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MINI Hatchback Hatchback boot space, practicality and safety

2014 - 2024 (change model)
Practicality rating: 3 out of 53.0

Written by Alan Taylor-Jones Updated: 1 February 2023

  • No escaping the MINI’s compact dimensions
  • Good space up front, less so in the rear
  • Five-door model far easier to live with

How much space is there?

The back doors on the five-door model are short, which makes getting in and out quite hard work but – once you’re in – legroom is OK for kids and short adults and headroom is fine for all but the tallest of passengers. Those stubby rear doors might make accessing child seats tricky, though, but at least it’s easier than it would be in a three-door version. You can fit three people across the rear seat bench, but it’s a tight squeeze.

The three-door MINI is a small car and really aimed at individuals or couples, rather than serving as a small family car. However, it’s not all bad news – as while the MINI Hatch’s ability to carry four adults in comfort remains questionable, the extra space available inside is good for the car’s flexibility.

251
Mini rear seats
Mini rear seats

Boot space and storage

Naturally, the most practical choice is the five-door model, which joined the range towards the end of 2014. It’s a five-seater (the three-door MINI will sit four people only) and can carry more luggage: the three-door’s boot measures only 211 litres with the seats up, and 731 with them folded down, while the five-door model’s extra overall length allows for 278 litres seats up and 941 seats down.

Luggage space is limited. But the space is easy to get to and surprisingly deep, which helps it accommodate bulky items in.

251
Mini boot
Mini boot

The moveable boot floor can be set at two different heights or hinged forwards to rest against the back of the rear seats. In the three-door that makes for a deep (thank the lack of a spare wheel) but still relatively short boot.

Is it easy to park?

The MINI isn’t a big car, by any stretch. It’s a supermini and will easily fit into most parking spaces and is great for zipping around town. The upright windscreen takes a little getting used to, as it feels quite far away at first, but it’s easy to judge the edges of the car. Overall, though, it’s also easy to manoeuvre into tight spaces thanks to those compact dimensions.

Safety

  • Four-star Euro NCAP rating
  • Extra safety kit available
  • Good for a small car

When tested by Euro NCAP, the MINI just missed out on the full five-star rating and was ultimately awarded four stars.

Three Isofix child seat mounting points are offered in the MINI: two on the back seat and one on the front passenger seat, the latter of which automatically disconnects the airbag. Six airbags, including front, side and curtain, complement the high-strength passenger safety cell, with deformable crumple zones front and rear. There’s no escaping the MINI Hatch’s longer and higher nose, either – something necessitated by pedestrian safety regulations.

LED tail lights offer improved visibility, while full LED headlights are now standard across the range. Naturally, ABS brakes are standard, which are supplemented by electronic brakeforce distribution to maximise stopping power in emergency situations.

Traction control is standard and the optional active cruise control with a collision mitigation function which will attempt to stop your MINI being involved in a frontal collision in the first place. It’s good that it’s available, but disappointing that it’s relegated to the options list, most rivals have automatic emergency braking as standard these days.

WATCH: MINI Hatch Euro NCAP crash test video

Euro NCAP rating

Overall NCAP safety rating 4 out of 5
Year tested: 2014
What is Euro NCAP?
Adult Occupant: 79%
Child Occupant: 73%
Vulnerable Road User: 66%
Safety Assist: 56%

