2013 Mini Cooper

The 2013 Mini Cooper Convertible is offered in a single trim level with a handsome list of features along with a myriad of optional extras on offer as well. The car gets a standard 1.6-liter engine under its hood along with a standard FWD layout and a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. The standard list of features includes 16-inch alloy wheels that are specific to the convertible model only, full power accessories, a power-operated convertible roof with a sunroof, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt-and-telescoping adjustments, and multicolor ambient interior lighting among other features.

Which trim should you buy?

The Cooper convertible is offered in a single and well-equipped variant only. Nonetheless, we would recommend the Sport Package if you wish to upgrade the sporty character of the vehicle while the standalone optional features are there for individual choices as well.

The 2013 Mini Cooper Convertible is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter Prince engine from BMW which was co-developed with PSA Peugeot Citroen as well. The output figures of the motor stand at 120 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. The power and torque figures might look puny on paper yet, the compact footprint of the vehicle along with its lighter-than-average curb weight allows it to perform brilliantly, going head-on with the much powerful segment rivals. The handling of the Cooper Convertible is excellent too but that takes a toll on the ride quality. The motor is mated to a standard 6-speed manual transmission that offers exceptionally precise and smooth shifts, giving absolute control over the car’s powertrain.

The Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is equipped with the biggest naturally aspirated motor here, a 2.5-liter straight-5 motor. It generates 170 horsepower along with a torque output of 177 lb-ft. The motor is quite responsive and offers a punchy performance however, the car lacks the exceptional handling capabilities offered by the Mini. The Mazda MX-5 Miata gets a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter I-4 under its hood. Its power and torque figures are modest yet, its compact build makes it a jolly performer. The Audi A3 Cabriolet is the winner here with the most powerful turbocharged motor and the quickest acceleration times among the rivals here.

The 2013 Mini Cooper Convertible offers excellent mpg ratings, taking advantage of its small powertrain and modest power figures. It returns an average of28mpg in the city limits while the highway mileage shoots up to 35mpg. The combined mileage rating stands at 31mpg. It comes with a small 11.6-gallon gasoline tank yet, its driving range numbers are awe-inspiring when compared to the figures offered by the rest of the rivals on the list.

The Volkswagen Beetle Convertible has the lowest city mileage number while its highway mileage and the combined mileage are at par with the rivals. It gets the biggest gasoline tank here, a 14.5-gallon unit that offers some excellent driving range such as about 478 miles of highway range. The Mazda MX-5 Miata returns about 26mpg in the city, 33mpg out on the highways while its driving range numbers are not as impressive as what the Cooper or the Beetle has to offer. The Audi A3 Cabriolet’s mpg figures are decent considering the power levels and the performance it has on tap.

The 2013 Mini Cooper interior is well built with an above-average quality of materials throughout the cabin. The design is cute with the dashboard getting a huge centrally-mounted speedometer that surrounds the rectangular infotainment screen. All the controls are well within the reach of the driver. The overall interior design sees plenty of round shapes that are nicely put in a bid to retain the retro aura of the Mini. The front seats offer excellent legroom and headroom while the rear seats are more claustrophobic rather than usable. The 7.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity is not that great either yet folding the rear seats flat increases the space to 24 cu-ft.

The Volkswagen Beetle might look all cute outside but its interior carries the traditional German elegance with a straightforward design. The overall appeal is way more premium than what the Mini’s cabin offers and the cabin is more spacious as well. The Mazda MX-5’s cabin has a quite forgettable design with a button-heavy dashboard while the glossy plastic trim running across the dash looks cool. The Audi A3 Cabriolet’s interior design is a bit too basic as per Audi’s standards yet, it feels at par when putting side-by-side with the rivals here on the list.

Some standout interior features are:

• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Vinyl upholstery with leather finish
• Multicolor ambient interior lighting
• A tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power accessories
• Keyless entry

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The standard infotainment system of the 2013 Mini Cooper Convertible gets all the basics in place with features such as Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo system, a CD player, HD radio, and a USB/iPod adapter. The optional 6.5-inch infotainment display with the Mini Connect interface offers more usability and an elaborate user interface as well.

Some infotainment features are:

• Bluetooth 
• A six-speaker stereo
• CD player
• HD radio
• USB/iPod adapter 
• Auxiliary audio jack

The 2013 Mini Cooper Convertible exterior design ranks among the cutest ones out there while combining a sporty appeal as well. The overall dimensions of the car are quite compact and it allows it to squeeze into tight spaces and maneuver city traffics with ease. The front nose of the car looks striking while the big and round headlamp units with chrome trims around them accentuate the circular design theme of the interior. The car also gets black plastic cladding under the body that adds a vibe of ruggedness.

The Volkswagen Beetle has a perfectly blended retro-modern design with LED headlamps and tail lamps in place. Its exterior dimensions are slightly bigger than the Cooper’s dimensions and it also sports a better ground clearance as well. The Mazda MX-5 Miata has a unique and jolly front nose design with a compact body. In terms of maneuverability, it gives a tough competition to the Cooper Convertible. The Audi A3 Cabriolet is the biggest vehicle here with elaborate exterior dimensions as compared to the competitors here. Yet its looks might seem dull in front of the rest of the competitors here.

Some standout exterior features are:

• 16-inch wheels
• Power-operated convertible rooftop with sunroof
• LED headlamps and taillamps
• Power-folding rearview mirrors with heating(optional)

The 2013 Mini Cooper is not that well-equipped when it comes to safety features yet, the car covers all the basics such as ESC, ABS, and curtain airbags. Specific for the convertible model, the car gets pop-up rollover bars and bigger front airbags for added protection. The IIHS gave it an overall rating of “Good” while the NHTSA hasn’t rated it.

Some important safety features are:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS 
• Side Impact Beams
• Pop-up rollover bars
• Side curtain airbags

The 2013 Mini Cooper Convertible is the ideal companion for those who love an open-top driving experience with a car that can take on corners almost like a sportscar and can fly past the city traffic quite easily. The Cooper is a practical car too with excellent fuel economy figures and a decent-sized cabin that provides a handsome list of comfort and convenience features. Overall, the retro-styled Cooper is the one to go for if you long for a retro-modern convertible that offers endless fun on both city and freeways.