The Mini Hardtop is our favorite of the entire Mini Range. It's retro styling and fun to drive nature makes it the best small car to own. Plus its resale value will stomp any small car and leave it in its dust. But is the Mini all the car you'll ever really need?
The previous generation Mini Hardtop we really didn’t
care too much for the all style no functionality approach for the interior. The
toggle switches were fiddly to operate and felt cheap. This generation Mini Hardtop
has somewhat changed it but some switchgear remain the same. At least they are
much easier to use and navigate through. Plus the infotainment system is the
best fitted in any small car. Those in the front seats will enjoy the space
while rear passengers will struggle to find comfort. It’s still cramped but not
as cramped as before. The boot space is decent but not great.
Alloy wheels are standard on both the Cooper and
Cooper S trim. You also get keyless entry and push button start. Bluetooth, a
digital radio and air-con are also standard. LED headlights are optional as
well as parking sensors and power folding exterior rearview mirrors. Picking one
of the several packages will reduce costs of several options but we strongly
suggest keeping options light because it pushes the Mini Hardtop price very
steep quickly.
The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder powering
the Cooper is a real gem of an engine. It is also the pick of the range. It’s
still affordable and has the lowest running costs all while being as fun to
drive as a Mini should be. The Cooper S offers a 2-liter turbocharged
four-cylinder producing 189hp. It’s faster and much more fun to drive. The
manual gearbox with both is the best way to enjoy the driving experience. The auto
gearbox is smooth too but it’s not as engaging.
Steering and handling are what you’d expect of a
Mini. Standard suspension is fine but if you want the sweet handling that Mini can
offer we strongly suggest opting for the sports suspension. Only tradeoff is
that you’ll have to deal with an overly firm ride which can be unforgiving at
times. Steering is very fluid and direct but tends to follow the groves in the
road.
If you are looking for a small car that’s fun to
drive offers low running costs and is cheeky looking. The Mini Hardtop is the
way to go. If you stay clear of the options list you can walk away with a
decently priced Mini. However its small size may count against it. There are
better options out there but none of them have the charm of a Mini.
Likes: Most fun to drive small car you can own. Resale
value is strong too. Dashboard design isn’t as fiddly as previous generations.
Dislikes: Options can sky rocket the price quickly. There
are so many other cars that are more practical for similar money.
Devon’s Pick: The Cooper trim offers decent
performance with decent running costs at a decent price. It’s really hard not
to consider one unless you just have to have the more powerful Cooper S. The Cooper
trim is the way to go.
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