Mini Convertible One 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The four cylinder petrol engine offers decent performance credentials for a car of this class although a more powerful engine would be appreciated by most. The maximum power output of 98 bhp at 6000 rpm with torque figures of 113 lb-ft at 3000 rpm handles city driving fairly well and a top speed of 112 mph can be achieved. Acceleration can feel a little sluggish due to the car’s weight with a 0-62 mph time of 11.3 seconds.

The handling of the car retains the high quality which Minis are known for and this makes it great fun to drive. Steering is responsive and firm but never feels uncomfortable. The engine works fairly quietly and even with the top down wind and road noise is not overly excessive thanks to great wind-blockers. Dashboard mounted heaters also help to keep occupants safe and warm when the top is down and provide a great interior environment.

The exterior of this car does not disappoint and is incredibly stylish. The interior is also fairly stylish and although this model lacks some of the modern features buyers might expect there is still a fairly decent supply of equipment on offer.

Standard equipment includes: power steering, central locking, stability control, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, rear parking sensors and an advanced stereo system with both CD and MP3 compatibility.

Additional features can be added but this is where the car starts to lose its economic value. A built-in sat nav is available for £1,345 whilst Bluetooth connectivity is priced at £295. The air conditioning can be upgraded to climate control for £235 with cruise control, alloy wheels and a leather interior priced at £175, £340 and £1,145 respectively. A metallic paint finish is also available on the exterior for an extra £340.

This four seater car offers ample space within the front, but rear passengers will be a little cramped. The seats and steering column adjust but taller drivers may find that the seat doesn’t push back far enough for their liking.

Boot space is unsurprisingly limited with just 125 litres offered when the seats are all in place. Folding the rear seats down expands this to a more practical 660 litres but this will limit the practical use of this car somewhat.

The car also suffers from poor rear visibility due to the shape of the roof but the rear parking sensors which are fitted as standard are designed to counteract this. Overall, safety levels are high in this model and the car comes with driver, passenger and front side airbags all as standard features. On top of this, the car also comes with an alarm and immobiliser already fitted, helping to protect it from theft.

Due to the brand's strong reputation, reliability shouldn’t be a problem and the model comes with a three year warranty for unlimited miles to give buyers additional peace of mind.

Priced at £15,805 this car is fairly expensive to buy considering its size and class. That being said, Mini cars are known for holding their value well and this means that it is a wise investment for those interested in long term ownership.

Running costs are also fairly manageable in the basic One model and this means that keeping the car on the road shouldn’t be too expensive. Road tax falls under a mid range band (E) due to relatively low carbon emissions of 133 g/km. Fuel economy is fairly good to keep refuelling costs low whilst insurance premiums are low under insurance group 14. The engine achieves a reasonable 49.6mpg on its combined cycle. Value for money all in all is fairly good.