• Quirky-looking interior
• Good build quality throughout
• Excellent low-slung driving position

How is the quality and layout?

The interior benefits from a high standard of fit and finish, good-quality materials and sensible ergonomics. Toggles control things such as the windows, traction control system, automatic stop-start and are delightfully retro.

What’s missing is the central speedometer. Purists might lament its demise but let’s not forget that the original Mini started having its central speedometer phased out in 1969. Now, it sits in a little pod behind the steering wheel and is much easier to read as a result. It’s flanked by a semi-circular rev counter on the left, and a fuel gauge on the right, so a quick glance can tell you all you need to know.

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Infotainment and tech

There is still a prominent circular centre section in the dash, highlighted by a multi-coloured LED ring, within which you’ll find the infotainment system. An 8.8-inch display is standard with sat-nav offered as an option.

Disappointingly Apple CarPlay is not standard, and neither is the head up display or digital driver’s display. Which system you pick is controlled by MINI’s interpretation of BMW’s iDrive rotary controller, which is intuitive but feels positioned too low behind the gear lever for easy access.

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That LED frame glows different colours depending on various functions or selected programmes, too. For example, when parking sensors are fitted the ring changes from green, to amber, to red depending on your proximity to an obstacle. Alter the temperature of the climate control and the ring changes from blue to red depending on whether it’s getting cooler or warmer. Or, if you prefer, it can scroll through various colours along with the rest of the car’s ambient lights.

Comfort

• Seats are comfortable and supportive
• Quiet drive
• Great on both short and long journeys

The seats are surprisingly large and comfortable – even the Cooper S’ sports seats don’t cause aches after a long journey. There’s a great range of adjustment on offer as well, while the seats slide and tilt with ease to allow better access to the back. If you’re prepared to spend extra (as many MINI customers do), they can be heated and trimmed in leather.

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Climb into the back of the three-door model and you’ll see the previous MINI’s weakness has barely been addressed; it’s really only comfortable for children and adults who happen to be contortionists. That’s partly due to rear headroom being marginally reduced due to the tapering roofline. There’s a bit more space in the five-door model, though, due to its longer wheelbase. In the three-door model the rear seat is shaped for two only with a raised bolster in the middle of the seat base and no middle seatbelt but the five-door is technically a five-seater, albeit a slightly cramped one.

The quietness of the MINI’s cabin, coupled with the car’s revised suspension, makes it a comfortable companion on longer drives.