Mini Cooper delivers overwhelming handling. Despite being a convertible, with the roof down, it manages to have minimal body flex even at high speeds and corners. It is such a well-balanced car. The low center of gravity and compact body design offers an uncompromised driving experience.

As the chassis and the suspension is tuned to make it a hot hatchback, the ride quality is stiff and jerky in bumpy roads and you feel it a bit intrusive at slow speeds. Like you know, it is intended to be a sports hatchback rather than being a family car which is acceptable. You can go for the Mini Cooper version if you want a composed and comfortable car for the family, the S version is only for people who want extra fun and thrill while driving.

2021 Mini Cooper S Convertible Braking performance:

Braking performance is a matter of concern, especially when it comes to high-performance hatchbacks. The brakes of the Mini Cooper S are quite sharp and that just makes you feel confident while braking at high speeds. In the front, it gets 11-inch rotors which is the segment standard size for the front brakes. When it comes to rear brakes, it gets a 10.2 inches rotor which is a tad smaller than the other peers in its competition. Moreover, it also weighs a bit more than its rivals. As we don’t have the official times of braking performance, we are expecting it to deliver a subpar braking performance comparatively with the data we have got.

In comparison, Although all the cars are closely stacked against each other, Mazda Miata MX-5 has the best braking performance in the competition followed by the Fiat 124 spider which stops at 120 feet from 60-0 mph and makes use of 11-inch rotors in the front and rear as well. The lightweight nature of the Mazda Miata MX-5 helps it with the braking and it is evident from its stopping distance of 110 feet.

The 2021 Mini Cooper S uses a small engine that churns out dismal fuel economy numbers in comparison. Due to the high power to weight ratio, it guzzles a lot of fuel. In the city, you can drive the Mini Cooper S for about 23 miles per gallon of gas while on the highway it hauls up to about 32 miles per gallon which are not very impressive and a bit of a letdown. It delivers a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg which is nearly 4 mpg below its rivals.

Among the competition, both Mazda and Fiat are closely stacked against each other as both these cars deliver the same fuel figures. Both these cars deliver 35 mpg combined which is the highest in the class while the Mini delivers 26 mpg which is the lowest in the segment. With an 11.9-gallon fuel tank, both Fiat 124 spider and Mazda Miata MX-5 are proper mile munches in their segment returning a range of 309.4 miles in the city and 416.5 miles on the highway.

The designers in Mini have done creative work when it comes to interior. It just looks absolutely phenomenal. You wouldn’t feel like sitting in a hatchback. The upscale materials used inside are at the top. Even the base trim gets sports-heated seats. It still uses the traditional round-shaped center console with high definition infotainment touch screen in the center which is hands down one of the best things that makes this cabin a nice place to be in.

Furthermore, the steering wheel looks so premium with all the essential buttons mounted on it. You can also have a lot of stylish panel options on the dashboard. Also, it is the only car in the segment that can provide seating for 4 passengers. It also offers leather bolstered seats with premium quality which talks for the heritage of the brand. It also offers a generous cabin space than the other cars and the car comes alive with the roof down.

The cabin of the Mini Cooper feels extremely premium and roomier. As a result, the headroom in the Mini Cooper is the highest in the front row space. In the Mazda MX5, you would get a cargo capacity of 4.9 cu-ft. which is nearly equal to that of the Fiat 124 spider and lower than the Mini Cooper which has 7.6 cubic feet of cargo volume. Some of the highlight features of its interior are:

• Sensatec Leatherette Upholstery
• Sport Seats (STD)
• Metal-Look Interior Accents
• Simulated Carbon Fiber Instrument Panel Insert
• Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry

What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2021 Mini Cooper S Convertible?

Mini has leveled up the infotainment system along with its class-leading comfort. The Mini Cooper S model includes a more prominent 6.5-inch touchscreen display that works like a modern smartphone. In addition, you can also have an 8.8-inch touchscreen with a navigation system and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. Not only does it come with highly customizable interior options but also has a great infotainment system. Some other intuitive infotainment features include

• Upgraded Harman Kardon stereo
• Head-up display
• Radio w/Seek-Scan
• Speed Compensated Volume Control
• Steering Wheel Controls
• wireless phone charging

The exterior design of the Mini still retains its traditional adorable styling. The Exterior looks as exquisite as its interior. It still has conventional round headlights integrated with projector lights and LED Daytime running lights. As the name says, it is still a mini car in terms of size. The party trick of the car is its soft top you can close and enjoy the drive on a nice spring day. It also comes with front fog lamps which merge with the headlight shape.

The front bonnet has a scoop that gives it a sporty look which is also functional and sends even more air to the intake. The taillights get LED lights that are designed to glow in the shape of the United Kingdom which is a nice little touch to flaunt where it comes from. As the name suggests, it is also the smallest car in its segment measuring 151.9 inches and a width of 68 inches. It also falls short in terms of ground clearance which affects its ride quality.

The aesthetics of the new Mini Cooper S are uncompromising and stylish. It has reformed with modern styling bits. As a result, the overall dimensions of the body look more striking with a soft top. A Compact structure and better height is a head-turner. However, the Mazda is the lightest among the lot weighing 2403, and the longest as well measuring a length of 159.6 inches. Some of the attractive exterior features include:

• Heated mirrors and washer jets
• Light Tinted Glass
• Stripes
• 16-inch wheels
• Front And Rear Fog Lamps
• Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers

Safety and reliability have been one of the topmost priorities for the Mini as a brand. The 2021 Mini Cooper S is no different as it earns an overall Good score in all the crash tests conducted by the IIHS. However, the NHTSA has not rated the Mini Cooper S yet. It also hosts a plethora of advanced driver aids and modern safety features. Some of the safety features include

• Active Driving Assistance (FCW/AEB),
• forward collision warning,
• automatic emergency braking,
• standard 6 airbags,

2021 Mini Cooper S Convertible Vs 2021 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth:

The Fiat 124 Spider is a very strong statement from Fiat to annihilate its competition. It has a handsome-looking exterior design, modern features, and a great fuel economy. But it lacks behind in terms of engine performance, it offers space for only 2 passengers whereas, the Mini Cooper can take 4 passengers with comfort despite being a small car. Even though the Mini is powerful, the Fiat outperforms the Mini in corners with its lightweight nature and great agility.

2021 Mini Cooper S Convertible Vs 2021 Mazda MX5 Miata Roadster :

The 2021 Mazda MX-5 is an overall great package. Although it falls short in terms of power when compared to the Mini by a slight margin. It really manages to keep pace with Mini Cooper S in terms of performance and surprisingly returns a great mileage, unlike the Mini Cooper. However, the Mazda Miata MX-5 also loses out to the Mini in terms of interior space and cargo capacity.

As you can see, the Mini is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated cars of all time. It is affordable, charming, filled to the brim with potential and practicality, and the most important part, its persona, and character which didn’t fade away after all these years. Most cars don’t have the traits or quality of its predecessor. Mini Cooper S is among the very few cars that still retain its true character even after 50 years of existence. If you want a hot hatchback filled with lots of profound driving experience and class-defining performance, the Mini Cooper S convertible would be a perfect choice.