What’s hot?
- The Cooper D is powered by a three-cylinder, 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine, with 116bhp. It might not sound much, but acceleration to 62mph takes a sprightly 9.2 seconds and the top speed is an impressive 127mph.
- Despite the keen performance, the Efficient Dynamics tweaks equal a claimed combined consumption of 78.5mpg, with CO2 emissions of 95g/km.
- Buyers will be pleased to know that the Cooper D five-door falls into the 15% company car tax band for 2014/15.
- The Cooper D’s six-speed manual gearbox is slick and the clever rev matching technology, which blips the throttle on down changes, keeps things smooth.
- Good news is that despite the longer wheelbase, the Cooper D handles like you’d expect a MINI to. The steering is precise, although sometimes inconsistently weighted. Body control is as fine as ever and body roll is virtually non-existent.
- Even in Sport mode, the Cooper D’s ride is impressively refined.
- The MINI’s driving position is comfortable and all-round vision is generally good.
- The circular centre design theme for the high quality dashboard remains, but the speedo is now relocated to a column-mounted pod along with the rev-counter.
- That extra 72mm on the wheelbase has increased the MINI’s rear room, so six-footers can now travel comfortably in the back, but access via those small rear doors is still tight.
- The five-door MINIs’ taller roofline means there’s now enough headroom.
- This MINI has a 278 litre boot, 67 more than the three-door. The extra space is noticeable and makes for a spacious load area. There is also a clever adjustable load floor available to increase practicality.
What’s not?
- Despite the fuel economy and performance, the Cooper D’s three-cylinder diesel engine feels a bit gruff both at idle and at speed.
- Only two rear passengers will be comfortable in the back of the MINI five-door. The third person will have to straddle the long centre console.