2020 Mini Convertible Reviews

Is Mini planning to revive the spirit of the classic old Moke as a Subaru Outback or Crosstrek Wilderness-style off-road-focused offshoot of future SUVs and crossovers? This might be one of the very intriguing directions the German-owned British brand could be headed in, starting with the third-generation, U25-series Countryman launching in Australia next year.

This is the 2024 Mini Cooper Electric. It possesses all the fundamental styling cues beloved by fans of the brand – from the round headlights, upright turret with a floating roof, a long wheelbase with wheels tucked in each corner for tiny overhangs front and rear, and a low, stout stance.

It’s a case of in with the new and… in with the old as well. Starting next year, there will be two dramatically distinct Mini Coopers from BMW.

The much-anticipated Mini Countryman Electric has just had its covers pulled off it in Munich – and BMW is expected to pull no punches when it comes to pricing and positioning. Confirmed for Australia sometime early in the third quarter of next year (meaning July or August, 2024), this third-generation version is the first to go full battery electric vehicle (EV).

BMW has finally pulled the covers off its long-awaited and much-leaked next-generation Mini range – well, at least part of it.

Mini's next-gen icon has been seen in the US without any disguise as its official debut approaches.

One of motoring’s oddballs will soon meet its end as the Mini Clubman’s time in the brand’s stable comes to a close for the second time since its first introduction in 1969.

Mini does not offer a schedule of capped-price servicing in the traditional sense, but covers its entire range with two tiers of simple cover packages for the first five years of ownership.Like its BMW parent company, Mini has now moved to a five-year and unlimited kilometre warranty from its previous three-year promise, and includes roadside assistance for the first three years for its mainline combustion range.Mini electric vehicles have a separate eight-year/100,000km warranty and matching roadside assist plan for the high-voltage battery, while plug-in hybrids have a six-year/100,000km warranty for their high-voltage battery as well as a matching roadside assist program.All current combustion Mini vehicles, which includes the three- and five-door versions of the Cooper hatch, the Countryman SUV, and Clubman wagon, can be covered by the ‘Mini Service Inclusive’ package which costs $2020 regardless of model and covers the first five years or 80,000km of servicing.The same coverage lasts up to six years for the Cooper SE electric hatch, costing just $1450 for the entire period.Like BMW, Minis have computer-calculated condition-based service intervals, so the number of visits in that period will be determined by the car.The basic package covers oil and filter changes, vehicle checks, as well as brake fluid and spark plug replacements where required.The 'plus' cover package which is less transparent on price, includes some expirable items that are not usually included in capped-price service programs like brake pads, wiper blades, and clutch discs and plates.Interestingly, the packs can also be purchased for used vehicles, with coverage starting from $3410 for a car with the standard engine option, or $3795 for a JCW package car, covering six years or 80,000km.The 'plus' cover is model and location dependent, so it is hard to determine how it compares to rivals, although Mini says the packs carry a 20 - 25 per cent discount compared to servicingn as-you-go.In summary: Mini’s service packs are a welcome peace of mind for buyers to match its now more competitive warranty terms. There is still a question mark over the total cost of ownership for vehicles on a pay-as-you-go scheme, obfuscated further by the condition-based service intervals, although points must also be awarded for the ability to buy service packs for used cars and the relative affordability of owning the electric Cooper. 7/10*Basic cover pack onlyIf you want to find out more about a specific manufacturer's capped price servicing, please see below:

Details of the next generation of Mini's electric cars are here, with new names, better range figures, and a renewed focus on fun driving at the core of the brand's shift to electrification.

Fiat has finally revealed pricing of its highly-acclaimed 500e electric vehicle (EV), undercutting obvious rivals like the Mini Cooper SE.