2022 Mini Hardtops And Convertibles Get A Spring Freshening

It’s been two decades since Mini was reborn as a brand under the BMW Group umbrella and the classic hardtop and convertible models are now in their third-generation. Despite the current models having been in production since late-2013, BMW isn’t quite ready to completely revamp them. Instead, they will get a second mid-cycle refresh for the 2022 modely year with a variety of design tweaks and interior upgrades. 

The most notable change to the updated Minis are right up front, but no one will be mistaking this for anything but a Mini. In an era when every automaker, especially Mini’s parent company are making grilles ever larger, this update manages to achieve the seemingly impossible by making the grille both larger and less prominent at the same time. 

The perimeter of the grille has grown slightly and in most trims has a black border outside of the chrome trim surround. That black border also extends down to the lower edge of the fascia. However, the safety bar (aka front bumper) inside of the grille area is now finished in body color that contrasts with the grille opening in black. The result is smaller grille openings above and below the bumper area. Compared to the absurd twin-kidneys on the latest batch of BMW models, this is actually quite an attractive execution. 

Another difference to the fascia on all models is the absence of discrete fog lamps. The functionality of the fog lamps has been incorporated into the reworked headlamps with an additional projector that provides poor weather illumination in addition to the now standard LED headlights. In place of the fog lamps are slim vertical intakes to feed the front wheel air curtains for reduced drag. At the rear, the Union Jack tail lamps are now standard on all Minis. Along the flanks, the wheel arch trims and fender badges have also been revised. 

When the modern Mini debuted, one of the unique design elements was the availability of a contrasting roof color as an option. Now that two-tone roofs are widely available from many manufacturers, Mini has decided to up the ante with a new multi-tone roof option. It features color gradient of Soul Blue, Pearly Aqua, and Jet Black executed through a new wet on wet paint application. It’s definitely a unique new look not found anywhere else. 

Three new body colors are also being offered, Island Blue, Rooftop Grey and Zesty Yellow. The refreshed Minis also get revised wheel arch extensions and front fender badges. 

On the inside, there is a revamped dashboard design with new vents, although the circular center cluster that has become familiar in all modern Minis remains as do the toggle switch controls below it. The digital instrument cluster on the steering column that debuted on the electric Mini SE is now standard on all models. The redesigned steering wheel now also features a heating element, something long requested by Mini drivers in colder climates. The Mini driving assistant with lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control is now standard as well. 

Under the hood, everything is carryover from the base 134-hp three-cylinder turbo to the 228-hp John Cooper Works model. The battery-powered Cooper SE is also unchanged with 181-hp and 28.9-kWh net capacity from the lithium ion battery and 110-mile range.

Despite adding up to $2,000 of content to the 2022 Mini, the base Cooper sticker price only climbs by $500, starting at $22,900 for the two-door hardtop Classic. The Cooper S and SE prices are unchanged with the battery model starting at $29,900. The John Cooper Works Signature climbs by $1,000. 

Production of the 2022 Mini hardtop and convertible starts in March and they should hit dealerships later this spring.