Mini hatch

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 have a separate page for the JCW models. Meanwhile, Mini models like the Clubman and Countryman are also different vehicles rather than variations of the hatchback. We also have a separate page for the Mini Convertible.

A new electric version of the Mini hatch joined the range in early 2020. We have a separate page for that model here. Originally, the Mini hatch was also offered with diesel engines, but these have been dropped in recent years as diesel has fallen out of favour.

The Mini hatch models get generally good to very good reviews from the UK media and it is still one of the highest-rated small cars in our Expert Rating Index despite being one of the oldest new cars on sale. The UK motoring media has heaped praise on its driving dynamics, although it is criticised for its often kitschy and heavy-handed approach to British symbolism (which apparently plays well in export markets).

Interestingly, the new Mini Electric model rates several points lower than the regular petrol hatch 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.

An all-new Mini hatch – to be known as the Mini Cooper – was revealed in Autumn 2023. It will arrive in the UK in early 2024. Initially, it will be an all-electric model, with petrol-powered models presumably following soon afterwards.

As of January 2024, the Mini hatch holds a New Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 58%. It scores top marks for its low CO₂ emissions and its running costs are also good, but its reliability record is poor and its safety rating is well off the pace of newer cars.

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Key specifications

Body style: Three- and five-door hatch
Engines: petrol (and previously diesel)
Price: From £22,565 on-road

Launched: Summer 2014
Last updated: Winter 2020/21
Replacement due: Winter 2023/24

Image gallery

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.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“In the face of stiff competition, the latest Mini hatch stands out by offering the quality and driver appeal of a baby BMW.”
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Model reviewed: Cooper 5-door Classic
Score: 8 / 10
“The fact it remains a true driver’s car continues to set it apart from the competition.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mini is as fun to drive as ever but equipment levels look a little mean and you have to pay extra for navigation and even CarPlay.” (Dan Trent)
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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.”
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Model reviewed: 5-door hatch
Score: 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.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: Cooper Diesel auto 5-door hatch
Score: 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.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S
Score: 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.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The MINI hatchback offers smiles and style in spades; although, it’s a bit cramped in the back.” (Tom Jervis)
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Model reviewed: 5-door hatch range
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Mini hatchback with five doors is much more practical for families, while still being fun to drive.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Five-door hatch range
Score: 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.”
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Model reviewed: Three-door hatch range
Score: 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.”
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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.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Accomplished, but not entertaining, Mini’s core model now feels old and a bit awkward. The next-gen car can’t come quickly enough.” (Jordan Katsianis)
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Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol manual Cooper S five-door
Score: 10 / 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.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Five-door hatch
Score: 8 / 10
“Same style with greater practicality”
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Model reviewed: Three-door hatch
Score: 8 / 10
“Mini may have launched numerous versions of its style-driven small car, but it’s the three-door hatch that remains at its core. Launched in 2014 and revised in 2018, it’s the standard-bearer in the small hatch class for fun driving, cabin appeal and a spread of options that leaves its rivals floundering.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: 5-door hatch
Score: 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.”
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Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 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.”
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Motors.co.uk+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 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.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“An Audi A1 or Volkswagen Polo will prove to be more versatile options. If it’s retro style on a budget that you’re after, the Fiat 500 costs a significant amount less than the MINI.” (Alan Taylor-Jones)
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 1499GT three-door
Score: 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.”
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Model reviewed: Cooper S five-door
Score: 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.”
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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.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The moustachioed Mini is an excellent grown-up hatch, if not the most practical choice.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s disappointing that automatic emergency braking is optional, and it’s worth pointing out that there are plenty of safer small cars. If practicality is high on your list of must-haves, though, we’d point you in the direction of the even more impressive Audi A1.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2014
Date expired: January 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 79%
Child protection: 73%
Vulnerable road users: 66%
Safety assist: 56%

Notes on safety rating

The Mini hatch was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2014 and awarded a four-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2021 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Mini to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.5-litre petrol automatic

Overall score: 2.5 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 4.2 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 4.6 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 3.8 / 10

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.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 472
Average repair cost: £441.92
Last updated: January 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

Across all three generations, the Mini hatch has a reliability score that is slightly below average, according to workshop and warranty data from our commercial partner, MotorEasy.

The biggest concern is that the most common problem is also the most expensive one – engine issues. The average repair cost is about £700, so it’s worth carefully inspecting a used car or making sure you purchase an extended warranty for your Mini to cover you once the factory new car warranty runs out.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	47 mpg	C	34 – 51 mpg	B – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	133 g/km	A	124 – 189 g/km	A – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	23	B	13 – 50	A – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£175	A
Year 2	£477	A
Year 3	£759	A
Year 4	£1,013	A
Year 5	£1,348	A
Overall	£3,772	A

The Mini hatch is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption is only average, which is disappointing for a supermini-sized hatchback. However, the news is much better for other costs. Servicing over the first five years should be excellent, while insurance premiums should also be very good – although with quite a wide variation, depending on which model you choose.