Mini hatch - TopCarNews

Mini hatch (2014 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Mini hatch is a small hatchback (although certainly not as small as it used to be) available in three- and five-door body styles. The current model is the third generation of the revitalised Mini under BMW ownership, and most models are built here in the UK.

The John Cooper Works models are performance hot hatch versions of the Mini hatch. We are building a separate page for the JCW models, so check back soon. Mini models like the Clubman and Countryman are also different vehicles rather than variations of the hatchback.

A new electric version of the Mini hatch joined the range in early 2020. We have a separate page for that model here.

The Mini hatch models get generally good to very good reviews from the UK media, with lots of praise for the car’s driving dynamics. However, it is criticised for its often kitschy and heavy-handed approach to British symbolism. This

Interestingly, the new Mini Electric model rates several points lower than the regular petrol/diesel range.

In a 2020 What Car? survey of the 50 most reliable cars in the UK up to eight years old, the petrol-engined versions of the Mini hatch ranked 43rd. Diesel versions didn’t make the top 50. In What Car?’s 2021 reliability survey, the Mini hatch was ranked sixth in the list of most reliable small cars, improving from 11th the previous year.

Key specifications

Body style: Three- and five-door hatchEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £16,605 on-road

Launched: Summer 2014Last updated: Winter 2020/21
Replacement due: approx. 2022

Image gallery

Mini three-door (2018)

Mini hatch range (2018)

Mini Cooper S Paddy Hopkirk Edition (2020)

Mini Cooper S (2018)

Mini hatch, 2018 vs. 2021

Mini Cooper (2021)

Mini Cooper S (2021)

Mini Cooper S five-door (2021)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: Cooper S 3-door hatch“Lower-spec Cooper would be our choice over the somewhat pricey Cooper S, but whatever engine or trim you go for the Mini hatchback is a great small car.”
Read review

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“The latest Mini offers the quality and driver appeal of a baby BMW, but the design is becoming caricatured.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Cooper 5-door ClassicScore: 8 / 10“The fact it remains a true driver’s car continues to set it apart from the competition.”
Read review

Autocar

Model reviewed: Cooper S Sport“The Cooper S’s 2.0-litre four is a big engine for a small car and it really tells in the abundant torque.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 5-door hatchScore: 9 / 10“Certainly, from the snug confines of the optional sport seats, it is hard to argue that the new five-door hatch is anything but a huge step forward.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Cooper Diesel auto 5-door hatchScore: 8 / 10“You’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable car to drive than a Mini with a manual gearbox. It’s such a tidy, nippy and darty car with an equally slick manual gearbox that it’s hard to recommend the auto over it unless you simply can’t drive a manual.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper SScore: 9 / 10“It shows just how appealing the Mini remains that relatively minor tweaks have kept it feeling as fresh and modern as ever. Like before, its downfalls are its price and interior space, but if you want something compact and fun, with a high-quality interior, it’s just about impossible to beat.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: 5-door hatch rangeScore: 8.2 / 10“The Mini hatchback with five doors is much more practical for families, while still being fun to drive.”
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: Five-door hatch rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Mini 5-Door is a more practical version of the Mini 3-Door with a bigger boot and more useful rear seats – but it’s still uncomfy over bumps and alternatives have more interior space.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Three-door hatch rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Mini 3-door is a small car that looks cool inside and out, and is a hoot to drive – but it’s not very comfy and options are expensive.”
Read review

Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Cooper“The CCT100 2018 Premium Supermini of the Year is improved, which means more tech and a bit more standard kit, although prices also rise. Good looks and great driving experience, but ride quality and comfort are the pay-off.”
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: John Cooper WorksScore: 8 / 10“The engine provides excellent straight-line grunt while the uprated JCW chassis is grippy and involving.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Cooper 5-door hatchScore: 8 / 10“The latest Mini Cooper is a very different hatchback to the original R50, but remains fun to drive and is more polished than ever.”
Read review

Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S five-doorScore: 9 / 10“The Mini Hatch remains a very good car. It’s fun to drive, it offers good performance, but it can also be efficient if driven carefully. In five-door form, it’s also practical.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: 5-door hatchScore: 8 / 10“The Mini five-door is exactly the car you’d expect it to be. It offers the same stylish looks and premium quality interior as the three-door, but with the added practicality of an extra pair of rear doors and a larger boot.”
Read review

Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Now available with three or five doors, the Mini Hatch is a small car with a big personality. It’s fun to drive, but not especially practical.”
Read review

Motors.co.uk

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“One thing that has been maintained since the reintroduction of the model is the ‘go-kart feel’ that has made the Mini Hatch a smart choice, especially in Cooper or Cooper S trim, which adds a more powerful engine and a sportier feel.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8.4 / 10“Iconic hatchback is rewarding to drive and own”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1499GT three-doorScore: 8 / 10“Not nearly as quick as it looks, but much cheaper to run than a Cooper S, the 1499 GT is an interesting Mini, assuming you are prepared to buy nearly-new and can live with the firm ride.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Cooper S five-doorScore: 6 / 10“We’d argue that the three-cylinder Cooper is the better car due to its sweeter ride and handling, but if you want the hot hatch experience this Cooper S mostly delivers, complete in five-door form with some useful extra practicality.”
Read review

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“What might sound like significant updates on paper don’t actually add up to a great amount in real life, but as the Mini was already such a compelling package that hardly matters. In Cooper guise this is an appealing package that offers strong performance, fantastic handling and a real sense of charm. As ever, those optional extras can soon add up though.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The One and Cooper models – on paper at least – look like the more rounded options. Still, you need to tolerate the enforced, jolly Britishness…”
Read review

What Car?

Model reviewed: 5-door hatchScore: 8 / 10“The Mini 5-door is your best bet if you’re after a small car with a posh badge. It’s refined to drive and more practical than an Audi A1.”
Read review

Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“Best Buy award removed. In our own tests, the Mini Cooper (five-door) petrol engine was found to emit more oxides of nitrogen (NOx) than would be allowed in any EU emissions regulations set in this century. The other engines we have tested pollute less.”
Read review

Safety rating

Overall rating: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2016

79%

ADULT OCCUPANT

73%

CHILD OCCUPANT

66%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

56%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Model tested: STEPTRONIC PETROL 4X2 AUTOMATIC
Date tested: February 2021

4.2 / 10

CLEAN AIR INDEX

4.6 / 10

ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDEX

3.8 / 10

GREENHOUSE GAS INDEX

Read full Green NCAP review

The Mini Cooper 1.5-litre petrol automatic received a 2.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021.

Green NCAP said: “The Mini hatch is tested here in its latest form and with the three-cylinder turbocharged 1.5 litre petrol engine. The car has a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) and a three-way catalyst and, on the whole, these work well to curb pollutant emissions.

“NO_x is especially well controlled in all tests and the GPF helps to keep particulate number down. Ammonia, NH₃, is the weak point and in the high-load highway test emissions of this unregulated greenhouse gas are high enough to negate the positive scores gained for the good control of other pollutants. Energy efficiency is unexceptional. N₂O and CH₄ are well controlled but emissions of CO₂ result in modest scores in the tests.

“Overall, the car’s indexes are consistent in all three areas of assessment and lead to a 2½ star rating.

This rating only applies to the 1.5-litre petrol automatic version of the Mini hatch, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mini hatch has received

2022

What Car? Awards – Best Small Car Interior

2021

What Car? Awards – Best Small Car Interior
Auto Trader New Car Awards – Most Fun Car to Drive

2019

Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Premium Supermini

2018

Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Premium Supermini
What Car? Awards – Best Small Car over £20,000

2017

What Car? Awards – Best Small Car over £20,000

2016

Auto Express Awards – Best Premium Small Car

2015

Auto Express Awards – Best Premium Small Car

2014

Auto Express Awards – Car of the Year + Best Premium Small Car

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Mini hatch, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Buy or lease a Mini hatch

Regardless of whether you’re looking for a new or used Mini, The Car Expert’s partners have thousands of cars to choose from

Buy a car online from your sofa.
We’ll deliver it.

We only have the best used cars for sale from selected dealers.

Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple.

The UK’s automotive search engine. All the cars in one place.

Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing.

Personal contract hire deals from Hippo Leasing.

We Finance Any Car provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Motorly provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Keyword: Mini hatch