Key Facts
Model tested: Mini One Convertible 1.6 2dr
On the road price: £14,985
Road tester: Rhian Angharad Jones
Date tested: June 2010

First UK drive
Since the new Mini Convertible was introduced in 2009, it's proved a huge success in the UK. But until now it's only been available as a Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works. Priced at just under £15,000, the One Convertible offers all the kudos of an open-top Mini without the hefty price tag.

Powered by the same 1.6-litre Valvetronic engine as the hatch and Clubman, the One Convertible produces 98bhp, is capable of going from 0-62mph in 11.3 seconds and has a top speed of 112mph.

On the country roads of our test route outside Oxford, it felt a little underpowered and the tall gearing meant constant gear changing was necessary to get the most out of the engine. It just didn't offer the fun factor we've come to expect from a Mini.

But around town and on the motorway, the One Convertible is in its element - the ride is comfortable, the steering is responsive and it even has a satisfying exhaust note.

With the canvas roof down - it can be retracted in 15 seconds, at speeds of up to 20mph - it's not immune to wind buffeting, especially at higher speeds. But the roof can be folded down completely or just enough to form a make-shift sunroof, making the One Convertible a genuinely usable car.

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Throw in combined fuel economy of 49.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 133g/km, and it's not surprising Mini expects the One to become its best-selling convertible in the UK.

As you'd expect from an entry-level Mini, there isn't much standard equipment; the One comes with steel wheels, black plastic wing mirrors and cloth seats.

However, it does have air conditioning, an electric roof, Dynamic Stability Control, four airbags and a rear rollover bar, which activates in 15 millionths of a second should the need arise.

Like every other Mini, there's no shortage of choice of extras, colour schemes, alloy designs and seat options. Mini's Convertible Pack costs £390 and adds heated front seats, a wind deflector and the openometer, which usually costs £120 and records how long the roof has been down.

But price and value for money have never been Mini's unique selling point. The Mini One Convertible has its shortfalls - it's a little underpowered, it's under-equipped and it's not exactly spacious - but it looks good, it drives well and it's truly likeable.

As a fun, comfortable convertible that won't require a re-mortgage on the house to buy or own, the Mini One Convertible is definitely worth considering.