Verdict: Pushes the MINI brand straight into the white-hot competitive space of the family car market.
What’s hot?
– Despite the extra length and height performance matches the 0-62mph sprint of the 3-door Cooper S at just 6.8secs for the paddle-shift auto gearbox while and a top speed of 142mph is just 4mph down on the smaller car. Likewise, fuel consumption is also similar with a claimed combined consumption of just 46.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 128g/km.
– Six speed Steptronic automartic gearbox is very rapid both up and down the gears delivering nice little pops and crackles through the exhaust on the over-run.
– Like its smaller 3-door stablemate the ride is surprisingly compliant even in Sport mode, while the Midi or Green modes also radically alter the nature of the car for longer, more economical, journeys.
– The MINI brand feel is very evident in all models and takes on a more grown-up feel in the luxurious MINI YOURS full leather upholstered option. It also takes all the technology launched with the smaller car including a large central dial multimedia computer monitor allowing for three modes of car set-up using adaptive suspension and engine calibration, plus access to MINI Connected for navigation, entertainment and Bluetooth connectivity for both phone and audio.
– A pop-up adjustable heads-up display allows easy reading of speeds and navigation without taking the driver’s eyes off the road.
– The increased roof height adds a more sit-up-and-beg look to the car which, some would argue, better echoes the shape of the original Alex Issigonis designed Mini.
What’s not?
– The extra length to the wheelbase, now at 2,567mm, is noticeable on the car which does not feel quite as lively a handler as the smaller Hatch.
– Rear passenger space, while bigger, still places the new third seat over the car’s front-to-back console which has to be straddled by the third person and would be uncomfortable for long trips.
– The extra driver’s side visor still feels very much an after thought to a car that has had so much time and money invested on design.
– You have to pay for space with the MINI and the Cooper S’s starting price from £20,750 seems a bit steep compared to its smaller brother, especially when you calculate the cost per millimetre of the Hatch should see the five-door priced at around £19,200 to represent like-for-like value.