Last updated August 4, 2026
The MINI Roadster lineup starts with the Cooper, the simple choice for top-down style and playful handling. The Cooper S adds turbocharged punch and sportier details, while the John Cooper Works is the performance model with the most power, stronger brakes, and a sport exhaust.
The Base Model trim level, represented by the Cooper, is the simplest Roadster: a playful two-seat convertible for drivers who value its style and handling more than outright speed.
Best for: Drivers who want an easygoing, open-air MINI without the harder-edged performance hardware.
Highlights
The Sport Styling trim level, represented by the Cooper S, is the sporty middle model, pairing the Roadster’s compact open-air shape with a stronger turbo engine and more aggressive visual cues.
Best for: Drivers who want noticeably quicker acceleration while keeping the Roadster playful and usable.
Highlights
Steps up from the Cooper with a turbocharged engine producing 181 hp instead of 121 hp, plus a hood scoop and Sport button.
4 in stock
The Performance trim level, represented by the John Cooper Works, is the race-inspired Roadster with the strongest acceleration, upgraded brakes, and the most serious factory performance setup.
Best for: Enthusiasts who want the sharpest and most performance-focused version of the two-seat Roadster.
Highlights
Steps up from the Cooper S with 208 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, along with Brembo front brakes, a sport exhaust, and added traction hardware.
2 in stock| Feature | Base Model | Performance | Sport Styling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Includes | Cooper0 in stock | John Cooper Works2 in stock | Cooper S4 in stock |
| Engine | 1.6-liter four-cylinder | Tuned turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder | Turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 121 hp | 208 hp | 181 hp |
| Torque | 114 lb-ft | 192 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft |
| City/highway fuel economy | 26/34 mpg | 25/34 mpg | 25/34 mpg |
| Defining sport hardware | — | Brembo front brakes; sport exhaust | Hood scoop; Sport button |
The lineup has three trims throughout its U.S. run: Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works. They form a clear ladder from the relaxed 121-hp Cooper to the 208-hp performance-focused John Cooper Works.
The Cooper is the simplest and least powerful Roadster. Its non-turbo 1.6-liter engine makes 121 hp, making it a fit for shoppers who want the open-top shape and playful handling without stronger performance hardware.
The Cooper S is the middle performance step. Throughout the Roadster’s run, it uses a 181-hp turbo engine and adds a hood scoop and Sport button for a stronger, sportier character than the Cooper.
John Cooper Works is the strongest factory Roadster. It has a 208-hp tuned turbo engine, four-piston Brembo front brakes, a sport exhaust, and added traction hardware aimed at more serious performance driving.
The main difference is power. The Cooper has a 121-hp non-turbo engine, while the Cooper S has a 181-hp turbo engine. The Cooper S also brings a hood scoop and Sport button for a more aggressive feel.
John Cooper Works raises output from 181 to 208 hp and adds four-piston Brembo front brakes, a sport exhaust, and more performance-focused traction control. Both are turbocharged, but the John Cooper Works is the sharper setup.
They share the same two-seat body, but their performance differs substantially. The Cooper has 121 hp and simpler hardware. John Cooper Works has 208 hp, stronger front brakes, a sport exhaust, and added traction control.
No. Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works all use the same two-seat, two-door body with an 8.5-cubic-foot trunk. Moving up the range changes power and performance equipment, not passenger capacity.
The Cooper is the natural fit. Its 121-hp engine is the least aggressive in the range, but it keeps the same compact two-seat shape, folding roof, active rear spoiler, and playful steering as the faster trims.
The Cooper S is the middle-ground choice. Its 181-hp turbo engine provides a clear jump over the Cooper, while its setup is less specialized than the John Cooper Works model.
John Cooper Works is the performance-focused choice. Its 208-hp tuned turbo engine, stronger Brembo front brakes, sport exhaust, and added traction hardware go beyond the Cooper S package.
Yes. The active rear spoiler is shared across Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works models. All three also use the same basic two-seat convertible body and a soft top with a glass rear window.
No. The launch-year John Cooper Works Roadster was manual-only, but an automatic transmission joined from 2013. Transmission matters when comparing used examples because availability changed during the model’s short run.