Verdict The MINI hatch family is still one of the most convincing takes on the premium small car formula, and these latest updates are well received. As a hot Cooper S, it lacks the interaction and feedback that makes a Ford Fiesta ST so brilliant, but on the other hand, it feels more grown up and is better finished inside. The Cooper S isn’t our pick of the range, however - the 1.5-litre Cooper is still the best all-rounder. April 2021 marked 20 years since the first BMW-developed MINI rolled off the production line in Oxford. Perfect timing, then, for MINI to gift the third-generation version of its popular supermini a facelift for its final few years on sale.