Alternative review of MINI Cooper

Let's face it, I don't have a large family to cart about daily. Only a large husband who uses me as a taxi service. So something MINI sized would suit me nicely. Once the MINI Cooper arrived at the office, I was surprised at quite how large it was - the TV ads had me thinking that it wouldn't be too far off the original. Still, the cute styling appealed to me, as did the BMW heritage. I could see a fun week ahead.

If you remember the original Mini, it was an engineering breakthrough, a marvel if you will. Given the current technological clime, the new incarnation would have a hard job to replicate that. So it simply doesn't try and loads itself up with all the de rigeur goodies that we have come to expect - ABS, PAS, stereo, airbags and so on. Externally, the MINI has been the subject of a minor facelift. Clear lens headlamps now appear at the front and the rear light clusters have been restyled to incorporate the reversing lights. The Cooper now has a lower front bumper and the rubbing strip that runs across the rear is split in the middle to accommodate the rear fog lamp. If you do fancy looking under the rear of the car, you'll spot BMW's Z-axle multi-link suspension, as previously seen on the main BMW 3-series models. With a name to impress your friends at parties, this set-up is an expensive and sophisticated piece of kit, lending the MINI an excellent ride quality. The rear accommodation is minimal - you'd never ever get an adult back there unless you chopped them up very small. Even kids would find it hard work to clamber in and out. But you wouldn't really be buying this car if you regularly travelled more than 2-up anyway. Thankfully, the pathetic boot of yore has been replaced with a much more practical hatchback. While you might not be able to fit a bedroom suite in there, you can at least get a few travelling bags, briefcases and pints of milk to squeeze in.

The first thing that I would say about driving the MINI is that it is not a reproduction of Alec Issigonis's original dream, but more a synthetic repackaging. Unfortunately, the word synthetic fits pretty well - what at first looks like aluminium is in fact rather thin plastic. The speedometer, unmoved from its original central location, looks like a clock from a bargain homewares store and the steering wheel sat rather uncomfortably in my hands. Still, these things are cosmetic - I could learn to live with them. Out on the open road, things start to stack up in the MINI's favour. The 1.6-litre 115bhp engine is capable of 125mph after side-stepping 60mph in 9.2s, and still can return a fuel economy of 42.2mpg. Style needn't always come with a premium price tag. The driving experience is a pleasant one, with the steering rack relatively direct, transmitting road feel to the driver. Visibility is good and all of the controls are logically placed and easy to get at - even in the pitch black (undeniably the worst time to take your first drive in an unfamiliar car). Comfortable seats will ensure that even longer journeys are a pleasure and plenty of height adjustment allows even lanky husbands to fold themselves in well enough. An optional Steptronic CVT gearbox is available if you're feeling flush.

I think I could live with MINI's Cooper. So it wasn't named after a fez-adorned hero of British comedy, but it does raise a smile none the less. And that, on a wintry Monday morning, is always a good thing.