Mini 3dr review

To many, Mini is as quintessentially British as Sir Michael Caine wearing a trilby and monocle while sipping a cup of tea. Purists might see it as a shame, then, that the brand’s later success has been down to Germany’s BMW, which masterminded a rebirth in 2000 that has led to the small hatchback becoming one of the best-selling cars in Britain.

BMW has proved that buyers are willing to pay for classy small cars with a prestige badge, and the Mini 3dr hatchback follows the same successful template.

The third-generation model’s styling harks back to the original Mini of 1959, but it’s much bigger than its miniature ancestor and so competes against the likes of  the Audi A1, Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza.

There is a range of petrol engine options available to cater for anybody; 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. A multitude of trim levels also give you an endless list of personalisation, all in a dinky and desirable package. 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.

And if you want the very best deal on a new Mini, head to our New Car Buying pages to see how much money you could save off the price of your new small car. Don’t forget, there’s also the Mini 5dr hatchback and the Mini Convertible to consider.