What’s hot?
- Excellent six speed gear box now joined by an even more efficient six speed auto, with stop-start standard on both.
- The company car tax rate of 13% will cost a basic rate tax payer just £35 a month in company car tax.
- Combined mpg of 80.7…
- …yet the powerful, flexible, 1.5 litre engine never lacks for real world pulling power.
The interior is transformed. It feel much more premium, much more like a BMW in fact - Greatly increased technology, especially if you start selecting options like heads-up display, park assist and media pack, although the DAB radio is a welcome bit of standard kit, as is the rotary i-Drive controller, a first in this segment.
- Interior quality has shot up a whole class to BMW levels.
- It’s quieter on the move by a significant 4 decibels.
- The ride is better over poor surfaces…
- …but not at the expense of trademark, go-kart handling.
- Easy to drop back seats now split 60/40 instead of 50/50, extending luggage to a potential 731 litres.
- Greatly enhanced connectivity and Android/iPhone apps.
- Brilliant sports seats worth every penny.
- Noticeably better compliance on poor surfaces, although the ride is still firm.
What’s not?
- Styling still seems fussy next to the original, classic Mini, particularly where the grill is interrupted by the bumper.
- Arm rest is badly in the way of the hand brake.
- Boot remains tiny at 211 litres, with the seats up.
- Not everyone thinks the giant speedo in the middle of the dash should have been replaced by an infotainment screen.
- Option packages still awkward – if you want the sports seats you have to have the bigger wheels, unless willing to go outside the packages, which are good value compared with a bespoke selection.
