The Mini Cooper has been updated - can it tow? Need a Mini Cooper towbar?

The Mini Cooper has been updated - can it tow? Need a Mini Cooper towbar?

The MINI continues to be an upmarket and fashionable hatchback that combines attractive retro styling with a great driving experience. Thanks to the five-door version, which retains the character of the three-door but adds more space, it’s passable family transport, too.

The Mini Mk3, first released in 2013 has been updated with yet another facelift for 2021, the last facelift was in 2018.  It's a subtle facelift but includes the battery-electric Cooper SE variant.

The changes are primarily cosmetic and aimed at keeping the existing version of the car, looking fresh.

The changes include revised fascias front and rear that help to give the car a sportier look, thanks in part to the new front splitter, darkened elements like the grille surround and LED headlamps that incorporate the fog lights that formerly lived in their own housings. Buyers also have the option of a paint fade for the roof, which Mini calls the Multitone Roof.

There is a steering wheel design - three-spoke and features high-quality leather on all trim levels, a new instrument cluster with an 8.8-inch screen, running new operating software. It’s an easy-to-use system and still features plenty of physical buttons to assist. The air vents are now more smoothly integrated into the dashboard too.  There is also an expanded list of electronic driver-assist features and the option of an electronic handbrake instead of a conventional ratchet.

Bright automatic LED headlights and rear lights in a Union Jack design come as standard, and adaptive headlights that dip automatically when another car is approaching can be added as an option on all trims. Auto wipers are standard fit on all models.

The Mini’s trademarks have always included gocart handling and a tight turning circle that makes manoeuvring around town a delight - that's still the case with updated models.  The engine in the Mini Cooper is remarkably smooth and quiet. You feel hardly any vibration from it through the steering wheel and pedals, and you need to really put your foot down to hear more than a muted thrum.

The 211-litre boot is particularly tiny and obviously, the three-door can only seat four, but you absolutely won’t be buying a Mini Hatch for the practicality. Need more space, or to attach a bike carrier - why not fit a Mini towbar. Rated for 1000kgs.  Our Mini towbar suits the new update as well as all models from 2013 onwards.  Unfortunately, the updated petrol S now has centre exhausts that will make fitting impossible, just as the JCW. 

The Mini Hatch remains a cut above the rest of the class inside, has superb drivetrains and a very well-sorted chassis to handle whatever poke is provided by the chosen motor up front. The facelift has certainly provided a bolder face (naturally), but it’ll hardly alter its showroom appeal and the almost-limitless Mini Yours Customised options list guarantees that it’ll still fly out of showrooms.

Our towbar will fit the 3 and 5 door model - just ensure your Mini has a tow rating otherwise can only be used to carry bikes on a ball mounted carrier.

Order your Mini Cooper towbar today.