MINI’S EXTENDED HATCH
With a 40k price premium over the three-door model, the 5-door seems justified with its fun driving style and practical package
What’s new?
This is the five-door version of the Hatch, which Mini prefers to simply refer to as the 5-door. It’s based on the three-door model, but is 161mm longer to accommodate two extra doors.
Naturally, the 5-door comes at a price premium — an extra 40,000 baht for each of the four variants available in Thailand. Tested here is the Cooper SD, going for 3.18 million baht.
Since the 5-door is a fully built-up import, it is around 500,000 baht dearer than the larger and more practical Countryman SUV assembled in Thailand.
Which is why we aren’t going to ask whether it’s worth going the 5-door over the Countryman (it isn’t). What question we pose is whether that extra 40k for the 5-door over the three-door Hatch is worth it.
What’s cool?
Since there’s an extra 72mm of sheet metal between the front and rear axles, tall people will find enough legroom. Just. Another benefit in practicality is the boot that’s 67 litres more than in the three-door hatch. And yes, the rear seats fold flat if you want outright cargo space.
Although one might presume that the larger dimensions may have robbed some of the Hatch’s renowned go-cart-like handling, the 5-door maintains the sharp driving manners without having to really give in to ride comfort.
Those needing outright agility can engage the 5-door into Sport mode, which not only intensifies the powertrain responsiveness but also stiffens the dampers. Even so, the chassis balance in normal mode is already superb.
Also, the Cooper SD’s 170hp 2.0-litre fourcylinder diesel-turbo is a peach on the move. It provide a quick pace, punchy mid-range power, refinement and economy to even shame those cars participating in the country’s Ecocar Phase II project.
Sure, the 5-door is an expensive import, but the equipment list is quite comprehensive and is topped by an audio system from Harman Kardon, which sounds its part.
What’s not?
Despite gaining two extra doors and more rear space, getting in and out of the 5-door isn’t as intuitive as some other bigger — yet cheaper — hatchbacks such as the BMW 1-series, Lexus CT, Mercedes-Benz A-class and Volvo V40.
And while the third-generation Hatch has a more thoughtfully designed dashboard, it isn’t free from ergonomic glitches. One example is the positioning of the control button for the streamlined functions on the console — the centre armrest will always be in the way while operating it.
Buy or bye?
The Mini Hatch was always a car for which buyers placed emotion over function, and the same logic can be applied to the 5-door. Just because the three-door body was a reinvention of a classic doesn’t necessarily mean that there isn’t an emotional aspect for the 5-door.
In fact, the 5-door looks, feels and drives like the three-door from nearly every conceivable angle, yet it offers more usable space for some — those with young children, for instance. The 5-door is a fun-to-drive small hatchback.
Minis today are hardly priced rationally, so the extra 40,000 baht the 5-door commands seems to be quite a good deal when viewed objectively. Just don’t compare it with the Countryman.