“My MINI is extremely fun to drive. There are trade offs however. There is very little cargo room and the backseat is not comfortable or roomy enough for an adult for any length of time.”
2018 MINI Convertible: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2018 MINI Convertible is a light update, led by a standard rearview camera and rear parking sensors on every trim. Otherwise, the Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works models are largely unchanged from 2017.
About the 2018 MINI Convertible
3rd generation (F57), introduced for 2016; 2018 is the third model year and the last pre-facelift year before the 2019 refresh.
MINI positions the Convertible as a premium small car that mixes open-top fun with everyday usability. It is not a two-seat roadster; its appeal is a compact four-seat layout, a power soft top that can act like a sunroof or fully open roof, quick steering, and a cabin that feels more upscale and more characterful than most small cars. Buyers choose it for style, nimble city manners, and a more playful personality than mainstream subcompact convertibles.
The Cooper is the easygoing entry point, with a 134-hp turbo engine and a power soft top that also opens partway like a sunroof. The 189-hp Cooper S brings stronger acceleration and sport seats, while the 228-hp John Cooper Works adds a sport-tuned suspension, stronger Brembo front brakes, and LED headlights.
What changed, by category
Safety
A rearview camera and rear parking sensors became standard across the Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works lineup.
2018 MINI Convertible specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Manual, 6-Spd | Manual, 6-Spd | Manual, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 37 mpg | 32 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 134 hp | 189 hp | 228 hp |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft | 207 lb-ft | 236 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 7.6 cu-ft | 7.6 cu-ft | 7.6 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 30.9 in | 30.9 in | 30.9 in |
| Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Doors | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Alarm System | |||
| Park Assist | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Fog Lights | |||
| LED Headlights | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Premium Audio | |||
| Smartphone Interface | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2018 MINI Convertible?
The main change for 2018 is that every MINI Convertible gained a standard rearview camera and rear parking sensors. The rest of the three-trim lineup remained largely unchanged from 2017.
Was the 2018 MINI Convertible redesigned?
No, the 2018 MINI Convertible was not redesigned. It was the third model year of the generation introduced for 2016 and the final year before the 2019 facelift.
Which 2018 MINI Convertible trims have a rearview camera and rear parking sensors?
All three 2018 trims have a standard rearview camera and rear parking sensors: Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works.
How do the 2018 MINI Convertible trims differ?
The Cooper has a 134-hp three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S steps up to a 189-hp four-cylinder. The 228-hp John Cooper Works is the performance model, with a sport-tuned suspension and stronger Brembo front brakes.
Is the 2018 MINI Convertible meaningfully different from the 2017 model?
Only slightly. The 2018 model’s main advantage is that the rearview camera and rear parking sensors are standard across the lineup; otherwise, the trims and overall design largely carry over.
2018 MINI Convertible Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 MINI Convertible.
4.5
2018 MINI Convertible
(77 reviews)
“The fun factor is very high. Comfort is less than a high end luxury vehicle, but is outweighed by the features and enjoyment of driving this one.”
“Love the handling, pick up and versatility - fun car, but safe and roomy for a convertible”
Sources
- press.bmwgroup.com — Detail / T0271590EN US / Model Year 2018 Mini Lineup Pricing And Equipment Updates
- press.bmwgroup.com — Detail / T0250523EN US / Mini Usa Announces Us Market Pricing For New Mini Convertible And Addition Of John Cooper Works Variant
- press.bmwgroup.com — Detail / T0240122EN US / Open Driving Excitement: Introducing The New Mini Convertible
- minimedia.iconicweb.com — Mediasite / Attachments / F57 JCW Ordering Guide