Introduction
Traditionally and better-known as being a three-door, Mini decided to start making a five-door version of the Hatch in 2014 – aimed at city drivers looking for a little more practicality from their supermini.
Given the same base design as the three-door, the five-door comes with the same excellent, retro styling that Mini has built its current reputation on since it was taken over by BMW in 2000.
But can the same great feel of the three-door continue into the slightly larger five-door guise following its update in 2018? We find out…
Performance
As with the three-door, the engine line-up consists of petrol units only, with the One, Cooper and Cooper S making up the range. Both the One and the Cooper are based on the same 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine, with the base One developing 100bhp and 190Nm of torque, and the mid-level Cooper producing 134bhp and 220Nm of torque.
For the best performance though, customers should look at the Cooper S, which from its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder unit produces 189bhp and 300Nm of torque that gets the five-door from 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds and go reach a top speed of 144mph. As the BMW engines come with excellent turbocharging, the low- and mid-range torque help you get up to speed without much hassle – so overtaking won’t be tricky at all.
Ride & Handling
Mini has been built on a reputation of building cars that handle and ride well, and despite being a more practical option, the 5dr manages to perform almost as well as its smaller sibling. With the mid-range engine on-board, the Hatch feels perfectly balanced and has well-weighted handling that allows you to get in and out of tight streets very easily.
As it is larger and likely to be used in a different way to the 3dr version, the 5dr Hatch comes with softer suspension that soaks up the bumps better and makes more sense as a cruiser than the smaller offering. But it is still a Mini, so when it’s chucked into a corner there is a lot of grip available.
Interior & Equipment
With the extra doors and a longer wheelbase, the 5dr does offer more space than its smaller sibling – but still manages to be a more than competent compact. The boot of the 5dr is 67 litres larger than on the 3dr at 278 litres, and if the back seats aren’t in use, you have 941 litres of loading space at your disposal.
Although the Mini is quite small – as the name suggests – the 5dr does have more space than the 3dr in the back, allowing taller passengers to enjoy more space. The rear doors aren’t the largest so it can be a bit tricky to get in at times, but you’ll be happy with the extra practicality the additional doors offer.
As with every other Mini, the 5dr Hatch is offered in three trim levels – Classic, Sport and Exclusive – with a decent level of equipment offered from the base specification. As standard each model comes with air conditioning, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen, DAB radio, Bluetooth, cloth upholstery, ambient lighting and LED foglights.
If you make the upgrade to Sport or Exclusive, both come with their own specific look and feel. For example, the Sport has an aerodynamic bodykit, sports seats, more-focused suspension, bucket seats and sporty alloy designs – only adding to the Mini’s overall character.
Cost
With the additional doors and space, the 5dr starts from £16,890 – £700 more than 3dr alternative – which comes in under many of its closest rivals like the Volkswagen Polo. Both Sport and Exclusive models start from £20,930 for a more premium offering.
As the car is slightly larger than the 3dr, you would expect fuel economy to go down. Well Mini has managed to keep figures pretty much the same, with 57.6mpg quoted for the entry-level One model.
See local MINI Hatch prices
Verdict
The Hatch 5dr is there for those who want the same great looks and driving style as the smaller and more popular 3dr, but need that extra practicality for day-to-day running. It comes with the same compact look and feel as the 3dr, but gives more passenger space in the rear as well as additional boot space. The main issue with Mini vehicles is the cost of their extras, which can really drive the price up – but the base equipment levels are good enough for most.
