2007 MINI Cooper Convertible Interior Review
Interior - What the Auto Press Says
Reviewers have generally mixed opinions on the 2007 Mini Cooper Convertible's four-person interior. Some feel it's stylish with comfortable space for four, while others find the retro dashboard design confusing and the quarters cramped.
Consumer Guide calls the interior a "not always successful balance of campy style" and functionality. Edmunds, however, likes the style, noting, "The design's unique mix of old-school sensibilities, new-school materials and funky chic decor still works." Automobile.com sums up both sides, commenting, "The Fisher-Price look of the speedometer and instruments might be starting to wear thin on a new crowd, but it still looks and feels right to me, much like the intimate layout between the driver and chunky three-spoke steering wheel and snug seat." Reviewers are also at odds on the quality of materials. Consumer Guide says the solid interior workmanship is "spoiled by many hard plastic surfaces," while Woman Motorist describes all materials as "high quality, just like what one finds in a BMW."
Since this is a convertible model, reviewers have plenty to say about the silence (or lack thereof) in the cabin. BusinessWeek found it impressively quiet with the top up, noting, "Cruise with the top up and conversation is easy even at 75 mph, unlike the ungodly wind din of a Miata." But, open the sunroof and drivers can kiss that quiet tranquility goodbye: "Slide the sunroof open and you can't hear what you say to yourself, much less to your passenger," the reviewer continues. Cars.com similarly notes, "Though it's quiet with the top up or down, the Convertible can exhibit unpleasant turbulence when the sunroof is open." To obstruct some of that wind, Mini offers an optional dealer-installed wind blocker.
Seating
Many reviewers find the Mini surprisingly comfortable for four passengers, but note that space is compromised by the convertible roof. Automobile.com explains, "The extended seat pan has eaten 1.6 inches of space out of the rear legroom, while elbow and shoulder room has been reduced to make room for the folding roof and its motors."
The front seats have plenty of room, according to most. "The Mini Cooper Convertible's driving position is first rate," says Autobytel. "Front seat legroom is amazing, and the seats travel far enough to comfortably hold people well over six-feet tall." Consumer Guide finds the front seats firm and supportive, but "too low for best entry/exit." Noting the number of seat adjustment controls, the Boston Globe says, "Front-seat space is as big as you want to make it." Sport seats with extra bolstering are standard on the Cooper S and also come with the Sport and Sidewalk packages.
Most see the rear seats as tight for adults. Road and Track says, "The rear seats are for kids at best," and the Chicago Sun-Times says the rear is "suited only to kids or pets." A vocal minority is a bit more forgiving, with Kelley Blue Book noting, "In the MINI Cooper Convertible the rear seats have been moved forward and offer less hip and shoulder room than in the hatchback, but two agreeable adults can squeeze in." New Car Test Drive also notes an impressive amount of headroom due to the convertible's horizontal roof and "toaster shape," which provides "adult headroom to anyone riding in either the back or front seats, something that arch-shaped body designs (such as the Beetle) do not do."
Interior Features
Edmunds says, "Just about everything you need is standard on the Cooper convertible," and most reviewers agree that it's well-equipped even in its base form. Standard features include a one-touch power top with a glass backlight, keyless entry, power windows, doors locks and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Mini also offers plenty of high-end options, such as leather upholstery, a premium Harmon/Kardon stereo and a navigation system.
Minis are also known for being endlessly customizable with interior color and trim combinations. New for 2007 is a special Sidewalk package that adds several special touches to the interior. Features include English Malt Brown leather upholstery and gearshift, two-tone sport leather multifunction steering wheel with cruise control, chrome line interior, a center armrest, automatic air conditioning, sport seats and a Harmon/Kardon HiFi sound system. The Sidewalk package also adds subtle exterior features.
Reviewers aren't thrilled about the Cooper convertible's quirky dashboard and controls, which are virtually identical to the hatchback. "It has a speedometer the size of a dinner plate smack dab in the middle of the dash, exactly where you'd find the radio in a normal car. Switches are in all kinds of weird spots," says Woman Motorist. Consumer Guide even notes the large speedometer as a safety issue, saying its position in the center of the dash forces the driver to take his or her eyes off the road. Edmunds points out several ergonomic flaws, including "a missing clock, and a missing armrest between the front seats," and again mentions the "massive speedometer that's placed in the middle of the dash. Too far over for a quick glance."
Stereo and Entertainment
The convertible comes standard with a CD player with six speakers and automatic speed volume control. Optional is a Harmon/Kardon CD system with eight speakers that doesn't have a subwoofer, but "puts out solid bass," says CNET, adding, "We were impressed by the overall rich sound, from deep bass to clear highs, of which the audio system was capable." A six-CD changer, auxiliary audio input and Sirius Satellite or HD Radio are available as dealer-installed options.
Cargo
Though the convertible's cargo capacity is small, most feel it makes good use of the available space through a large trunk opening and folding rear bench seat. "Driving a convertible usually means that you forfeit most usable cargo space (making it tough to take off on spontaneous road trips), but Mini designers took a creative approach to this dilemma," says Edmunds.
With the rear seats in use, the Mini's trunk measures 5.8 cubic feet with the top down -- figures that Consumer Guide calls "miniscule." Motor Trend finds the trunk only large enough for "a couple of dufflebags, unless you fold the rear seats," and Edmunds says it can hold "maybe a half-dozen grocery bags." Folding the 50/50-split rear seats expands cargo space to 21.4 cubic feet. But Consumer Guide says the seats don't fold entirely flat and instead "rest several inches above load floor." With the rear seats down, CNET says the Mini works as "a small hauler."
Cargo storage is also aided by several special features, including the trunk lid's ability to open downward on external hinges like a tailgate. The rear section of the roof (a secondary gate) also lifts at a 35-degree angle to allow loading long items through the folded rear seats. Plus, BusinessWeek notes that the convertible has a clear cargo advantage over the hatchback just by virtue of having an open top: "You couldn't carry a surfboard, Beach Blanket Bingo style, stuffed in the back seat of a sedan. You can in the convertible."
Unfortunately, the Mini's small size doesn't allow much in the way of cockpit storage, which reviewers see as tight. Consumer Guide notes "large door map pockets" as the only standout feature and points out that the center console cup holders are only large enough for 12-ounce cans.
