Mini car reviews

Mini is one of the most distinctive and iconic car brands. When BMW sold MG Rover, it made sure it kept the Mini brand for itself - and it has been a great sales success for the company. 

Minis are built in Oxford in an increasingly broad range that now includes the Clubman estate and convertible, and will soon expand to include a Countryman 'crossover' style. 

Mini is very much a lifestyle brand and most owners seem pretty happy with their cars and dealers.

New Mini reviews

7 New Mini reviews available

Mini Clubman reviews

The Mini Clubman is a modern interpretation of the original 1960s Mini estate. Launched in 2007, the main purpose of the Clubman is to deliver increased practicality while keeping the style and fun-to-drive character of the Mini hatchback. Style like this comes at a premium price though.

Mini Convertible reviews

When BMW launched the Mini Convertible in 2004, its iconic supermini reached a whole new level of cool. The soft top folds back in two stages for open-top fun. The arrival of the Mini Convertible Mk2 in 2009 has not dented the appeal of the Mk1 Convertible since they look and behave pretty much the same.

Mini Countryman reviews

The Mini Countryman is a 'crossover' - half way between a hatchback and a 4x4. It takes on the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan, offering a bit of the desirable and fun Mini image in a larger package.

Latest model: Mini Countryman (2010-)

Mini Coupe reviews

Mini Coupe video preview

 

Please enable JavaScript to access this content.

Mini Paceman reviews

Mini Paceman video first drive

 

Please enable JavaScript to access this content.

Video transcript

Now, I know what you're thinking. He's either a short man or that's a very tall Mini, well the truth is a bit of both but the new Mini Paceman is taller, longer and wider than the standard car, a bit less mini in other words.

Depending on how you look at it. The Paceman is either a three-door version of the Mini Countryman or it's a Mini Hatchback with a dose of SUV attitude. It taps in to the trend for small 4 x 4 style cars like the Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Mokka but with prices from £19,000, it's pricier than either. So is there a point to the Paceman?

Despite its beefed up off roady styling, most Pacemans, or should that be Pacemen, will drive through the front wheels only if you want four wheel drive you'll have to stump up next £1300. This is marketed as a sporty car so, the range skips the entry level Mini One grade and it starts with the Cooper above that is the Cooper S, the car I'm driving today which develops 181 break horse power It's not as quick as hot hatch like a Golf GTI but it is fast enough to be fun and it sounds good too If you want more power, there's also a John Cooper Works version with a Golf GTI rivaling 218 brake horsepower or for better fuel economy, a pair of diesels, the Cooper D and SD.

Mini says the Cooper S returns 46 miles per gallon. That's about 3 miles per gallon less then the equivalent mini hatchback. We're looking forward to putting the Paceman through our more realistic fuel economy tests. Click the link before to see tested figures for the rest of Mini range. Inside much of this is carried over from the Countryman and like the Paceman itself, it's likely to divide opinion The huge central speedometer dominates the dashboard and contains the sat nav screen if fitted.

However your speed is hard to read so you end up relying on the digital display in front of the wheel. The retro toggle switches are also small and awkwardly placed. It's definitely a case of form over function. Like all Minis is there are hundreds of different combinations of paint colours, wheels, graphics, and interior trim options so you can personalize the car to suit your own taste.

Getting into the back is much easier than in the 3 door Mini thanks to these wide opening doors. But once you're back here you'll find there are just two individual rear seats. There is enough space for a tall child or a short man and you can clip accessories like this sunglasses case onto the central rail here.

But let us not kid ourselves this is a practical car. If you got a family Mini's saying by a Countryman instead. In the boot many claims 330 litres of space. About the same as a Ford Focus. but the big rear lights cut into the opening and the seats don't fold completely flat, so it's not especially practical.

Standard rear parking sensors make it easy to park though. We measure booth space in our lab so click the link below to see how the bigger Mini Countryman compares to all its rivals. Mini has always been fun to drive whether you're talking about the 1959 original or the BMW remake. The Paceman does roll a bit more in the corners than a regular Mini, as you'd expect.

But it still feels agile and responsive. The trade-off is a firm ride, and over sensitive steering that, along with the increased wind noise, make the Paceman tiring to drive on longer journeys. A sport button also sharpens up the steering so the car darts around like an over excited puppy. It's fun in small bursts, but like said puppy, you wouldn't necessarily want to live with it.

So what is the point of the Mini Paceman? It's barely more practical than the Mini Hatchback. while being slower, less efficient, and less fun to drive. Oh, and it's more expensive too. Well, if you have to ask, this probably isn't the car for you. Like that wacky interior, it's a style statement.

Think of it as a Mini Range Rover Evoke and it starts to make a bit more sense. Its tapering roof lines does have more than a hint of Evoke about it after all. To me, though the mini Paceman feels like the answer to a question nobody asked.

Mini Roadster reviews

The Mini Roadster is a rare thing - an affordable open-top, two-seater. It sticks with the Mini ethos by being exceptionally good fun to drive, but don't expect it to be practical to live with. 

Latest model: Mini Roadster (2012-)

Mini hatchback reviews

Relaunched by BMW in 2001, Mini has become a massive motoring success story. The retro hatchback has style, a unique interior and a fun-to-drive character. It's also highly desirable, with most models holding their value well. Mini offers a wide range of personalisation touches like stickers for the bonnet and roof and a range of alloy wheels.

Latest model: Mini (2007-)

Used Mini reviews

4 Used Mini reviews available

  • Mini Countryman reviews

    1 review available (2010 - 2013) | Used price: from £13,250

    Mini-Countryman-1

    The Mini Countryman is a 'crossover' - half way between a hatchback and a 4x4. It takes on the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan, offering a bit of the desirable and fun Mini image in a larger package.

    Latest model: Mini Countryman (2010-)

  • Mini Clubman reviews

    1 review available (2007 - 2012) | Used price: from £8,225

    Mini Clubman 1

    The Mini Clubman is a modern interpretation of the original 1960s Mini estate. Launched in 2007, the main purpose of the Clubman is to deliver increased practicality while keeping the style and fun-to-drive character of the Mini hatchback. Style like this comes at a premium price though.

  • Mini Convertible reviews

    2 reviews available (2004 - 2012) | Used price: from £6,295

    Mini Convertible 1

    When BMW launched the Mini Convertible in 2004, its iconic supermini reached a whole new level of cool. The soft top folds back in two stages for open-top fun. The arrival of the Mini Convertible Mk2 in 2009 has not dented the appeal of the Mk1 Convertible since they look and behave pretty much the same.

  • Mini hatchback reviews

    2 reviews available (2001 - 2012) | Used price: from £3,825

    Mini 1

    Relaunched by BMW in 2001, Mini has become a massive motoring success story. The retro hatchback has style, a unique interior and a fun-to-drive character. It's also highly desirable, with most models holding their value well. Mini offers a wide range of personalisation touches like stickers for the bonnet and roof and a range of alloy wheels.

    Latest model: Mini (2007-)

Trial Which? today

Latest Which? Car magazine cover

Try Which? magazine for just £1 and gain instant access to which.co.uk

About Which? magazine

Which? Car podcast

Listen to our latest FREE 10-minute digest of all the most important car news and reviews.

Listen to a podcast now

Which? car news

Sign up for the latest car news and reviews, and money-saving hot car deals, in your newsletter every Friday.

Sign up to Which? Car news
Which? works for you