Verdict
The MINI hatch family is still one of the most convincing takes on the premium small car formula, and these latest updates are well received. As a hot Cooper S, it lacks the interaction and feedback that makes a Ford Fiesta ST so brilliant, but on the other hand, it feels more grown up and is better finished inside. The Cooper S isn’t our pick of the range, however - the 1.5-litre Cooper is still the best all-rounder.
April 2021 marked 20 years since the first BMW-developed MINI rolled off the production line in Oxford. Perfect timing, then, for MINI to gift the third-generation version of its popular supermini a facelift for its final few years on sale.
One of the more popular sellers in the Mini range, the Countryman attempts to widen the appeal of the British icon, with more space and practicality, yet without losing too much of the driving and dynamic brio that has endeared the brand to enthusiasts for decades. For MY21, several minor but effective updates keep the small SUV competitive, while the stylish Signature adds some much-needed class.