Facelifted 2021 MINI hatchback range arrives

• New ‘Multitone’ roof option
• Limited-run Collection electric version launched
• Digital dash now standard

The MINI hatchback and its derivatives are all getting facelifted for 2021. There are a number of changes inside and out to keep the MINI range fresh, plus extra options to give even more scope for personalisation. You can order the cars now and first deliveries will be made in spring.

2021 MINI styling

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The MINI’s iconic look remains but a few changes mark it out as the new model. At the front, the chromed grille is now surrounded by a gloss black trim piece that meets the black plastic bumper insert. In the grille, the crossbar is now body-coloured instead of black, while the fog lights have been replaced by air vents to improve the aerodynamics. Changes are limited at the rear, although the bumper gets a new plastic insert and an LED fog light.

Five extra alloy wheel choices and three new paint colours are available, with the MINI Convertible getting an exclusive Zesty Yellow shade. Choose the black trim pack and more parts now get the black finish, including the fuel cap, badges, door handles and exhaust pipes. There’s also the option of the new ‘Multitone’ roof on three-door, five-door and MINI Electric models. It provides a gradient finish and because of the way it’s painted, we’re told every MINI with this roof is unique.

Interior

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The digital instrument cluster that made its debut in the MINI Electric is now standard across the range, along with the central 8.8-inch touchscreen. The screen actually features a new operating system with updated graphics, and you can enjoy enhanced connectivity by downloading the MINI phone app. You can check the fuel or charge level of the car and send sat nav routing from your phone to the car’s screen.

Prices and specs

As before, you can choose from Classic, Sport and Exclusive trim levels but they’ve been tweaked slightly to offer more equipment. Rear parking sensors are now fitted as standard on the latter two, and Exclusive buyers also get a darkened headlining and different driving modes. Sport, meanwhile, introduces adaptive suspension to the MINI range, plus leather upholstery and the black styling pack. All convertibles now get a Union Jack roof, which was previously limited to MINI’s personalisation service.

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A few different option packs are available, each with several desirable features. The Navigation Pack adds sat nav, Apple CarPlay and live traffic updates, and the ‘Plus’ version of the pack also gets a head-up display and wireless phone charging. Cars equipped with the Comfort Pack feature automatic air con, heated seats, a front armrest and extra storage, while the Driver Assistance pack now includes stop-and-go functionality for the adaptive cruise control (if you choose an automatic gearbox).

Prices seem to have come down slightly too. The range starts at £16,045 and £16,745 for the three-door and five-door hatchbacks respectively, and you’ll need to pay at least £20,705 for the MINI Convertible. An automatic gearbox is £1,400 extra.

MINI Electric Collection

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Coinciding with the launch of the facelifted car comes a special-edition MINI Electric model. The Collection version is limited to 300 UK cars and is based on the range-topping Level 3 model. It comes with the Multitone roof, the black pack, exclusive badging and aluminium interior trim. A panoramic sunroof is a no-cost extra and you can choose between two paint colours. It gets the interesting plug socket-styled alloy wheels as standard (they’re normally an optional extra) but the Collection is about £5,000 more expensive than the Level 3, with a starting price of £36,420 after the plug-in car grant.

Level 2 buyers can now select roof rails, active cruise control, the black pack and sun protection glass as optional extras.

What does it mean for car buyers?

Once facelifted MINIs start making their way into dealerships, we’d hope that deals will be available on pre-facelift models. You’ll make up your own mind about whether you need the new features of the updated car but they do seem to enhance the car and haven’t caused prices to rise.

Read our guide to the best automatic cars or check out our rundown of the top three used luxury small cars for £15,000.