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The MINI Countryman is a car that enthusiasts of the original Mini love to hate – but buyers can’t get enough of them. The first generation car sold well all the way up to its replacement, and the Mk2 is just as popular while the crossover boom continues.
Like the MINI Hatch and Clubman estate, the Countryman is bigger and more expensive than before. It’s also more spacious inside, now proving to be a truly practical family car, while interior quality has taken a significant step up. It drives well, too – sacrificing some of the enjoyment of smaller MINIs for a grown-up and refined driving experience.
With the Countryman now available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, there's a model for everyone, so it's easier than ever to recommend.
The MINI Countryman is the biggest car for sale in the MINI line-up. That makes it something of a contradiction to the original Mini ethos, but it has used the retro appeal of the classic car to attract SUV buyers wanting an upmarket family car with some clever packaging.
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Launched in 2017 and lightly facelifted in 2020, the current Countryman now includes a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant in the range alongside the standard petrol and diesel models. However, as well as offering more variety and additional space, the price of the MINI Countryman has also risen, starting from around £24,000 and rising to £38,000 for the John Cooper Works performance version.
This price range means the MINI Countryman goes up against a variety of rivals in the premium small SUV class. There's the Audi Q2 or slightly larger Q3, the Mercedes GLA and Volvo XC40, while cars like the VW T-Roc and Mazda CX-3 offer something different for a little less outlay.
As with the rest of the MINI range, the Countryman comes in Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S versions, with two- and four-wheel-drive variants available. These are joined by the Cooper S E PHEV plug-in hybrid, too. This is the core of the line-up, while there are Classic, Exclusive and Sport packages that bundle desirable kit together. All cars come in Classic spec as standard, while the Sport and Exclusive packs are the same price in terms of upgrading. Sitting at the top of the range, is the standalone 302bhp John Cooper Works version.
The Cooper features a 134bhp 1.5 three-cylinder turbo petrol that's found across the BMW and MINI line-ups, while the Cooper S now has a 176bhp turbo four-cylinder unit.
Diesel power is catered for by the 148bhp Cooper D, as there is no longer a more powerful Cooper SD offered. All front-wheel-drive cars come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with an optional seven- speed dual-clutch automatic. However, if you opt for an all-wheel-drive Countryman with Sport or Exclusive trim, an eight-speed torque converter automatic is fitted by default.
For the ultimate in efficiency, the PHEV offers a zero-emissions driving range of around 28 miles on electric power, although of course you're only going to reap the benefits by plugging the battery in to recharge as often as possible.
For an alternative review of the latest MINI Countryman SUV visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
Continue reading...
Like the MINI Hatch and Clubman estate, the Countryman is bigger and more expensive than before. It’s also more spacious inside, now proving to be a truly practical family car, while interior quality has taken a significant step up. It drives well, too – sacrificing some of the enjoyment of smaller MINIs for a grown-up and refined driving experience.
With the Countryman now available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, there's a model for everyone, so it's easier than ever to recommend.
The MINI Countryman is the biggest car for sale in the MINI line-up. That makes it something of a contradiction to the original Mini ethos, but it has used the retro appeal of the classic car to attract SUV buyers wanting an upmarket family car with some clever packaging.
image
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image
image
image
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Launched in 2017 and lightly facelifted in 2020, the current Countryman now includes a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant in the range alongside the standard petrol and diesel models. However, as well as offering more variety and additional space, the price of the MINI Countryman has also risen, starting from around £24,000 and rising to £38,000 for the John Cooper Works performance version.
This price range means the MINI Countryman goes up against a variety of rivals in the premium small SUV class. There's the Audi Q2 or slightly larger Q3, the Mercedes GLA and Volvo XC40, while cars like the VW T-Roc and Mazda CX-3 offer something different for a little less outlay.
As with the rest of the MINI range, the Countryman comes in Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S versions, with two- and four-wheel-drive variants available. These are joined by the Cooper S E PHEV plug-in hybrid, too. This is the core of the line-up, while there are Classic, Exclusive and Sport packages that bundle desirable kit together. All cars come in Classic spec as standard, while the Sport and Exclusive packs are the same price in terms of upgrading. Sitting at the top of the range, is the standalone 302bhp John Cooper Works version.
The Cooper features a 134bhp 1.5 three-cylinder turbo petrol that's found across the BMW and MINI line-ups, while the Cooper S now has a 176bhp turbo four-cylinder unit.
Diesel power is catered for by the 148bhp Cooper D, as there is no longer a more powerful Cooper SD offered. All front-wheel-drive cars come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with an optional seven- speed dual-clutch automatic. However, if you opt for an all-wheel-drive Countryman with Sport or Exclusive trim, an eight-speed torque converter automatic is fitted by default.
For the ultimate in efficiency, the PHEV offers a zero-emissions driving range of around 28 miles on electric power, although of course you're only going to reap the benefits by plugging the battery in to recharge as often as possible.
For an alternative review of the latest MINI Countryman SUV visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
Continue reading...