Mini hatchback long-term test

The Mini hatchback is consistently among the UK's best-selling small cars, but is a recent update enough to help it challenge the class leaders? We've got four months to find out...

Published29 November 2018

The car Mini Cooper 3dr
Run by Darren Moss, deputy editor
Why it’s here To see if a recent facelift is enough to elevate the Mini to small car class honours
Needs to Make urban commuting a joy, while also being comfortable and practical enough for longer motorway trips

Price £18,210 Price as tested £24,820 Miles covered 2522 Official fuel economy 54.3mpg Test economy 36.8mpg Options Navigation Plus Pack (£2000), Comfort Plus Pack (£1600), automatic gearbox (£1400), 17in Cosmos alloy wheels (£1000), darkened rear glass (£250), Mini driving modes (£200), piano black interior trim (£160)

6 November 2018 – How much luggage will it really hold?

Just how much can the Mini hold? With a few minutes spare and a small army of carry-on suitcases at the ready, I decided to find out.

Well, first things first. Without removing the parcel shelf or sacrificing any rear seat space, the answer is a disappointing one suitcase – barely enough for a weekend away. Remove the parcel shelf and that figure doubles to two, while removing both the parcel shelf and the variable-height boot floor allows you to carry four – the same as the Audi A1 Sportback but one behind the big-selling Ford Fiesta.

But now for the serious stuff: if you can leave most of the family at home, thereby freeing up all but the front seats, eight carry-on suitcases will nest quite neatly in the back of the Mini. And if you’re prepared to block your rear view as well, a ninth suitcase can sit on top of the pile. That’s useful to know if I decide on a weekend trip to a DIY superstore – or if I ever need to flee the country.

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