SEAT Mii 1.0 74bhp Sport road test

The SEAT Mii Sport is the range-topping version of the Spanish company’s small city car.

With a 0-62mph time of 13.2 seconds you’re probably thinking that there’s not much sporting credential to fulfil the Mii’s title.

It’s not all about straight-line speed though, so what does the Mii do to justify its ‘Sport’ tag?

Under the SEAT’s compact nose sits a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that generates 74bhp and 95Nm of pulling power. It’s a lively and characterful engine which thrums along merrily, even when worked hard.

This engine, which is also available in the automatic version of the SE, packs more in-gear pull than the other Mii models' 59bhp engine. The extra flexibility is most noticeable when you're already moving, for example when accelerating from 30mph to 60mph.

Power is delivered to the front wheels through a slick five-speed manual gearbox. A sensible spread of ratios allows for both relatively quick acceleration and laid-back cruising, so you’re never left wanting for a gear that doesn’t exist.

Find a stretch of road long enough and you’ll be able to wind the city car out to 106mph. At motorway speeds there’s very little in the way of mechanical distress and the Mii cruises with ease, making it a viable option for those who need to do the odd longer trip.

As standard the Mii handles rather well, with reassuring levels of grip, although the steering is lacking in feel. Body roll is adequately controlled, meaning you don't feel uncomfortable during high-speed corners.

The Sport version improves upon this as it features stiffer springs and dampers, while the ride height is lowered 15mm to help reduce roll. All of this combined makes the Mii feel even more agile and fun. The brakes are powerful too, with a good pedal feel.

Not all the changes are positive though. The stiffer suspension can cause the compact SEAT to become skittish over uneven roads, while large potholes and bumps can transmit a more pronounced thud into the cabin.

It's not a big issue but it is worth test driving one first to make sure you're comfortable with it. If not then we'd recommend you look at the SE or Ecomotive versions, which are more softly sprung and not much slower.

There are a handful of cosmetic tweaks to differentiate the Sport from the other trim levels too. It comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, tinted rear windows and a smart-looking gloss grey dashboard panel.

You get plenty of equipment as well. Sport specification cars come with electric front windows, electric mirrors, air-con, a 12 volt socket for charging devices, a heated rear windscreen, an MP3 compatible CD player, an auxiliary connection, electronic stability control, ABS and remote central locking. A range of options are available, including an excellent navigation system for £275.

Despite being a small car the Mii is comfortable. There's plenty of interior space, it's quiet and well ventilated, you can realistically fit four adults in and there's a usable boot.

The build quality is also excellent, with decent materials used throughout the cabin, and there are no rattles or creaks. The Mii has plenty of neat touches too, such as an internal boot handle that prevents you from getting mucky hands when you close the tailgate.

On the financial front, owning a SEAT Mii won't break the bank. The car should be reliable, servicing costs will be low, insurance won't be expensive and the Mii Sport will only set you back £20 a year in road tax.

It's claimed to be average 60.1mpg as well, so buyers shouldn't have to worry about substantial fuel bills. If you somehow manage to achieve 60mpg then a full tank will allow the Mii to cover around 450 miles.

Even if you averaged a more realistic 45mpg you'd still get almost 350 miles to a tank, enough to avoid overly frequent refuelling.

So, the Mii Sport does do a lot to justify its title. Its engine is a willing performer that delivers that little bit more urge than the standard models, the handling is slightly sharper and the cosmetic changes add more interest and help it stand out.

Couple this with Mii's already fun and playful character and you've got a desirable and entertaining small car that's easy to live with.

The new Mii Sport is available to order now for £9,980. Five-door versions will be available in the Autumn.

To read the full Parkers SEAT Mii review click here.

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Fiat 500

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