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2022 MINI Convertible Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

2022 MINI Convertible Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: Cooper vs Cooper S and John Cooper Works

What 2022 MINI Convertible Trim Should You Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

There's nothing quite like the MINI. At least not on North American roads. This sporty little car has been popular in England for decades. In fact, the original MINI cars hold a special place in British history and pop culture. The iconic MINI in its more-or-less current form first hit America showrooms in 2002.

The MINI may be small, but it's big on performance. With it's impeccable handling, It's the perfect car to zip around town in. MINI owners will seldom have trouble getting in and out of tight parking spaces. It's also a popular choice among racing enthusiasts and the American tuner culture. The MINI's highest trim level comes track-ready right from the factory.

MINI is now owned by BMW and offers all of the fine engineering and luxury appointments that the BMW brand is known for. There are numerous versions of this car, including a convertible model that is the focus of this article. The 2022 MINI Convertible will be available in three different trim levels.

Unlike many other vehicles in its class, the MINI's trim levels are more about performance than the features. Most of the same convenience features, safety features and technology can be found in all three models. Here's a closer look at the three trims and what they have to offer. All three will be compared in order to highlight their differences.

 

Compare the Cooper vs the Cooper S. What is the difference?

The MINI Convertible lives up to its name, coming in at just 152.2 inches long. This convertible is 68 inches wide and 55.7 inches tall. It has a wheelbase of 98.2 inches. The MINI Convertible weights in between 2,892 to 3,143 pounds, depending on the specific model. The MINI Convertible is only available in a 2-door configuration and can seat up to four adults.

Trunk space is minimal with a volume of just 5.7 cubic-feet. There's a total of 7.6 cubic-feet of cargo space overall. There's 39.8 inches of headroom up front and 39 inches of headroom for the rear passengers. The MINI Convertible also offers 41.4 inches of legroom for the front occupants and 30.9 inches of legroom in the second row. MINI has done a great job of giving the rear passengers almost as much room as the front row.

The base model of the MINI Convertible is simply called the Cooper. This model comes equipped with a 1.3-liter, TwinPower Turbo Engine. This is a 3-cylinder engine with direct injection and double VANOS. VANOS is a variable-valve timing system that's unique to BMW. This engine can produce 134 horsepower (hp) and 162 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque.

The MINI Cooper Convertible can get up to 60 miles-per-hour (mph) in 8.2 seconds. This trim level has an EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating of 27 miles-per-gallon (mpg) in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. All three models of this car have a fuel-tank capacity of 11.6 gallons.

The next trim level up after the base model is called the Cooper S. This trim comes with a more powerful engine and some other performance upgrades. The Cooper S is powered by a 2.0-liter, Inline-4, TwinPower Turbo Engine. This engine offers significantly more power with an output of 189 horses and 206 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration and passing power are noticeably improved here.

The Cooper S models can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. It has a fuel-economy rating of 23 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Those numbers are surprisingly close to the base model considering how much extra power this engine produces. The exterior of these two models get LED headlights and unique, Union Jack taillights. It's worth noting here that both trims are front-wheel drive and offer manual and automatic transmissions.

Virtually every interior feature comes as an option or part of a package for these two trim levels. The thing about MINIs is that they're highly customizable. Cloth or leather upholstery is offered. One can have a steering wheel wrapped in fine, Nappa Leather. The base infotainment system features a powerful stereo and high-quality speakers. There's also an 8.8-inch HD, full-color touchscreen.

Both models can have a built-in navigation system added on. There's also a premium sound-system upgrade available. This comes with 12 speakers and a more powerful stereo, all created by Harman Kardon. The popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto apps are both compatible with the stock infotainment system. It also features Bluetooth Technology for music streaming and multiple USB ports for device charging.

All three trim levels get Active Driving Assistant. This technology brings with it a number of driving-assist features. There's a Forward-Collision Warning to help prevent front crashes. Pedestrian Detection helps the driver to become aware when pedestrians are nearby. Automatic Emergency Braking kicks in when some extra stopping power is needed to avoid a collision.

Every trim level of the MINI Convertible gets Lane-Departure Warning. This helps to make sure the driver doesn't inadvertently steer too far from the safety of their own lane. There's also an optional Driver-Assistance Package with Adaptive Cruise Control and an Automatic Parking Assist.

Compare the Cooper S vs The John Copper Works. What Is the Difference?

The final and top trim level of the 2022 MINI Convertible is called the John Cooper Works. John Copper was a legendary engineer and race-car driver that helped to create the first MINI in the 1960s. When it comes to the stock convenience features, safety equipment and other options, there's no major difference between the Cooper S and the John Cooper Works.

The main difference here is again with the performance upgrades. This trim level gets a more powerful version of the 2.0-liter, I-4, TwinPower Turbo Engine. It now cranks out 228 hp with 235 lb-ft of torque. This model also gets ALL4, all-wheel drive for better handling, as well as superior performance on wet pavement or during inclement weather. The John Cooper Works also features an upgraded sports suspension.

On the inside, there's a sports steering wheel. This is an ergonomic, leather steering wheel with audio controls mounted on it for the driver's convenience. There are also paddle shifters, similar to those found on Formula-1 race cars, for fast and accurate shifting. A sport exhaust adds some character to the sound of the engine.

 

Final Thoughts

When deciding which of the three trim levels to choose, there is no clear-cut winner. This will depend largely on the buyer's specific needs and personal tastes. For most buyers, the Cooper S will be their best option. The horsepower boost going from the base model to the Cooper S is well worth the cost increase. The price increase going up to the John Cooper Works, however, may not be worth it for everyone.

The John Cooper Works is best for those who want to hit the local racetracks with their MINI Convertible. Even then, someone looking to race would probably be better suited by choosing a non-convertible model. If you're the type that has to have the best performance, then the John Cooper Works may still be right for you. Everyone else should stick with the mid-tier trim level.

No matter which model is chosen, the buyer will have a car that's fun to drive. It's also quite the stylish little car with its unique European styling. The ride quality is comfortable enough, and there's a good amount of standard features here. The Cooper Convertible is a joy to drive, especially with that top down. It's sure to attract attention wherever it goes.

 
Previous Year Trim Configurations:

2021 MINI Convertible Trime Levels