All three generations of the Mini hatchback created under BMW’s ownership have suffered from a lack of space for both luggage and backseat passengers. The Clubman partly solved the problem, but its rear access remains a weak point. Now though there’s a neater solution: the new 5-door version.

Compared to the existing 3-door model the 5-door’s wheelbase has been stretched by 72 mm (2.8”) to 2,567 mm (101.1”). The overall body length is 3,982 mm (156.8”) or 4,005 mm (157.7”) depending on trim grade, while a reprofiled roofline means the 5-door is 11 mm (0.4”) taller too.

As a result the 60:40 split rear bench seat is intended to accommodate three people, who once inside will find that legroom and headroom have been improved by 72 mm (2.8”) and 15 mm (0.6”) respectively. Furthermore, a boot capacity of 278 litres is almost a third greater than the 3-door’s.

2015 Mini 5-door Hatch. Scroll down for more images.

With those stats the 5-door promises to be a much more practical proposition. Indeed, it could attract a large contingent of customers to the brand that previously hadn’t considered a Mini.

Slotting in a couple of extra doors hasn’t harmed the styling much, either. In fact the bulbous, pedestrian-friendly nose that looks slightly odd on the 3-door seems to fit the overall proportions of the 5-door body a lot better.

When sales begin in the autumn four variants will be available, all of which are going to cost £600 more than the equivalent 3-door.

Cooper 5-door Hatch	UK OTR price: £15,900
Engine	1,499 cc three-cylinder turbo petrol
Power	134 bhp (100 kW / 136 PS) at 4,500 - 6,000 rpm
Torque	220 Nm (162 lb/ft) at 1,250 - 4,000 rpm / 230 Nm (169 lb/ft) with overboost
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	8.2 secs [8.1 secs]
Top speed	128 mph (207 km/h) [128 mph (207 km/h)]
Combined cycle*	58.8 - 60.1 mpg (4.7 - 4.8 l/100km) [57.6 - 58.8 mpg (4.8 - 4.9 l/100km)]
CO2 emissions*	109 - 111 g/km [111 - 114 g/km]
Cooper S 5-door Hatch	UK OTR price: £19,255
Engine	1,988 cc four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power	189 bhp (141 kW / 192 PS) at 4,700 - 6,000 rpm
Torque	280 Nm (206 lb/ft) at 1,250 - 4,750 rpm / 300 Nm (221 lb/ft) with overboost
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	6.9 secs [6.8 secs]
Top speed	144 mph (232 km/h) [142 mph (230 km/h)]
Combined cycle*	47.0 - 47.8 mpg (5.9 - 6.0 l/100km) [51.3 - 52.3 mpg (5.4 - 5.5 l/100km)]
CO2 emissions*	136 - 139 g/km [125 - 128 g/km]
Cooper D 5-door Hatch	UK OTR price: £17,050
Engine	1,496 cc three-cylinder turbo diesel
Power	114 bhp (85 kW / 116 PS) at 4,000 rpm
Torque	270 Nm (199 lb/ft) at 1,750 rpm
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	9.4 secs [9.5 secs]
Top speed	126 mph (203 km/h) [125 mph (202 km/h)]
Combined cycle*	76.3 - 78.5 mpg (3.6 - 3.7 l/100km) [72.4 - 74.3 mpg (3.8 - 3.9 l/100km)]
CO2 emissions*	95 - 97 g/km [99 - 102 g/km]
Cooper SD 5-door Hatch	UK OTR price: £20,050
Engine	1,995 cc four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power	167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS) at 4,000 rpm
Torque	360 Nm (265 lb/ft) at 1,500 - 2,750 rpm
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	7.4 secs [7.3 secs]
Top speed	139 mph (225 km/h) [138 mph (223 km/h)]
Combined cycle*	65.6 - 68.9 mpg (4.1 - 4.3 l/100km) [67.2 - 68.9 mpg (4.1 - 4.2 l/100km)]
CO2 emissions*	109 - 112 g/km [107 - 109 g/km]
[ ] These figures are for cars equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
* Varies according to the tyres fitted.