The Countryman is the first SUV and four wheel drive vehicle by MINI. It was the first attempt by MINI to launch a large vehicle and it sure does tick all the boxes. The drive is comfortable, the cabin is spacious and it has a family friendly boot. The driving position is quite high providing an excellent all round view. Though there is an option for four wheel drive but like any other MINI, the Countryman is better on road than off, plus the two wheel versions give good fuel economy with great performance.
Though the MINI Countryman is a chunky car -a foot longer, 15cm taller and 10cm wider than the regular hatch- but MINI designers have worked really hard to maintain all the proportions to give it a MINI trademark look. Inside, the cabin has a typical MINI feel thanks to the large Speedo, the dashboard is unique though. The switch gear layout hosts all the controls for windows, air con and locks at the same place which is not that easy on the eye. Some storage cubbies would have been a good idea. MINI Countryman comes with large alloys which give it a tough look.
The Countryman feels agile and engaging to drive. The steering is responsive and gets keen on the challenging turns. The sporty Cooper S gives the best ride doing 0-62mph in 8.3sec, it is powered by a turbocharged 184 bhp1.6 litre engine. Due to its taller suspension and chunk body, the Countryman does not have the road holding of its siblings, but overall it is a lively and easy to drive car that feels safe and steady while on the road. The MINI Countryman managed to score five star Euro NCAP rating, but it could only get an 84 percent rating for adult protection which is low when compared with others in the class like Nissan Juke which was rated 87 percent. MINI has a strong reputation for reliability and the Countryman is not any different. The car is manufactured in an Austrian factory that specialises in SUVs and 4X4s, therefore the build quality is first class.
Practically the MINI Countryman serves the purpose of a family car. It can easily fit four adults of any size. There is a choice for four or five seats. The seats are accommodating and very comfortable which make it ideal for the long journeys. The rear bench of seats can be slid back and forth according to the boot requirement. Boot has 450 litres of space which increases up to 11,70 litres on forwarding the rear seats. The Country man comes with two diesel and three patrol engines to choose from. The 1.6 litre diesel does 64.2mpg and returns the best balance of economy and performance. There is a 'start/stop' function which stops the engine while stuck in a stationary traffic. The Countryman has high residual values. The MINI's TLC package is a real value for money which gives three services in five years or 50,000 miles for about £200. Going for this deal not saves a lot of servicing costs but also keeps the car in good condition.