Equipment and options

Each trim level will have different equipment offerings.
Basic equipment (9)
  • ABS
  • Alarm
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Front electric windows
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Service indicator
  • Side airbags
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
1499 GT Standard Equipment (15)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Audio remote
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Front fog lights
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Lumbar support
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Remote locking
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
1499 GT Optional Equipment (3)
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Sat Nav
60 Years Edition Standard Equipment (17)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
60 Years Edition Optional Equipment (3)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Electric sunroof
Anniversary Edition Standard Equipment (11)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • Cruise control
  • Heated seats
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Anniversary Edition Optional Equipment (4)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Metallic Paint
  • Rear electric windows
Challange 210 Edition Standard Equipment (16)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Audio remote
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Heated mirrors
  • Heated seats
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Remote locking
  • Sat Nav
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
Challange 210 Edition Optional Equipment (7)
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Front fog lights
  • Lumbar support
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
Cooper Standard Equipment (8)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Remote locking
  • Traction control
Cooper Optional Equipment (14)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Front fog lights
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper Classic Standard Equipment (5)
  • Audio remote
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper Classic Optional Equipment (13)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
Cooper D Standard Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Front fog lights
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Metallic Paint
  • Remote locking
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
Cooper D Optional Equipment (6)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
Cooper Exclusive Standard Equipment (6)
  • Audio remote
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper Exclusive Optional Equipment (13)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Cooper Resolute Edition Standard Equipment (8)
  • Audio remote
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper Resolute Edition Optional Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Cooper S Standard Equipment (7)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Electric mirrors
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Remote locking
  • Traction control
Cooper S Optional Equipment (15)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Front fog lights
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper S Classic Standard Equipment (6)
  • Audio remote
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper S Classic Optional Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Cooper S D Standard Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Front fog lights
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Metallic Paint
  • Remote locking
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
Cooper S D Optional Equipment (6)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
Cooper S Exclusive Standard Equipment (6)
  • Audio remote
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper S Exclusive Optional Equipment (13)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Cooper S Resolute Edition Standard Equipment (8)
  • Audio remote
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper S Resolute Edition Optional Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Cooper S Seven Standard Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Metallic Paint
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Remote locking
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
Cooper S Seven Optional Equipment (6)
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Front fog lights
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
Cooper S Shadow Edition Standard Equipment (10)
  • Audio remote
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper S Shadow Edition Optional Equipment (5)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • Heated seats
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Cooper S Sport Standard Equipment (6)
  • Audio remote
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper S Sport Optional Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Cooper S Works 210 Standard Equipment (11)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Metallic Paint
  • Remote locking
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
Cooper S Works 210 Optional Equipment (11)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Front fog lights
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Cooper Seven Standard Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Metallic Paint
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Remote locking
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Traction control
Cooper Seven Optional Equipment (6)
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Front fog lights
  • Leather seat trim
  • Parking sensors
  • Sat Nav
Cooper Shadow Edition Standard Equipment (10)
  • Audio remote
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper Shadow Edition Optional Equipment (5)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • Heated seats
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Cooper Sport Standard Equipment (6)
  • Audio remote
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Cooper Sport Optional Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
Indian Summer Red Standard Equipment (18)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Indian Summer Red Optional Equipment (1)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
John Cooper Works Standard Equipment (4)
  • Audio remote
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
John Cooper Works Optional Equipment (21)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated mirrors
  • Heated seats
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
  • Traction control
John Cooper Works 1 To 6 Edition Standard Equipment (13)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
John Cooper Works 1 To 6 Edition Optional Equipment (12)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Cruise control
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated mirrors
  • Leather seat trim
  • Lumbar support
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Traction control
John Cooper Works GP II Standard Equipment (8)
  • Audio remote
  • Cruise control
  • Metallic Paint
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
John Cooper Works GP II Optional Equipment (3)
  • CD
  • Heated seats
  • Sat Nav
One Standard Equipment (8)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Heated mirrors
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Remote locking
  • Traction control
One Optional Equipment (13)
  • Air conditioning
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Front fog lights
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
  • Steel wheels
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
One Classic Standard Equipment (5)
  • Audio remote
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
One Classic Optional Equipment (11)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Metallic Paint
  • Parking sensors
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
  • Steel wheels
Paddy Hopkirk Edition Standard Equipment (14)
  • Audio remote
  • CD
  • Cruise control
  • Electric mirrors
  • Electric passenger`s seat
  • Heated seats
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Parking sensors
  • Partial leather seat trim
  • Rear electric windows
  • Sat Nav
  • Sports seats
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
  • Steering wheel reach adjustment
Paddy Hopkirk Edition Optional Equipment (4)
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Air conditioning
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Electric sunroof

Dimensions

Length 3821mm - 4036mm
Width 1762mm - 1932mm
Height 1414mm - 1425mm
View full specs