Insurance Group: 8
MPG: 52.3
CO2: 127
0-62 Mph: 13.2 secs
BHP: 75 BHP
Range: 460 miles
It is not as fast as some small cars, but it does give a great driving experience. Go for this car if all you need is an affordable and reliable way to ferry you or your spouse and/or a couple of kids to and from home. Cabin space is just enough for four, and the boot cannot hold much.
PROS: Fun to drive. Very responsive. Economical engine. Great resale value.
CONS: Boot not spacious enough. Limited equipment.
The Mini First clocks 62mph in 13.2 seconds and is far from being speedy. You also have to work it hard to get modest performance. The 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder 1598cc petrol engine produces the maximum power of 74bhp at 6000rpm. A torque of 104 lb-ft is high enough to sustain pull on winding roads.
Suspension is firm and does make the ride firm. However, it has tons of grip and excellent handling traits. The steering is flexible and accurate. A responsive chassis makes driving this car enjoyable. The 6-speed manual gearbox does not disappoint; it is fast, smooth and efficient.
The Mini First takes the lead for engine refinement in the class. No matter how hard you rev it, the engine remains quiet and smooth. Road noise is a totally different ball game altogether - it is intrusive even when the car is at low speed. Wind noise only penetrates the cabin at motorway speeds.
Visibility is good from all sides, thanks to large windows and small pillars.
The Mini has a retro look, which many will find appealing. If you are into modern styling though, it will just be an odd-looking hatchback for you. Nevertheless, it is built to a very high quality as can be seen from the defined lines forming its frame and even the way it feels.
It measures 3723mm x 1683mm and is quite small in stature, even though wide wheel-arches give it a bigger-than-it-is look. Its frame is large enough for only three doors and four seats.
The First has what is probably the best cabin in the range – the materials used are of good quality and the design is nice too, though far from being luxurious.
Standard equipment is basic. Only power steering, central locking, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), electric door mirrors, electric front windows, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobilizer, alarm, MP3 ports and CD player are available.
You can get air conditioning for £690, Bluetooth for £845 and metallic paint for £340, but these options inevitably increase the price further. Desirable features such as Sat Nav, cruise control, climate control, rear parking sensors, alloy wheels and leather seats are not available, not even as cost options.
Mini is a reliable brand, with every model that’s ever been launched proving to be dependable. Safety is a priority for this car maker, as can be seen from the wide range of security features installed in the First: engine immobilizer, central locking, alarm, airbags and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points all make some bigger cars look like a joke.
Euro NCAP crash test results were satisfactory. It scored 5 stars for occupant safety, 3 stars for child safety and 2 stars for pedestrian safety.
There are plenty of adjustments for the steering wheel and driver’s seat, so it will be easy to get a good driving position. The dashboard is cluttered with controls and dials, and will irritate you a bit.
Passengers will travel in comfort as there is adequate space both at the front and rear. The door openings are small and set too low, making it difficult to get in and out of the car.
Boot capacity is minimal, at only 160 litres. You may fold the rear seats to increase capacity to 680 litres, which is still not big enough for bigger loads.
The list price, £11,810, is a lot for such a small car when you consider what rivals cost. But this is also the lowest you can pay for a Mini so in a way it is a bargain. Strong resale values can make you overlook any other rival and are another good reason to buy the car.
A start/stop engine system keeps fuel consumption down, and you get an impressive 52.3mpg. Carbon emissions average 127g/km to put the First under road tax band D, which will cost you £95 every year, but you get to enjoy tax exemption in the first year. The car sits in insurance group 8, meaning insurance costs will be low.
It comes with a 3-year/unlimited mileage warranty, which should encourage you to increase your road trips. You can also take advantage of the Mini TLC Servicing Pack, where you pay only £185 for 5 years’ maintenance, up to 50,000 miles.
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