FIRST LOOK Mini Countryman
Small SUV gets an interior revamp and a longer range for the plug-in hybrid model On sale August Price from £24,000 (est)
WHEN SHOPPING FOR new jeans, even when you need to go one size up – don’t worry, there’s no judgement here – you don’t want them to look any bigger on you.you want big comfort, but in a small package.and that’s why, despite being an SUV, this facelifted Mini Countryman retains the cutesy styling and proportions of its iconic hatchback sibling.
Gaining more aggressive front and rear bumpers, the updated Countryman also gets LED lights as standard and a wider selection of paintwork and personalisation options, as well as alloy wheels of up to 19in in diameter.
Inside, the Countryman inherits the Mini Electric’s 5.0in digital instrument cluster.an 8.8in infotainment screen is standard and, unlike most rivals, is controlled via a dial on the centre console rather than by touch. It’s also permanently connected to the internet, allowing it to show you real-time traf c information and answer your questions using Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant.
Space for passengers and luggage hasn’t changed, so all but the tallest passengers will still be able to get comfy in the rear seats, and you can t more luggage in the Countryman’s boot than you can in the rival Audi Q2’s.the Ford Puma will hold even more, though.
Buyers have 134bhp and 176bhp petrol engines, a 176bhp diesel and a 217bhp plugin hybrid to choose from. The latter combines a three-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, emits just 40g/km of CO2 and returns upwards of 166mpg in of cial tests. It also features four-wheel drive and can travel for up to 38 miles using electric power alone (12 miles more than the current hybrid), so the school run or your weekday commute could be completed without using any petrol.
We expect prices to start at around £24,000 – a modest increase over the outgoing model that means the largest Mini will still be pricier than the Q2 and Puma.
Healthy discounts can be expected, though; What Car? New Car Buying can offer upwards of £3000 off the current Countryman, and this bodes well for deals on the updated model.