Mini review

The Mini 3dr is as British as Sir Michael Caine wearing a trilby and monocle when he's sipping a cup of tea, although purists might be disappointed that the brand’s recent success has been down to BMW.

The German manufacturer masterminded its rebirth at the turn of the century, making it one of the best-selling cars in the UK. It proved that buyers are willing to pay for a classy small car with a prestige badge, and the three-door Mini hatchback we're looking at here follows the same successful template.

This face-lifted third-generation model (of the 'new' Mini) has styling that harks back to the fifties original but is much bigger than its little ancestor. In fact, it's large enough to compete with the Audi A1, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, and comes in a multitude of trim levels to give you lots of scope for personalisation. And it's still a relatively dinky package and hugely desirable.

There's a range of petrol engines so it should be able to cater for most people's driving needs. The entry-level One engine will suit the everyday city-goer, while those who crave more oomph will prefer the Cooper S. There's also the fully juiced-up John Cooper Works for a hot-hatch driving experience.

If you’re looking to ditch petrol altogether and join the electric car revolution, there’s the battery-powered Mini Electric to consider too – you can read all about that zero exhaust pipe emissions version if you hit the link. We also have separate reviews of the Mini 5dr hatchback and the Mini Convertible.

Sticking with the Mini 3dr hatchback, read on over the next few pages to get our in-depth impressions, along with our recommendations for which trim level and engine to pick. We also have comparisons with the key rivals you might be considering.

If you do decide you want a Mini 3dr, we can help you find the very best deal on a new one – simply search the free What Car? New Car Buying service, which has the latest prices on nearly every make and model of new car, including some very attractive new Mini deals.