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MINI Cooper S - best hot hatchbacks

A mid-life facelift has worked wonders on the MINI Cooper S, offering both performance and value for money

MINI Hatch - front

The MINI Cooper S has always been a high-scoring hot hatch, and the latest model is no exception thanks to a raft of tech upgrades and new personalisation options.

Using a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, the Cooper S will do 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds en route to a top speed of 146mph. Outright pace isn’t its biggest selling point though: the hot hatch is top of the class for driving fun, with its punchy engine and lively handling traits.

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MINI 2018 facelift review

The driver gets a tonne of feedback through the steering wheel, and the six-speed manual gearbox is a joy to behold; in Sport mode, the MINI will even blip the throttle for a smoother, racier experience.

A 6.5-inch colour touchscreen is now standard, as is a multi-function steering wheel to ensure the driver’s hands needn’t wander too frequently. And customised 3D-printed parts only add to the modern feel.

Top 10 best hot hatchbacks 

  1. 1. Honda Civic Type R
  2. 2. Ford Fiesta ST
  3. 3. Renault Megane RS
  4. 4. MINI Cooper S
  5. 5. Hyundai i30 N
  6. 6. Volkswagen Golf GTI
  7. 7. SEAT Leon Cupra
  8. 8. Audi RS 3
  9. 9. BMW M140i
  10. 10. Skoda Octavia vRS
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