In this article:
Who is the Mini hatch a good car for?
What is the Mini hatch like to drive?
Tech features in the Mini hatch
Similar cars to the Mini hatch
Is the Mini hatch a good car?
Sometimes, it's hard to believe that the modern MINI has been around for three generations and in production since 2000. When BMW acquired Rover, they sought to reintroduce the classic Mini formula, reinventing it for the modern age. The third generation has had two facelifts and equipment updates, the most recent in September 2021. It continues to sell well, and those who have chosen the MINI positively love them.
Who is the Mini hatch a good car for?
The young-at-heart, vibrant and energetic will naturally gravitate towards the retro styling of the MINI hatch. As it's now available with 5 doors, even the younger family can justify the purchase of a modern MINI.
Is the Mini hatch a good first car?
The new Mini makes a great first car. Whether you've just passed your test or are looking to buy your first car, the Mini, while a little pricey, makes sense. It's compact size, and modern controls make it easy to drive and live with. It offers a reasonable amount of practicality, and the safety is top-notch.
Is the Mini hatch a good family car?
While there are more practical offerings, the Mini can work for small families or those with slightly older children who no longer require prams or nappy bags. The 3-door versions give you 211-litres of boot space, extendable to 731 litres when you fold the rear seats forward. The 5-door model is a little more generous with 278-litres in standard form and offers slightly less when the seats are folded down with 719-litres available.
Is there a Hybrid Mini hatch?
While there is no hybrid offering, the MINI Cooper SE is a full-electric offering that produces 135 kW and 270 Nm torque from its electric motor. The battery is a 32.6 kWh unit that provides a range of 217 km on a single charge.
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What’s it like to drive?
Reviewer's opinion
"Hopping on board the Cooper 3-door after lunch we found ourselves thinking that this is the best of the Mini range, with a rorty 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 100kW and 220Nm of torque and a is paired with a 7-speed automatic gearbox, allowing for a 0-100km/h time of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h.The Cooper 3-door offers reasonable value, solid performance, good fuel consumption and has no illusions of being a practical four-seat hatchback. The rear seating room is simply too small, and the 211-litre boot is insufficient, however, if the rear seats are folded flat, there is a usable 731-litres of space, making the vehicle practical for two users."
- Sean Nurse, AutoTrader
Read the full Mini hatch review
What does it look like?
Exterior
Interior
What is the MINI hatch like inside?
Oversized controls and design elements help make the MINI feel like a significantly larger vehicle inside. By scaling up the likes of the infotainment unit, one is given the impression that you've shrunk in size; a novel sensation at first. The current MINI is packed with the latest technology and driver assistance systems and the overall trim level is exceptionally high with all surfaces presenting a premium look and feel.
Style
The modern MINI may not physically be as small as the original Mini but that doesn't stop it from looking the part. Large, round headlights with integrated turn signals are LED equipped across the range and the rear combination lamps have a stylistic nod to the original Mini by incorporating the Union Jack flag into the design. The wheels are set wide and in each corner, as they should be in a Mini.
Tech features
- Adaptive LED headlights
- 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment
- Ambient lighting
- 5-inch digital driver display
- Navigation and Apple CarPlay (Connected Navigation Package)
Price and specs
Which is the cheapest MINI hatch?
Pricing for the MINI hatch range starts with the MINI One Hatch 3-door that retails for R444 909 before options. The 5-door model costs slightly more, coming in at R455 965.
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How much does it cost?
| Model | Price |
| MINI One Hatch 3-door | R444 909 |
| MINI One Hatch 5-door | R455 965 |
| MINI Cooper Hatch 3-door | R521 109 |
| MINI Cooper Hatch 5-door | R521 565 |
| MINI Cooper S Hatch 5-door | R599 624 |
| MINI Cooper S Hatch 3-door | R599 624 |
| MINI Cooper S Hatch 3-door Resolute Edition | R609 124 |
| MINI Cooper S Hatch 5-door Resolute Edition | R619 724 |
| MINI John Cooper Works Hatch 3-door | R701 438 |
| MINI Cooper SE Hatch 3-door | R723 000 |
| MINI Cooper SE Hatch 3-door Resolute Edition | R726 300 |
*Pricing correct at time of publishing and subject to change without notice.
Competitors
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BMW 1 Series
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Volkswagen Golf GTI
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