Mini One (2001-2007) Review

Comfort and Equipment

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All told, the Mini has a big car feel, which other manufacturers might do well to emulate. Noise suppression and refinement levels are very good. The stiff bodyshell means that setting up the suspension is easier, but the Mini is a bit harsh over uneven surfaces, especially with the sports suspension options. That said, the pay-off in terms of agility and cornering poise is well worth it; and, on smaller wheels, the ride is tolerable. The seats are supportive but the stepped-reclining mechanism is fiddly, crude and cheap. For maximum comfort, avoid specifying optional wheels, which have very low-profile tyres.

The original Mini was a packaging marvel, with 80 percent of the car's overall length devoted to occupant and luggage space, but the increased refinement, equipment and safety levels of today's superminis all eat into that space. Nevertheless, the Mini has plenty of room for front-seat occupants, whether they're large or small. Foot-space for the two in the back (there is no middle belt) is limited if the driver and front passenger are tall, but the seat base is incredibly long (a result of the rear Z-axle projecting forwards into the cabin volume under the floor), so there's quite a bit of knee-room. The front seats, though, don't fold very convincingly and the boot is pathetically small.

Specification levels on Minis vary wildly, depending on the option packs. As standard comes a six-speaker radio-cassette player, with a single-dash CD player a fairly expensive option (the whole stereo needs an upgrade). The Mini's general refinement helps it to sound decent. Unusually in this class, a satellite-navigation system, which slots into the central speedo mounting, is available, but we imagine few will specify it.