Mini 3dr review

To many, Mini is as quintessentially British as Sir Michael Caine wearing a trilby and monocle, sipping a cup of tea.

But the brand’s more recent success has been down to Germany’s BMW, which masterminded a rebirth in 2000 that has seen the small car become one of the best sellers in Britain.

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

This facelifted third generation’s styling harks back to the 1959 original, but it’s now much bigger than its miniature ancestor and competes against cars such as the Audi A1, Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza.

As ever, the Mini gets a classy interior, myriad personalisation opportunities and the promise of a fun driving experience, all in a dinky and desirable package.

There are petrol and diesel options available, along with a multitude of trim levels. 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, check out what we can offer in our new car deals.