A big blast
The new Countryman is largest in Mini lineup and the most practical
Small spaces and narrow streets lend themselves well to all of Mini’s cars, which are all perfect companions for exploring a city.
But the new Countryman is bigger than anything Mini has built before and, because of that, seems better suited for adventures away from the city.
Not only is it the biggest vehicle in the lineup, but it’s also the most practical and rugged.
Additionally, the many high-tech features and luxury options that are found on modern Minis are available here, making the Countryman an awesome do- anything, go-anywhere vehicle with a premium edge.
This bullet point about the Countryman being the biggest Mini ever may scare some folks into thinking the car is losing the personality that also makes the Mini brand such a quirky, appealing choice.
However, things aren’t as bad as they seem, and much of the credit goes to a new vehicle architecture and a choice of turbocharged engines.
The underpinnings of the Countryman are closely related to the BMW X1, with the two sharing the same wheelbase, though the Mini is shorter overall, leaving little room for cannibalization between these sister brands.
In comparison to the old model, though, the 2017 Countryman is about 88 millimetres longer, 33 mm wider, and rolls on a wheelbase that’s 74 mm longer.
Interior The size difference is evident on the outside, as all the usual Mini features are further exaggerated, including the big headlights and tail lights and the bubbled hood.
But the difference is most appreciated inside the car, where there’s 30per-cent more cargo room. Passengers will love the headroom and those in the back won’t be complaining either. as there’s more wiggle room, making the Countryman seem far more agreeable as a family car.
Much like the rest of the recent Mini lineup, the interior of the new Countryman has grown up, too. Materials are top notch and there are great options. The toggle switches on the centre stack are still here, but they’re complemented by excellent, rugged and tactile knobs, a colourful central dial and high-quality finishes throughout the cabin.
There’s also a ton of standard equipment, with North American models getting things such as a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, pushbutton start, a 6.5-inch infotainment system, rear-view camera, parking sensors, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers. Those are standard features typically found on premium cars from the likes of Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
There are sliding rear seats that can recline and fold with a 40:20:40 split. Additionally, Cooper models get 17inch light alloy wheels. Cooper S models sport 18-inch shoes.
Other options include an 8.8-inch upgraded infotainment system, heated seats, bucket thrones, wireless phone charging and even special tags that you can put on your favourite things that will alert you if you drive off without them in the car.
For the more adventurous type, there is an optional picnic bench that puts a cushioned seat over the rear hatch opening, which can then be used as a place to sit back and relax.
And the great outdoors seems to be the Countryman’s true calling, as we got to play with all-wheel-drive models in the mud, trying to upset and confuse the updated vehicles. These cars will easily handle the worst your day-to-day commute will throw at them, laughing off muddy roads, snowy routes and icy patches.
Under the hood There’s some concern about what’s motivating the base-model Countryman: A turbocharged three-cylinder making 134 horsepower that’s paired with the choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
Although we didn’t get a chance to drive these models, the torque output is an awesome 162 lb.-ft. at a low 1,250 r.p.m., which is an encouraging sign for a car that tips the scale at just 1,497 kilograms. That turbo-three is paired to an electric motor in the upcoming plug-in hybrid version.
With a total output of 221 hp and 284 lb.-ft. of torque, it should have enough grunt to satisfy the increased weight of the electrical components, while delivering an all-electric range of at least 32 kilometres. We sampled four-wheel-drive Countryman Cooper S models that featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, which makes 189 hp and 207 lb.-ft. of torque and enables the 1,665-kg car to hit highway speeds in about seven seconds.
Although Cooper S models, like the one tested, use an eight-speed automatic, Mini also offers its small crossover with a six-speed manual gearbox, which should make it the ideal choice in this segment for enthusiasts.
Driving Furthering the appeal of the Countryman Cooper S model that we tested is the way it drives. It feels agile and responsive, with heavy steering that provides a feeling of precision on the road. The steering is also responsive, with a nice amount of feedback, a trait that’s hard to find in small crossovers.
While the old model was stiff and uncomfortable, often crashing over bumps and cracked pavement, the new model is much softer and capable of handling rougher roads in addition to a light trail or two.
Although this means the car isn’t as buttoned down and sprightly feeling as the outgoing model, it’s still fun to drive, with a playful personality that has matured slightly. The automatic gearbox is snappy and changes gears without any second guesses, and our model featured big paddle shifters if you want to shift on your own.
The car also comes with selectable drive modes, with a Sport mode that gives the steering a bit more heft and improves throttle response. A Green mode is also available, which dulls the throttle response a bit.
Starting at $26,990 in Canada, the base, three-cylinder, front-wheeldrive Countryman pricing sits in between non-premium compact crossovers like the Honda HR-V (which starts at about $20,000) and luxury compact models like the Mercedes- Benz GLA-Class (which starts at about $38,000), although the Mini skews toward luxury vehicles in terms of equipment. More people will opt for the Cooper S, all-wheeldrive model, which starts at more than $30,000.
The verdict Mature is the most appropriate way to describe the new Countryman.
The old model was a bit flawed in some ways and was criticized as being an awkward vehicle within the Mini lineup. Still, people embraced it and it had sold more than half a million units worldwide since its debut in 2010, despite a “too-stiff-for-an-SUV” suspension and an interior that was best described as adequate.
This new model is far more featurefilled, it has a much better interior and it drives more comfortably on the road. Of course, with its added size and all-wheel-drive capability, it’s more practical than anything else in the Mini lineup. And, thankfully, it’s still a blast to drive.