MINI Clubman, MINI Hatch and MINI Countryman - What’s Not To Love?

Everyone loves the MINI! One of the most iconic cars on UK roads and certainly a hot favourite in and around Liverpool. Even if you don’t own one, most of us would jump at the chance of a test drive in a MINI.

What makes it so special? Its distinctive shape? Its history? The film The Italian Job? Or could it quite simply just be a great little car? Let’s take a look.

In 1959, the Morris MINI Minor was introduced as a fuel efficient, space-saving, front-wheel-drive family car. When BMW took over the MINI brand in 2000, it presented a completely modern, yet retro-styled hatchback that continued the MINI legacy and brought the icon to the 21st century.

Later on, the range was expanded to even more models, most notable being the 2011 Countryman crossover SUV and two generations of MINI Clubman estate, produced between 2007 and 2014 as a lengthened hatchback and from 2015 as a true five-door estate. These three models are always available on the used car market where you can find low mileage examples at very affordable prices.

Unmistakeable Design

Design-wise, all three models have strong MINI DNA running through their bodywork and interior. Of course, the MINI Hatch is the most similar to the original MINI, and all the recognisable details have stayed even on the most recent generation. These features are round headlights, distinctive front grille, floating roof and an overall bubbly look that makes the MINI so loveable in the first place. 

The Countryman introduced the same features to a bigger class of vehicles, adding more practicality, more space and four wheel drive to the brand. Finally, there’s the Clubman which sits in between the Hatch and the Countryman as a five-door estate. 

Inside, all three cars have similar visual cues that originated from the classic MINI, but evolved into stylish features in modern and charming interiors, most notably the big, round centrally mounted multimedia cluster that served as the speedometer on the earlier models. Stylish and practical, the Mini range offers diversity, whether you need a city car or compact family transport. 

When it comes to power, BMW has made a host of alterations since 2000, and most recent MINI Hatches are powered by three-cylinder and four-cylinder units, both petrol and diesel. The base MINI One got a 1.2-litre turbocharged inline three-cylinder, tuned to produce 102 horsepower, while the more upscale Cooper variant has a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder with 136 horsepower. When it comes to petrol, four-cylinder power comes with Cooper S and John Cooper Works badges, and it’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged motor with 192 and 231 hp respectively. 

MINI Car, Maximum Choice

There’s a choice of three diesel options, with MINI One D and MINI Cooper D being powered by a 1.5-litre turbodiesel three-cylinder and MINI Cooper SD having a 2.0-litre turbocharged four with 170 hp. All the models come with six-speed manual transmission as standard with an option of 6-speed automatic. On the other hand, the MINI Clubman estate range has been trimmed down to 1.5-litre turbo three and a 2.0-litre MINI Cooper S with an ALL4. 

Finally, the first generation MINI Countryman had a range of naturally aspirated or turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol motors producing anywhere between 97 and 215 horsepower depending on the engine with a choice of two diesels, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre. Depending on your driving style and needs, you can find adequate power in the range, and whichever one you choose, you’ll be in for a rewarding drive with reasonable running costs and looking good all the way!

As MINI juggles between affordable and premium, the choice of equipment is also broad. A brand for trendy, tech-savvy people, MINI adds value with gadgets rather than the posh leather and wood that usually springs to mind when thinking about luxury cars. So, in any pre-loved MINI, you’ll most likely find automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel, and infotainment system nested inside of that famous circular cluster. Even when equipped with textile interior, all three cars have that chic allure, but if you’re on the lookout for leather seating, you’ll also be able to find a MINI that suits your needs. 

The front-wheel drive, front-engine formula works in your favour, but ALL4 variants of the MINI Clubman and the MINI Countryman give extra grip during more challenging weather conditions. The MINI Countryman is equipped with front, side head and side chest airbags, with ISOFIX mounts at the rear and electronic stability coming as standard. Some optional features include automatic emergency braking and speed assistance. The MINI Hatch has six airbags as standard too, as does the MINI Clubman. All three models have ABS with electronic brake distribution, and in newer examples of these cars, there’s an optional rearview camera which greatly helps in everyday traffic.

Great Quality, Excellent Value

The starting price of a brand new MINI Hatch is £14,620, the MINI Clubman is £20,730, while the MINI Countryman is £23,035 or more. When it comes to inspected and well-preserved low mileage used cars, Motor Range offers the MINI range from around £8,500! You’re likely to get a higher specification for your money too as many of our models include optional extras.

If you consider yourself stylish and with a youthful spirit, whether you need the car for yourself, your partner or the whole family, the MINI is one for you. With the MINI Hatch, MINI Clubman and MINI Countryman offering just about everything you need from a car. 

If you’re looking for a practical car, whatever your lifestyle car, then look no further than our Liverpool showroom to find the one that suits you the most!