The new three-door Mini hatch is more refined and fun to drive than ever, but it isn’t as practical as many of its predecessors, said Honest John. Mini no longer uses diesel engines, and the present line-up is powered by a pair of TwinPower turbo petrol motors. The entry level Mini One has a 1.5litre, three-cylinder engine giving 43.7mpg, so you should be able to drive about 380 miles on a single 40-litre tank.
Since relaunching the Mini brand in 2001, BMW has pushed the “go-kart handling” message – and true to form, the latest Mini is one of the most fun cars to drive, with safe, predictable handling, very little body roll and lots of feel through the seat and steering wheel, said Auto Express. The ride can be firm at lower speeds and on bad roads, but is better than before. The Mini now truly feels like a cut-size BMW.
The Mini’s latest facelift has left it with a “hefty” snout and “moustache-like surround”, said Top Gear Magazine. Inside, there is a terrific low seating position and an upgraded infotainment system, with an easy-to-use 8.8in touchscreen as standard, and a three-spoke high-quality leather steering wheel. Rear-seat and boot space are still poor, but the cabin is high-class, and there’s an array of exterior colours and trims available. UK price from £22,565.
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In pictures: Mini 3-door hatch
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