2020 Mini Convertible Reviews

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)

The concept headed for the January debut points to the new larger Mini Cooper JCW arriving in the middle of 2014, and it will likely shed little of the show car's wardrobe on the way to the production line -- except perhaps the hand-finished surface of the grey and red livery.Features likely to survive are the larger air intakes in the front fascia to punt breeze into the engine bay, the JCW black-bevel grille and full LED headlights.Mini says the longer wheelbase and wider track of the new car have boosted the car's handling abilities, further helped by an aerodynamic bodykit with side skirts and rear apron with flaps and diffuser, sports exhaust and twin chromed tailpipes. The show car also gets a roof spoiler and a dimple behind the front wheelarch to channel air around the C-pillar.With the aerodynamics working in concert with weight savings and a tweaked suspension, Mini says the JCW offers 'hardcore driving fun'.While the new standard Mini will offer turbo three-cylinder engines, the JCW will continue with a four-cylinder, and although details are yet to be released it will logically have higher outputs than the Cooper S turbocharged 2.0-litre four's 141kW of power between 4700-6000rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1250rpm.  

If you are a sunshine worshipper, then you will love the Mini Cooper convertible. It may not be particularly cheap, but it's one of the most fun and agile cars on the market.

Mini has just unveiled the new third-generation at the Los Angeles motor show, but only in one variation: the three-door hatch. However, other models are on the way, and our latest spy shots show the Cooper Convertible, snapped while being transported for testing.It's likely to follow very shortly after the on-sale timing of the hardtop -- March next year for overseas markets, and arriving here not long afterwards.Like the Cooper hatch, there's no reason to expect any startling departures from the Mini recipe, which means the convertible will carry on with a powered folding soft top. However there will be changes to the interior, echoing those of the hatch: the speedo and tacho have been ditched from the massive 8.8-inch circular gauge in the middle of the dash and moved to a more conventional position in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel (with heads-up displays for upper spec variants).The plate-sized feature still dominates the centre of the dash, but now contains just audio and airconditioning controls and an optional reversing camera and satnav. There'll also be extra safety kit on offer with a parking assistant, and collision and pedestrian avoidance systems.Based on the new UKL platform we'll eventually also see underpinning some BMWs, the convertible will echo the hatch in offering more space, having grown grown in length, width and wheelbase. Mini says that translates to more cabin room and an additional 51 litres of cargo capacity.Drvetrains should similarly echo the hatch, with the entry level droptop powered by a turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with outputs of 100kW of power between 4500-600rpm and 220Nm of torque at a low 1250rpm. The Cooper S convertible will carry a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, developing 141kW of power between 4700-6000rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1250rpm. Transmissions for all variants are a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed auto.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The new Mini arrives here early next year with new efficient engines, a larger body and some changes to styling, but largely continuing with the signature design recipe. It has however  grown 98mm in length to 3821mm, 44m in width to 1727mm and 7mm in height to 1414mm on a 34mm longer wheelbase at 2495mm to give more cabin room and an additional 51 litres of luggage space. There's big news under the skin too, where the Mini debuts the new UKL platform that will in time underpin more new Minis and some new models from parent company BMW. Watch the 2014 Mini Cooper unveiling video on our desktop site. _______________________________________  

The Mini Cooper hatch being unveiled this week will be followed in short course by a cabriolet and other versions, so design guru Theophilus Chin has put his styling brain to work on what the droptop Mini will look like.Singapore-based Chin has had experience in designing a couple of cars himself, and his informed renderings are usually a good pointer to the direction a car might take. In the case of the Mini, there's a blueprint to be adhered to, and he's respected that.The new Mini arrives here early in 2014 with new efficient engines, a bigger body and some styling tweaks -- on the outside it's largely confined to a slightly squarer nose and new headlights and LED taillights. But on the inside, the speedo and tacho have been kicked out of the plate-sized gauge in the middle of the dash and are now in a more normal position in the instrument binnacle. The massive circular qauge remains in place, but houses audio, aircon and an optional reversing camera and satnav.The Mini debuts the new UKL platform, and will be powered in the base model by a turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with outputs of 100kW of power between 4500-600rpm and 220Nm of torque at a low 1250rpm, with Mini claiming a 0-100kmh time of 7.56 seconds (auto) and 7.66 (manual) and fuel economy of 4.5L/100km.The Cooper S gets a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, developing 141kW of power between 4700-6000rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1250rpm, with 0-100kmh times of 6.62 (auto) and 6.73 (manual)  and fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. The diesel Cooper D's 1.6-litre is gone in favour of a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel delivering 84kW and 270Nm, with claimed fuel economy of a frugal 3.5L/100km -- a saving of 0.3L. Transmissions for all variants are a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed auto.To see more renderings of the cabriolet, visit http://www.theophiluschin.com/?p=5694 

