Equipment
The new Countryman arrives with a notable increase in standard equipment. As well as the already mentioned satellite navigation, there is Bluetooth connectivity, a DAB radio, parking sensors and cruise control all supplied.
It is easy, however, to significantly increase the cost of your car by wholesale delving into the options list – our test vehicle included some £7,000 of extras.
Almost £3,000 of this was accounted for by the ‘Chili’ option pack, which includes the driving modes, auto air conditioning, LED fog lamps, sports seats and such like. And another £950 buys the media pack, with an enhanced satnav boasting a screen enlarged in diameter by more than two inches, wireless charging for smartphones and the Mini Connected assistance service.
There are luxury options too, such as the powered tailgate, and even a picnic bench that slots atop the boot sill.
Safety results are good, with the new Mini Countryman scoring a five-star rating from Euro NCAP.
Summary
The Countryman will continue to divide opinions, particularly amongst traditional Mini enthusiasts who will no doubt object primarily to its size and styling. Maybe that’s not really a valid argument with even the likes of Jaguar, Bentley and Maserati now offering crossovers – so long as you forget the brand name of this car.
The opinions won’t worry Mini. The brand’s oft-best seller has been improved in just about every area and is already flying out of showrooms. The bigger dimensions have simply made a highly popular car more practical, and the Mini Countryman will continue to find many fans.
Mini Countryman – key specifications
Model tested: Mini Cooper D ALL4 Countryman
Test Date: June 2017
Price: £27,620, with options £35,740
Insurance group: 21E
Engine: 1995cc diesel, four-cylinder inline.
Power (hp):150 @ 4.000rpm.
Torque (Nm):330 @ 1,750rpm.
0-62mph (sec):8.8
Top speed (mph): 127.
Fuel economy (combined, mpg): 58.9.
CO2 emissions (g/km):132.
Key rivals: BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q2.
