Mini Cooper

The days when all compact hatchbacks had room for five are gone – four-seaters are becoming increasingly common. While large models such as the Mercedes CLS, BMW X6 and VW Passat CC have two rear seats for style, comfort and image, in smaller cars the premise is usually more practical. Rather than squeeze three in the back with a lapbelt for the centre passenger, designers prefer to fit two rear seats with full three-point belts.

One such car is the MINI. Despite the heritage of its badge, the BMW-owned British model is one of the largest superminis around. It’s not made to take five, however – and even the two occupants who are catered for in the rear have surprisingly little space.

Still, because there’s no middle seat, passengers aren’t squashed against the sides of the car, so at least there’s ample shoulder space. And, according to our tape measure, there’s 600mm of rear legroom – that’s only 20mm less than in the Mazda 6 hatchback.

Lift the tailgate and you’ll find the MINI suffers more practical shortcomings. As the boot is only 380mm long, load capacity is a mere 160 litres with the rear seats in place. So versatility isn’t a strong point – but customers don’t buy this car for its storage. Instead, it’s the MINI’s driving experience that wins people over. While the flagship Cooper S tends to steal the limelight, the appeal of the cheaper, naturally aspirated Cooper shouldn’t be underestimated.

From a standstill with two passengers in the car, we completed the sprint from0-60mph in an impressive 9.0 seconds. And adding another two people increased the time by only 1.4 seconds.

Emissions are also low, as the MINI benefits from BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme, which brings the engine to an automatic stop when the car is stationary. The 128g/km CO2 output places the three-door in road tax band C, making it one of the most competitive models here.

So the MINI’s engine is strong and comparatively clean – and its brakes are even better. When we hit the middle pedal at 70mph, they reacted instantly and – with two people on board – brought the car to a halt in an impressive 47.8 metres. Add another two occupants, and it took only 70cm further. The hatchback has the stopping power of a sports car.

This superb braking ability only adds to the driver appeal – and the feisty three-door’s chassis set-up can soon get you carried away! The Cooper has such a fun-loving character, and it’s difficult to keep the smile off your face as you negotiate a twisty road.

Yet despite the sporty suspension, the MINI is comfortable, too. This second-generation car rides more smoothly than its predecessor, so it now has the long-distance cruising ability to satisfy most drivers.

The starting price for a Cooper is £13,325 – but that is only the beginning for most buyers. Customising is popular with MINI owners, and there’s a wide selection of options packages, stickers and extras, all of which hike the price. While it has space for only four and there are many cheaper rivals, the fun factor makes the MINI hard to resist.