The Mini hatchback has expanded – literally and figuratively – since it was relaunched in 2001. Not only has it grown in size but you’ll also find everything from convertibles and baseball cap-inspired coupés to SUVs, estates and even plug-in hybrids and electric models. But the humble hatch remains the backbone of the range, and the big news for the third-generation Mini that arrived in 2014 was you could have it with five doors. Grown-up stuff.
All this new-found versatility didn’t stop the Mini from being incredibly popular, not least because of the charming retro touches that help it to stand out among rivals.
The One uses an underpowered 101bhp 1.2-litre petrol unit, while the One D has an equally lethargic 94bhp 1.5-litre diesel. The Cooper gets a zingy 136bhp 1.5-litre petrol or a 115bhp 1.5-litre three-pot diesel, while the Cooper S has a 197bhp 2.0-litre petrol four. Performance diesel fanciers can have a Cooper SD with a 168bhp, 266lb ft 2.0-litre four. The top-rung JCW hot hatch has a 231bhp version of the Cooper S’s engine.
Click here to buy your next used Mini from Autocar
There aren’t many trim options but there are numerous packs to look for. The Chili Pack adds dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, LED headlights, additional storage and an adjustable boot floor. The Comfort Pack has heated front seats and rear parking sensors, while Comfort Plus adds a reversing camera. The Navigation Pack brings sat-nav, while Navigation XL includes a bigger infotainment screen. The Driving Assistance Pack has automatic emergency braking.
In 2018, Classic, Sport and Exclusive tiers were added to Cooper and Cooper S models, Classic being the standard version, Sport offering a firmer option and Exclusive being the posh one. The optional packs continued as before.
Under the third-gen Mini is a more rigid platform shared with some front-wheel-drive BMWs. It preserves the tight handling characteristics with which the brand is associated while adding a ride sophistication that makes this the most refined Mini yet.
Join the debate
Add your comment
How on earth is a 101bhp supermini classed as underpowered? It was only recently that a standard family hatch golf and focus came with a 99bhp 1.6 petrol, and that was perfectly adequate for family use, I know many people with such cars who have never considered their cars underpowered. Whilst it maybe a fair bit lighter than a mini, my colt cleartec had a 1.3 with 98bhp and it was quite quick and great fun, my wife's 74 bhp Mii is a brisk little thing. There seems to be an obsession with ridiculous bhp figures being necessary in all types of cars in this magazine, only recently the A1 with 197 bhp was considered a warm hatch, which is the same power as the Mk5 golf GTi which is a bigger car and a definite hot hatch.
Bizarre.
The One has had a 1.5 litre petrol engine since 2018.
You'd think Autocar might get details like that correct in a "nearly new" buying guide.