THE HATCH WHOSE NAME NOW DESCRIBES ITS PRICE

The Mk3 Mini was replaced only last year yet you can buy one for £2k

-  SAM PHILLIPS

With the option of five doors, a pure-electric version and a cleverly packaged platform that maximises interior space, the Mk3 Mini is a charismatic crowd-pleaser. It is a few centimetres bigger than its predecessor yet still retains all the old-school qualities of agility and compactness that we love in its forebears. And now the new 'F66' generation is becoming a common sight after its launch last year, prices for the previous-generation model have tumbled to as low as £2000.

Of course, it's not as compact as its 1960s namesake, but the F56-gen Mini is ergonomically stronger than its predecessors and has a roomier cabin and boot. Bolstering its appeal is an interior dripping with retro character, greater perceived quality and intuitive technology.