Mini 3-Door Review

The Mini 3-Door is compact, cute and cheerful. You could say the same of its cabin too. It’s well finished and the ‘new-age meets retro’ theme is brilliantly executed. However, a lot of what you’d expect as standard on such an expensive car are options, and ticking even a few extras can drive up the price a fair bit. The Mini’s front seats are snug and the rear seats, though useable, are fine for short stints only.
Of the engines, the 114hp, 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine on the Cooper D comes across as the level-headed choice. However, it’s the zingy 192hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol on the Cooper S that brings the best out of the Mini. The petrol engine is eager and exciting, and makes the 3-Door feel alive. Of course, go-kart-like handling is part and parcel of the Mini experience, and for many, a 3-Door can deliver the same thrills as pricier sportscars. Ride quality is a bit of a compromise, however. On poor roads, the body feels fidgety and you do get the odd crash of the suspension.