FEW COMPETITORS CAN MATCH THIS NOT-SO-MINI COUNTRYMAN
Upscale compact and punchy crossover comes with premium package of upgrades
While my contention is still that most small crossovers aren’t known for being especially powerful or quick — or even particularly sporty — there are exceptions to the rule. One of those exceptions is the Mini Cooper Countryman when decked out in full John Cooper Works (JCW) regalia. When there’s 228 horsepower to squeeze out in a package that tips the scales at a relatively light (for a crossover) 1,657 kilograms, there’s much fun to be had. This shouldn’t come as much surprise to anyone who has driven any Mini Cooper model, even if the Countryman is the heaviest and most ungainly of the bunch. There is a weasel clause, though. While the Countryman is of smaller dimensions for a compact crossover — it would fit in with the Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, et al — it’s priced against a whole different set of competitors. Think Volvo XC40, Audi Q3, Lexus NX, BMW X1 (of which the Countryman is a fraternal twin; both are built on the same UKL2 platform and share identical engines and transmissions), and quite a few others. Yes, the JCW Countryman is an upscale product, with a starting price of $39,790, emphasis on starting. This particular tester, the obviously named Midnight Black Edition, comes with a $7,200 premium and a host of upgrades. How you approach the Countryman depends on your open-mindedness. If you’re looking for something more than budget-priced or mainstream — a “personal” crossover that can double as family transportation, in other words — then the list of competitive makes is long and varied. If you’re looking for something more outré and fun, or perhaps a more versatile Mini — one that will actually seat four in relative comfort with something other than a shoebox-sized cargo area — then the Countryman starts to shine. And if you want a crossover with performance dynamics more akin to a half-decent sporty car (and why wouldn’t you?) then forking over the dough for the JCW version is the way to go. The turbo four-cylinder engine has more than enough zip to keep it ahead of most traffic, and makes merging into highway traffic a breeze. Thank the engine’s substantial torque — 258 pound-feet starting from just 1,450 rpm — for that. And flick the console switch to Sport from Mid (the default; there’s Eco as well) and the Mini responds with a hooligan-esque aural accompaniment from the dual exhausts, replete with snaps, crackles and pops on the downshifts. Yet, like its smaller siblings, the Countryman’s forte is handling. Yes, I said it’s sluggish in comparison to other models wearing the Mini badge. But against any crossover in its class, it’s a scofflaw’s delight because the JCW is blessed with a low centre of gravity, a wide track and all the benefits of a tight, well-tuned sport suspension and performance brakes. Even with the Midnight Black Edition’s 19-inch, run-flat Bridgestone Potenza rubber, the ride — though decidedly firm — won’t shake your fillings loose, not even over patched pavement. If nothing else, the Countryman feels completely buttoned up, as though you’re driving something carved out of a single chunk of metal. The speed-sensitive Servotronic steering, which initially feels overly weighted at lower speeds, loosen ups under a more aggressive throttle and provides excellent feel on twisty roads in the turns. The brakes are particularly efficient, though they can feel a touch grabby near stop. The second-generation Countryman, which made its debut for the 2017 model year, is certainly more deserving of being called family transportation than its predecessor, being about 200 millimetres longer, 30 mm wider and sporting a 75-mm longer wheelbase. So there is legitimate room for two in the back seats, as long as none aboard are of more extreme measurements. Mini cabins, no matter the model, are an eye-opener for anyone who is unfamiliar with the brand, with their large circular gauges and displays, and the multiplicity of toggle switches. It’s all so jaunty, a visual reminder that Minis march to
When there’s 228 horsepower to squeeze out in a package that tips the scales at a relatively light (for a crossover) 1,657 kilograms, there’s much fun to be had.
their own beat. Having decided that you look good in black, black and more black, and want to pay $7,200 for the Prince of Darkness — sorry, Midnight Black — Edition, you will at least get an extremely well-equipped Countryman. It includes all the usual modern conveniences, plus sport seats with thigh extensions, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Harman Kardon sound system, an 8.8-inch colour touch screen, GPS navigation, a bunch of connected services and far more. Rear park distance control, automatic headlights, parking sensors and a rear-view camera with guidelines are standard. As for cargo room, the Countryman at least allows for weekend getaways without having to use the back seat for storage: There’s 450 L of space behind the back seats, and as much as 1,390 with the seats folded. The John Cooper Works version won’t be to everyone’s tastes. However, if you like maximum hooligan potential in a small, semi-versatile, all-wheel-drive crossover package, there are few others that will run with this Countryman. As for the Midnight Black Edition’s overwhelmingly monochromatic shade (which to my mind merely accentuates the Countryman’s lumpish shape) forget the package and go with one of the multiple brighter, happier colour choices.