The MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible has been crowned The Sunday Times Car of the Year 2025, cementing its reputation as one of the most engaging and playful performance cars on the market today.
Launched earlier this year, the JCW Convertible has impressed critics and enthusiasts alike with its lively driving dynamics. Nick Rufford, Motoring Editor at The Sunday Times, praised the car’s everyday appeal, commenting, “Supercars may be more exotic, but they don’t deliver everyday thrills at circa £37,000. Climb in, slip it into Drive and the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible zooms off with puppyish enthusiasm.”
Built in the UK at MINI Plant Oxford, the JCW Convertible represents the pinnacle of MINI’s performance engineering. Compared to the Cooper Convertible C and S, this range-topper boasts increased engine output alongside finely tuned chassis and suspension upgrades, delivering class-leading agility. Rufford continued, “Show it a twisty backroad and it will slingshot through bends in a way that would have delighted John Cooper. This was the most fun out of all the cars I’ve driven this year and attracted the most admiring looks.”
Reflecting on the accolade, David Beattie, Director of MINI UK and Ireland, said, “We’re honoured that the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible has been named The Sunday Times Car of the Year 2025. It’s a proud moment for both our team and our customers, and a celebration of everything MINI stands for – playful performance, everyday versatility, innovative technology, and unmistakable design. As we head into 2026, we remain focused on delivering the feel-good factor that driving a MINI provides.”
The MINI JCW Convertible is part of the new MINI JCW family, offering a choice of fully electric or combustion powertrains across five unique models. The line-up includes the MINI JCW and JCW Electric, the MINI JCW Aceman, and the MINI JCW Countryman, catering to customers seeking maximum performance without compromising on MINI’s signature style.
