Review: 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible – Upgraded In Every Way But One

DimON · 2025-04-14T09:03:00Z

It was one of those perfect Savannah days — sun high, top down, and not a cloud in sight. Ideal conditions to meet the updated 2025 MINI JCW Convertible. At first glance, it’s a subtle refresh. But look closer — or better yet, drive it — and the improvements become clear. With 280 lb-ft of torque (a 45 lb-ft jump), revised chassis tuning, and a dual-clutch transmission that finally delivers, this is a better open-top JCW in almost every measurable way.

Almost. Because while the performance is up, engagement has taken a hit. The manual transmission — once a core part of MINI’s soul — is gone. And for all the speed and polish this JCW now offers, it’s hard not to miss the extra layer of connection that used to come with a third pedal.

The Upgrades: Where It Hits

Let’s start with the good, because there’s a fair bit of it. Under the hood lies the familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, now producing a stout 280 lb-ft of torque. That’s not just a spec-sheet flourish — it delivers genuine urgency from just 1,500 rpm. The result is a car that pulls on on-ramps not that different than the last generation JCW Clubman with its’ 331 ft lbs. It’s quick in a way that finally matches the badge.

The front end feels slightly more eager than before, thanks to a slightly wider track, wider tires and stiffer chassis (thanks to revised bracing under the car). While the suspension has been tweaked over the previous JCW Convertible, the differences are subtle.

It’s still heavier than it should be (3,307 lbs, to be precise), but the increased torque and sharpened dynamics keep it feeling alive.

Even the much-maligned 7-speed dual-clutch transmission has grown into itself. In Go-Kart mode, it holds gears with intent, and in the transmission’s Sport mode, it fires off shifts quickly and decisively. Put them together and you have a car that’s on its toes the way a JCW should be. But where the older torque converter autos would get jerky, this revised DCT is smooth at every transition.

MINI’s retuned throttle response also helps — gone is the hesitation of past MINIs and even JCW. It’s an issue we’ve railed against for years and now, with this new generation of JCW, it feels like the drivetrain is finally on the same page as the chassis.

The Downgrades: Where It Stumbles

As good as the new F67 JCW is, there are still a few areas that need attention. Unsurprisingly, the biggest is the lack of a manual transmission.

Its absence isn’t just a spec-sheet omission — it’s an emotional one. The DCT may be quicker, but the car loses a layer of engagement it once offered. That loss is felt every time you flick a paddle instead of rowing your own gears.

The second issue is MINI’s steady retreat from personalization. This new generation has moved decisively away from the days of “Youification.” Customization has been pared down to paint color, a choice between a body-colored or black roof (white roofs are now gone from JCWs), two wheel options, and… that’s about it. There aren’t even interior trims to choose from. For a brand that once made self-expression a cornerstone, it now feels oddly anonymous.

Finally, there are the front brakes. MINI has ditched the previous JCW’s four-piston front calipers in favor of a simpler, more cost-effective single floating caliper design. We asked MINI USA why this change was made, and the answer was both expected and a bit surprising.

Yes, cost played a role. But what caught us off guard was MINI’s claim that braking performance remained unchanged in testing. The caliper and pad sizes are identical, meaning the same swept surface area is still engaging the rotor. Plus, the switch results in a slight reduction in unsprung mass — exactly the kind of detail that can improve responsiveness and agility on turn-in.

Does it affect the car? In reality, if we hadn’t driven an F56 JCW just days earlier, we likely wouldn’t have noticed the difference. But based on our experience, there’s a subtle change in bite and feel. Will you notice it? Probably not—unless you have an F56 JCW at your disposal. In our minds, this is a change that hurts more on an emotional level than a performance one. And since only a very (very) small percentage of JCW convertibles will ever be tracked, we’d not consider it a big loss.

Verdict: A Better JCW, a Less MINI

Top down, throttle pinned, Go-Kart mode lit — this thing still knows how to make you grin. For those claiming MINI’s lost the plot, take a drive. The 2025 JCW Convertible is the sharpest, quickest, and most composed version yet.

But with every gain in performance, a little soul slips away. The quirky charm, the personalization — gone. And the manual? Now just a memory. That visceral connection is still there, but it’s a slightly different experience without rowing your own gears.

Make no mistake—the F67 JCW is the best-driving JCW Convertible ever. But it’s also a little less engaging. Depending on what you’re looking for in your JCW, that might be more than a fair trade.