It’s 20 years since the first BMW-built Mini rolled off the line at Oxford, and as part of the many celebrations Mini has performed a nip and a tuck on the third generation Mini Hatch line-up.

PROS:

+ Signature go-kart like handling

+ Premium interior and infotainment

+ Great build quality

CONS:

- Tiny back seats and boot

- Limited cabin storage

- Cooper S isn’t as fun as Ford Fiesta ST

Verdict: The Mini Hatch is still one of the most fun to drive offerings of the supermini segment and this facelift has done nothing to dampen its grip-for-days handling, but space is still painfully tight in the back.

2021 Mini Hatch: the five minute read

In the next year the number of modern Minis produced will exceed that of the original: today there’s one built every 67 seconds. It’s safe to say it’s been a success story for BMW, despite all those cries 20 years ago that a German brand would ruin the British icon.

The last petrol engine Mini will be launched in 2025 so time’s ticking for anyone who wants to experience one without battery power, and to get the current third generation to the 2025 line the Mini Hatch has gone under the surgeon’s scalpel.

Competition in the supermini segment is fierce, despite the huge popularity of SUVs small cars still sell in bundles in the UK, which means this latest Mini has to hold its own against mega-sellers like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo, as well as premium superminis like the Audi A1.

Most of the updates regard the styling, especially at the front where we see a bigger and lower grille surrounded by black trim and slashed by a body-coloured bar. The signature headlights remain but are now surrounded by black instead of chrome, while a choice of five new wheels and three new paint jobs freshen up the options list.

On the inside the changes are small but welcome, not least the new steering wheel which comes licked in leather as standard across the range and hosts functions like voice control and media volume via some attractive-looking piano gloss panels on the spokes.

Perhaps most noticeable is an upgrade on the infotainment system which has grown to 8.8-inches as standard and is basically a Mini-specific version of the BMW iDrive system, which means it’s slick and intuitive. Although its landscape screen looks a bit like a letterbox housed in the circular fascia. The bezel on said fascia lights up in different colours depending on the drive mode or infotainment menu you’re in, which is a premium touch.

While the modern Mini doesn’t look all that mini on the road, it lives up to its name when it comes to rear passenger space. Kids probably won’t complain about legroom but adults definitely will, especially on long journeys. That said, getting in and out of the back seats in the three door version isn’t as awkward as you might expect, and headroom is ample thanks to the Mini’s high roofline.

It’s a similar story when it comes to the boot, which remains unchanged at 211-litres and falls well short of the Ford Fiesta’s 292-litres.

The engine line-up also hasn’t changed, which is no bad thing because there’s a variety of quality units to be had. The range starts with the characterful 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol which produces 102bhp in the entry Mini 3-Door Hatch. In the Cooper the same engine is tuned to 136bhp. A 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol good for 176bhp powers the Cooper S, while a 234bhp version is found in the hot John Cooper Works model.

The Mini’s best attribute has always been the way it drives, and this facelift has done nothing to lose the Mini’s trademark point-and-shoot steering and grippy cornering abilities. It feels fast and infectious, in any engine. That said, the Cooper S still isn’t as engaging as the comparably priced Ford Fiesta ST, not least because it falls well short on the Ford for power.

With prices starting at £16,605 for the 3-Door Hatch the 2021 Mini represents good value for money, although there’s more bang to be had for your buck from rivals like the Fiesta ST and Polo GTI is you’re looking for more power and driving thrills.

Still, the new Mini still hits the key notes which have made it such a success so far and is one of the most characterful cars in the segment. That, coupled with its customisable and fashion-forward options list means it’s still at the top of its class.

For great Mini deals clicks here

Extended read…

2021 Mini Hatch interior and infotainment

The Mini Hatch has never suffered from a lacklustre interior, and this facelift continues the appealing blend of superb build quality, premium materials and a first class infotainment system.

