No small city car has as much charm or is as much fun to drive as the 2021 Mini Cooper.
Pros Adorbs Quirky fun interior Fun to drive Customization comes easy Manual is back
Cons Cramped cargo area Cramped rear seats Dwarfed by other cars Can be kitschy Can be expensive
The 2021 MINI Cooper's #5 ranking is based on its score within the Subcompact Cars category. Currently the MINI Cooper has a score of 7.7 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 36 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Nimble handling Energetic engines Stylish cabin Good predicted reliability rating
Cons Significantly more expensive than its classmates Below-average cargo capacity Worse fuel economy than rivals
Manual-transmission Minis took a hiatus recently, but the six-speed stick is once again available for 2021 Cooper and Cooper S models, including the three- and five-door Hardtop models in addition to the convertible.
Pros Fun handling, distinctive design, lots of customization possibilities.
Cons Cramped interior, costly options, uncomfortable ride.
The SsangYong Tivoli is central to this aim, its built on an all-new platform to compete with cars such as the Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport and the Vauxhall Mokka in the ever-popular (and still growing) small crossover market. While the Tivoli can’t match the striking styling of the Juke, this is arguably the best-looking SsangYong yet, and the company is claiming to have taken massive strides on the inside, too. The car will also come loaded with kit, including an optional seven-inch central screen on the dashboard.
Pros Spacious for its size Generous standard equipment Cheap
Cons Not as striking as the Juke Quality falls behind the best in class Bland to drive
The Ssangyong Tivoli competes in the small SUV market, alongside rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul. These cars offer the look and feel of an off-roader, but with performance and running costs more akin to a family hatchback. Do bear in mind, however, they’re better suited to on-road driving than traversing muddy lanes. That’s certainly the case with the Tivoli, although unlike its aforementioned rivals, you can order it with four-wheel drive on higher trims. A 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel is available throughout the range, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic is available for both engines on all but the entry-level SE.
You can put aside your reservations about the SsangYong badge, because the Tivoli is a thoroughly capable small crossover for the money. It’s not the most stylish inside or out, and it won’t win awards for ride comfort or refinement, but you get a lot of space and kit for little financial outlay. The latter two points are especially true of the Tivoli XLV, but it’s more expensive, and we'd go for the two-wheel-drive version to save some money. The standard Tivoli is decent to drive, while with the diesel engine and is by far the best on-road car SsangYong has built yet.