 |
| Click here to watch the complete review of the 2017 Mini Cooper S Convertible from Bumper2Bumpertv |
1. DESIGN & PET ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES
The convertible has sufficient
legroom in the front, but hardly any in the rear. So it is only convenient to
put an extra small pet carrier on the floor in the front, but not in the rear.
The car still is low enough for small animals to climb in and out, however
since there are only two doors, this makes it much more challenging when
accessing the rear. Ventilation is plentiful with the roof up so that cabin
temperatures remain steady, and of course dogs enjoy the feel of the wind in
their face while riding with the roof down.
2. PET CABIN CAPACITY:
Due to the design, the back seat only has enough space for up to two small size dogs to rest comfortably. However, there is not enough space to put a carrier on the floor, or for people and luggage to also fit alongside both dogs in the back seats. The cargo space is completely enclosed and ranges from 5.7 cubic feet with the roof down to 7.6 cubic feet with the roof up.
3. HAIR STAIN REMOVAL, & SCRATCH RESISTANCE:
The S convertible we reviewed came with Chesterfield leather seat coverings which is a luxury, but also sensitive and unforgiving to dog and cat claws, not to mention harder to clean and expensive to repair.
4. HANDLING & SAFETY FEATURES:
Even with front wheel drive this mini handled and maneuvered extremely well, especially when driving on wet pavement. It’s remarkably suited for urban areas, especially when it comes to parking, and is a sporty ride on the open road.
5. PERFORMANCE & TOWING CAPABILITIES:
The Mini Cooper S has a 2.0L twin turbo engine; 189 HP; 207 lb-ft, and while it’s a dream to drive, it’s not enough to hitch and tow a trailer. The car performs well when it comes to fuel as its average performance is 29 mpg for city and highway driving combined.
The perfect paws on wheels rating is 25 out of 25. Overall the 2017 Mini Cooper S Convertible received a score of 12/25 which results in a 3 Paw-Friendly rating
1. Firstly, the design of the Mini Cooper S Convertible was not made for people with pets. There is limited space all around (front, rear, and cargo) and the two door coupe doesn’t make it easy for pets to access. This is why we deducted 3 Paws from the Design & Pet Accessibility Features category.
2. Secondly, the cargo space is so limited that it doesn’t provide much value to the average pet owner who’s also transporting accessories like cages, beds, and bowls in addition to their luggage. This is why we deducted 4 Paws from the Pet Cabin Capacity category.
3. Thirdly, the leather seat coverings are a nice addition to the overall ambiance, but not conducive to resisting pet scratches and stains. This is why we deducted 3 Paws from the Hair/ Stain Removal, & Scratch Resistance category.
4. Fourthly, the convertible’s handling abilities are profound and make the car fun to drive. But since this is a convertible and meant to be driven with the top down, this can be a safety hazard while animals are in the car which is why we deducted 1 Paw from the Handling & Safety Features category.
5. Finally, this Mini Cooper is built for power with a 2L engine and 189 HP. And while the car’s fuel capacity is considered above average, it is not compatible for towing which is why we deducted 2 Paws from the Performance & Towing Capabilities category.
Final score of 12/25 results in a 3 Paw-Friendly rating
According to Bumper2Bumpertv, whlie the Mini Cooper S Convertible is not that much bigger than a go-kart on steroids, it could still be described as a lot of fun in a small package. Nevertheless this small package is exactly that, small, and only suited for small pets and short journeys.
No comments:
Post a Comment