The new Mini arrives here early in 2014 with new efficient engines, a larger body and some changes to styling, but largely continuing with the signature design recipe. It's grown 98mm in length to 3821mm, 44m in width to 1727mm and 7mm in height to 1414mm on a 34mm longer wheelbase at 2495mm to give more cabin room and an additional 51 litres of luggage space.A slightly squarer nose and new headlights and LED taillights are the main exterior styling to the new car, but looking inside the cabin will give trainspotters clues, with the speedo and tacho moving from the massive 8.8-inch circular gauge in the middle of the dash to a more normal position in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel (with heads-up displays for upper spec variants).The bistro-table sized qauge feature remains in place, but houses audio, aircon and an optional reversing camera and satnav. But the big news is under the skin -- where the Mini debuts the new UKL platform that will in time underpin more new Minis and some new models from parent company BMW -- and under the bonnet.The Mini Cooper is powered by a turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with outputs of 100kW of power between 4500-600rpm and 220Nm of torque at a low 1250rpm, with Mini claiming a 0-100kmh time of 7.56 seconds (auto) and 7.66 (manual) and fuel economy of 4.5L/100km. The Cooper S gets a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, developing 141kW of power between 4700-6000rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1250rpm, with 0-100kmh times of 6.62 (auto) and 6.73 (manual)  and fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. The diesel Cooper D's 1.6-litre is gone in favour of a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel delivering 84kW and 270Nm, with claimed fuel economy of a frugal 3.5L/100km -- a saving of 0.3L. Transmissions for all variants are a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed auto.

It's the next Mini Cabrio, which obviously retains a folding fabric roof with glass rear window in a boxy mini shape. 

In the countdown to Halloween, Mini has released an ad that draws on well-known horror movie characters to showcase the Countryman softroader.The rear seats fit a hockey-masked villain from Friday the 13th, while another chainsaw-wielding maniac stashes his weapon in the boot and climbs in as well – both of them terrifying the young couple cowering in the Countryman.But it turns out the villians are themselves fleeing from an even more terrifying horror … 

There are already seven variants of the Mini, and you have to wonder how much further they can stretch or extend the vehicle. Latest reports suggest Mini owner BMW has found three more ways.The new Mini Cooper will be revealed mid-November simultaneously at LA and Tokyo motor shows, but the debut car may be only the first in what could be 10 different models -- including a plug-in hyrid. And there's still room for a sedan and sports car in the line-up.Mini boss Peter Schwarzenbauer revealed the family growth plans in an interview with industry journal Automotive News. “With the new ULK architecture, we currently have in mind eight to 10 models,” Schwarzenbauer said, referring to the new ULK front-wheel-drive platform that will underpin all the MINI variants plus several BMW models.The ULK platform will debut within weeks in the new Mini Cooper, but is also flexible enough to accommodate all-wheel drive as well as alternative powertrains.Schwarzenbauer also said future plans for Mini include electrification, and that a plug-in hybrid model was certainty. He also confirmed Mini is exploring the potential for a fully electric car -- similar to the Mini E concept -- but that nothing had been decided.The new Mini range is expected to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2014, and while we don't have final specification for our market, details of the available engine line-up have been released.For the first time we'll see a three-cylinder engine in the Mini Cooper, with new 1.5 litre direct-injected turbo 1.5-litre petrol and turbodiesel triples powering the volume variants, while the Cooper S will carry a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.The direct-injected 1.5-litre petrol offers 100kW/220Nm from 1250rpm (with 230Nm on overboost), the 2.0 litre develops 141kW/280Nm (with 300Nm on overboost), and the 1.5 litre turbodiesel gives you 85kW and 270Nm -- a lift of 3kW over the current engine.The 170kW achieved by the three-cylinder unit as used in the BMW i8 suggests that somwhere around 226kW is possible for the 2.0-litre John Cooper Works models -- which could see them offer competition to the hot hatch hero Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.www.motorauthority.com