BUYER’S GUIDE: SEAT Mi
FROM £3,500 Spanish city car is as good as its Skoda and VW siblings, but not as common
CITY cars like the SEAT Mii are an endangered species. The fact that it’s hard to turn a profit on an expensive-to-engineer, low-priced car is one threat, while tough new emissions targets pose another; reducing CO2 on small cars is tricky to do without introducing electrified technology, the costs of which are tough to absorb at this price.
All the more reason, therefore, to make the most of the Mii’s talents now. With zippy handling, a spacious-for-its size interior and neat styling, all backed up by the Volkswagen Group’s engineering knowhow, the Mii is proof of the old adage that good things come in small packages.
History
THE Mii hit UK roads in spring 2012 with three doors and a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 59bhp or 74bhp and a five-speed manual gearbox. Within weeks a five-door appeared, while a sequential auto was offered with the 74bhp engine by the end of the year.
Initially there were S, SE and Ecomotive versions; Toca trim arrived in January 2013, followed by Mango in January 2014, i-Tech in August 2014, FR Line from September 2015 and Cosmopolitan in February 2017.
In August 2018 SEAT streamlined the Mii range: Design trim came with the 59bhp engine, while FR Line could be had with that or the 74bhp engine. And while buyers could still choose their car’s colour, the options list was dispensed with altogether.
Which one?
THE auto gearbox isn’t great and is best avoided. The 59bhp engine is fine much of the time, but the 74bhp motor is perkier, and its running costs aren’t much greater.
Entry-level S trim is spartan, offering steel wheels and a two-speaker radio; the SE adds 14-inch alloys, powered and heated door mirrors, split-folding rear seats, air-con, a sixspeaker stereo, remote locking and electric front windows. The Sport gets 15-inch alloys, privacy glass and sports suspension, plus a removable infotainment system; this is worth having because it brings sat-nav and Bluetooth.
Alternatives
THE obvious rivals are the Skoda Citigo and VW up!, which are little more than rebadged Miis. They’re none the worse for that, because you get the same practicality, quality, running costs and engaging driving experience.
The Kia Picanto comes with the balance of a seven-year warranty (or the full seven years
if you buy an approved used car), plus it’s well equipped, looks smart and is reliable. The closely related Hyundai i10 has the same traits, albeit with a five-year warranty. Other city cars to consider include the Citroen C1, Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo trio, and the Renault Twingo and Smart ForFour pair.
Verdict
THE SEAT Mii is hugely likeable, but so are its VW and Skoda cousins. We’d recommend any of them, but the SEAT isn’t as common: in our research we found 265 used Miis for sale, but more than 650 Citigos and almost 1,200 examples of the up!.
The relatively rarity of the SEAT isn’t down to any shortcomings with the product, though; it just has a lower profile than its VW Group rivals and, as a new buy, the Skoda offered better value for money.
Arguably the Mii isn’t the best-looking of the three VW Group city cars, either, although really this is a relatively minor and subjective difference. But it is fun to drive, surprisingly practical and very cheap to run, so it’s still more than easy to recommend.