MINI Cooper S - Pictures

It’s surprising how different the MINI’s motor feels compared to the 207’s. The engine note is the same, but the Cooper S is punchier – no doubt helped by its six-speed gearbox. As with the Peugeot, it features

We’re fans of the retro cabin, with its large dials, neat vents and funky switches. However, the chequered silver trim – standard on the Cooper S – looks tacky; we’d opt for the brushed alloy option at £90

Although luggage capacity isn’t necessarily a key factor when buying a hot hatch, the MINI is far from practical. At 160 litres, boot space trails rivals by at least 120 litres. The baby Brit also has the most cramped rear seats.