Soft and squidgy plastics meet your fingers everywhere they go, as well as places they don’t usually, such as the top of the dashboard. Piano black trim has been strategically added to places like the infotainment system circular housing and air vents, replacing the outdated chrome styling of the old model.

A new leather sports steering wheel comes as standard across the range that also uses piano black instrument panels to control things like media volume and voice control: it’s a welcome touch which dials up the premium feel of the cabin.

Also new is the ambient lighting package, delivers some flair and can be switched from ‘Lounge’ mode, which features a calming blue colour palette, or ‘Sport’, which turns things a more purposeful red.

The interior matches the build quality of cars like the Audi A1 or VW Polo but offers much more character, and it outstrips that of the Ford Fiesta across the board.

The only slight let down is the 5-inch digital driver display, which feels a little bolted-on in its position above the steering wheel.

That’s countered by a new 8.8-inch infotainment screen which lives in the circular central display and boasts excellent graphics and is very simple and easy to use. It’s a tweaked version of the BMW iDrive system, which is one of the best in the business, and hosts a range of useful information.

Adding a Navigation Plus Pack brings with it a head-up display and wireless phone charging. The sat nav display takes some getting used to but once you’ve got your head around it, it works well.

Buy a new or used Mini

2021 Mini Hatch practicality and boot space

While the front of the cabin feels open and spacious it’s limited on storage space. There is a clever phone holder integrated with the arm rest but the door bins are tiny and the glove box doesn’t help much either.

In the back things don’t get any better, legroom is cramped compared to rivals like the Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza. Two adults would find a long journey tiring on the knees, but small children wouldn’t find it a problem.

Because of the Mini’s high roofline headroom is not an issue at all, it’s very generous.

The boot is also a let-down at 211-litres. It’s resoundingly beaten even the Ford Fiesta’s 292-litres and embarrassed even further by the Seat Ibiza’s 355-litres. While the Mini’s boot will just about hold a big shop, you wouldn’t want to be taking it away for a week’s holiday, unless the back seats were not occupied.

2021 Mini Hatch engines

The range starts with a characterful 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol which produces 102bhp in the entry Mini 3-Door Hatch. In the Cooper the same engine is tuned to 136bhp. A 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol good for 176bhp powers the Cooper S, while a 234bhp version is found in the hot John Cooper Works model.

In terms of the numbers which count, the lower powered 1.5-litre engine will shove the 3-Door Hatch from 0-62mph in 10.1-seconds and return 57.6mpg. The higher powered model does the sprint in 7.9-seconds and returns 56.6mpg.

The Cooper S does 0-62mph in a lively 7.2-seconds, but that’s still nearly a second slower than the similarly-priced Fiesta ST. And it returns around 44mpg.

Build your dream car

2021 Mini Hatch driving

The 2021 Mini is an extremely fun car to drive. Thanks to its short steering rack it dive-bombs into corners and obeys your every input on the steering wheel with enthusiasm. It’s become a cliché to say the Mini has go-kart like handling, but it really does.

The lower powered 1.5-litre engine can feel a little light on power on faster roads but around town still has more than enough pep, so if you’re buying the Mini as a second car you should think about this model. If you want the perfect all-rounder we recommend optioning the 136bhp version, it has plenty of guts both in town and on the motorway.

The Cooper S has plenty of on-demand power thanks to its torquey engine and when you get it on an empty B-road it’s truly a joy to drive. It doesn’t offer quite as much back as the Fiesta ST in terms of speed and feedback from the wheels, but it grips beautifully and attacks corners in a way that makes you smile from ear to ear.

New for this facelifted Mini is a passive damping system, which means you no longer alter the damping via the drive modes. The system softens automatically when the car drives over bumpy ground, returning to the harder setup once the road smooths out. It seems to work well, with jolts dealt with nicely, but the default setting is always on the firm side. As it should be, being a Mini.

Interested in buying a MINI?

Find used MINI