Buyers shopping for a five-door European hatchback are spoilt for choice, because apart from the usual French and German models, there is a British one, too.
The MINI 5-Door finally gives the British marque a contender in this segment. Apart from having more space and a roomier boot compared to the 3-Door variant, MINI says that the 5-Door offers just as much driving excitement as its 3-Door sibling.
Looking more exciting than its lesser siblings is the 150bhp Volkswagen Golf, which comes standard with the R-Line package. Said package not only includes trim-specific body components, but much larger wheels, too.
The newest competitor in this segment is the Opel Astra, which has improved build quality, better performance and more room than its predecessor.
Which of these spirited hatchbacks will prove to be the most compelling to buyers? Keep reading to find out!
MINI Cooper 5-Door’s cockpit is the most stylish and driver-focussed, as the gearbox’s manual override points are “correctly” located and the seats are the only ones with extendable thigh-rests.
Opel Astra’s cockpit is the best for road trips as it has the most supportive seats and widest footrest. It lacks the Drive Mode selector found in its rivals, but its helm is the most accurate of the group.
Volkswagen Golf’s cockpit is the most practical and driver-friendly space, with the roomiest storage points, most intuitive infotainment system and the clearest all-round visibility. It’s also the sole contender with a sunroof as standard.
