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Mini
: First
by Alisdair Suttie
  
As the name suggests, the Mini First is the new starting point for the Mini range. It’s priced more competitively than the chi-chi supermini has been in recent years and it’s also Mini’s way of tempting in younger buyers who might otherwise not be able to afford this sleek looker.
To get the price down to a reasonable level, and also make the First more insurance- and finance-friendly for younger drivers, the engine is a 1.4-litre petrol motor, shared with the Mini One.
For the First, power has been lowered to 75bhp from the One’s 95bhp, which means a consequent drop in performance. Where the One covers 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds, the First needs 13.2 seconds, and top speed is down from the One’s 115mph to 109mph in the First.
On the road, however, the slower performance figures are just not obvious. If anything, the First’s engine feels more flexible and enjoys a wider spread of power. It doesn’t need to be worked hard to feel zesty in town, yet it can be revved to get the best from it on back roads without it ever becoming harsh or noisy.
This is down to the gears in the six-speed gearbox being reworked compared to the One to get the best from the less powerful engine. It also helps make sure the First matches the One’s 53.3mpg economy and 128g/km carbon dioxide emissions.
A welcome side effect of the less powerful engine in the First is it drops the Mini into insurance group 4, where the One is in group 5.
Another bonus with the First is you get to enjoy all of the driving thrills of a Mini at a lower price. The First uses the same suspension, steering and set-up as the rest of the range, so it loves corners and feels as eager to please as a puppy.
Over the bumps, the First is like other Minis, so the suspension is firm but forgiving and is more comfortable than some of the sportier Mini versions that have stiffer suspension.
Inside, the First is also like other Minis, so it looks great and is well built, although some of the trim plastics don’t looks as classy as you might expect of a Mini. This is a criticism of the entire Mini range rather than cost-cutting in the First.
Another Mini-wide gripe is lack of rear seat space. While it’s cosy and comfortable in the front seats, the rear pews are too snug for adults, and the boot is only capable of holding a couple of soft holdalls.
There are Isofix child seat mounts in the rear seats, so the First is a safe option for young families. Also included are twin front, side and curtain airbags, along with ESP traction control.
A CD stereo and electric windows are about the only luxury items that come as standard, so you’ll have to fork out extra for air conditioning, alloy wheels, two-tone paint or any of the myriad trinkets that make Mini ownership so much fun.
Mini offers its usual variety of options packs for the First, which make the car more appealing than in its basic form, but also push the price close to that of the Mini One. However, as the only real advantages the One has over the First are its more powerful engine and standard air conditioning, the Mini First still looks like great value even if you add a few extras.
The First takes the Mini back to its roots as an affordable, appealing small car for the masses. If your one of the masses who fancies a Mini but thought they were too pricey, the First is the ideal place to start.
Facts at a glance
Model: Mini First
Price: £10,950
Engine: 1.4-litre petrol
Performance: 0-62mph: 13.2 secs; top speed: 109mph
CO2 emissions: 128g/km
Combined fuel consumption: 53.3mpg
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