Mini Roadster Cooper 2dr Car Review - February 2012

The Mini Roadster is based on the success that the Mini has received since the brand was relaunched, and the fun handling from the hatchback is certainly present in spades in the Roadster. Steering has plenty of feedback and is quick and responsive going into the corners, although the ride is quite firm, and many people may find it to be a little too bumpy. Although the driving position is good, once you take the top down there isn't much air deflection and the driver can be buffeted by the wind.

The best driving experiences will be supplemented by a good engine under the bonnet, and the 1.6 litre turbo which is to be found in many Minis help the Roadster accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds. The top speed is a quick 124mph, and although it may be very windy to drive that quickly with the top down, it would certainly be a lot of fun.

The Mini Roadster is certainly one of the most attractive cars in the Mini range, and many will prefer the funky retro styling to rivals such as the Mazda MX-5. Once you get inside the cabin, the large speedometer mounted on the centre console is an interesting talking point, and also makes the dashboard appear less cluttered, although the layout of buttons can be quite confusing for some people.

In terms of the equipment that is included, it is worth noting that the Mini will often have a very basic level of equipment, with many features only available as optional extras. The Roadster comes with air conditioning included as standard, and it also has a set of 15” alloy wheels included with this version of the Roadster. Although leather seats are certainly a desirable extra, the interior is comfortable and the push button starter and sports button also mean that drivers have an easy driving experience.

There is no doubt that the Roadster is not a particularly practical car when compared with hatchbacks or even the Mini Coupe, but this isn't really why people will consider this car. A 240 litre boot is quite a reasonable space for a vehicle of this side, but the fabric roof means that it really isn't the safest car to leave unattended in urban areas.

Although the Roadster is yet to undertake the Euro NCAP safety test, it can be confirmed that it is installed with five airbags, and also has a number of driver aids that help to keep the car on the road.

The Mini Roadster Cooper has a list price of £18,015 and can also boast some very good fuel economy, with an average 49.6mpg from the 1.6 litre engine. The insurance group is fairly low, meaning that premiums won't be exorbitant, and depreciation on the whole Mini range has always been strong, meaning that selling the car won't be a painful experience. The vehicle is also supplied with a competitive three year warranty, which is fairly typical of what is on offer from cars in this class.