The MINI 5-door is longer and has a bigger boot than the standard Hatch, making it the perfect choice for growing families or those who struggle to 'travel light'.
With the same range of sporty petrol engines and thrifty diesels, plus MINI's go-kart handling it ticks plenty of boxes. It also has quite a few rivals though, including the Audi A1 Sportback, so can it compete?
We took the 189bhp Cooper S model out to the countryside to find out.