MINI Hatch

Let's face it, I don't have a large family to cart about daily.

Only a partner who uses me as a taxi service.

So something MINI-sized would suit me nicely.

So when I heard all the hype about the improved third generation version, I determined to try one.

When the car arrived at the office in 3-Door Hatch form, I at first thought they'd sent the old one: it really didn't look that much different.

Still, the press pack assured me that it was and a seat inside revealed a quality cabin with technology promising much.

If you remember the original British Leyland Mini, it was an engineering breakthrough, a marvel if you will.

In its own way, the first generation BMW-engineered MINI that launched here at the turn of the century also set new standards, becoming a small hatch that executives brought in their droves as a second car runabout.

Here was something that really did have big car quality and small car cheek.

The MK2 version that followed continued this trend. With this improved third generation version, the styling doesn't look all that different and you might feel a bit short-changed at this design's lack of head turning ability.

It's only when you park it next to an older model that you can see how the styling direction has evolved.

The longer, wider and only a little bit taller proportions give it a squatter, more purposeful look, helped by the tapered glasshouse.

This facelifted model gets brighter LED headlights and trendy Union Jack-style LED tail lamps too. Stepping inside, I found I'd forgotten the way that the third generation version of this MINI hatch is so much more spacious inside than its predecessors.

Despite the dinky size, there's actually very reasonable shoulder space across the back and bigger foot wells.

The front seats have been given a wide adjustment range and a lengthy base for additional comfort and support.

Access to the rear can be a bit awkward though, thanks to the low roof, but there's reasonable space for two on the back seat; leg room's a bit cramped, but if you need more, MINI will suggest you look at the five-door version of this design.

I don't think I'd need to.

The rear bench seat splits 60:40 and there's 211-litres of boot volume.

Owners for the British original Mini would thank you very kindly for this amount of travelling space.

The big centrally mounted circular speedometer of previous models was long ago ditched in favour of a more sophisticated multi function display, with a more conventional speedo flanked with a crescent-moon rev counter in the main instrument binnacle.