In world of crossovers, there are still some sporty little cars to put a big smile on your face. If you’ve said, “Sign me up,” MINI has just the car for you.
The 2022 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is a little bundle of fun with 228hp, which is plenty of motivation for this little car. This is the sportiest version of the MINI convertibles, with handing limits that will impress. This car loves to carve corners. Some of that handling is thanks to the iconic trim package that throws in summer tires and unique dynamic damper control.
This year, MINI gets a fresh new look. A revised front end with those distinctive circular headlights and wide grill catch your eye. MINI allows you to customize your ride so you can make your car your own. My ride came with bonnet stripes, and a MINI soft top adds style to the usual dark colored top. The top can be opened like a big sunroof or folded all the way back to give it a full open-air experience.
The interior of the MINI is a premium experience with heated sport seats that help keep you planted when you hit the twisties. The seats still provide enough comfort to cruise for longer distances. A large round central pod holds an 8.8-inch screen and controls for the premium sound system. This MINI sports four seats, but the rear seat space is limited to small children at best. Storage space is at a premium with small opening, luckily the top can move to make loading a bit easier.
- Cost: $38,900; as tested $46,350
- MPG: 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway; I managed 28.7 mpg premium fuel in 226 miles of mixed driving.
- Safety: Active cruise control with braking function; dynamic stability control; active driving assistant with forward collision warning; park distance control & parking assistant; MINI heads-up display; LED headlights & cornering lighting
- Options: $500 MINI Your Softtop; $100 JCW bonnet stripes; $6,000 Iconic trim
- Things to know: The 2022 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is a high-powered, premium little car that is built to have fun in the sun.
Pros:
• Handling limits are very high for a FWD car
• Refreshed front-end styling adds to the MINI to better standout
• Punchy turbo engine provides a lot of performance and good MPG
Cons:
• No manual transmission in the John Cooper Works version
• Rear seat space is very limited
• Some might find the ride too firm
