Test MINI Countryman, the five-door inflated on steroids

These days, retro is in fashion , there's no doubt about it. We see it in home decor, in motorcycles with restored Vespas or the "Cafe Racer" style, and also in cars. The Fiat 500 resurfaced a few years ago and its success is undeniable. The British brand MINI returned with updated products and was also a hit, so why not capitalize on it ? Fiat, for its part, expanded the 500 range with the 500X and 500L , while MINI created models like the 5-door , Clubman, and Countryman.

Today, on Motor News, we're getting behind the wheel of the MINI Countryman Cooper D. It's probably the least "mini" car in the brand's history, but the blend of traditional styling and details with robustness and spaciousness has created a well-rounded product, making it the most practical car in the range . All of this is further enhanced by the expertise of the BMW Group, which owns the British brand.

This is the second generation of the MINI Countryman, so the differences compared to its predecessor go far beyond minor aesthetic changes. The new Countryman has grown considerably. Its exterior dimensions are 4,30 meters long, 1,82 meters wide, and 1,56 meters high, representing an increase of no less than 20 cm in length and 3 cm in width. Its wheelbase has also increased to 2,67 meters.

Very robust and large, but very MINI

The MINI Countryman no longer features the perfectly circular headlights of its predecessor. While it retains that essence, they now have a more oval shape with almost straight lines. Furthermore, the lighting is now full LED . On the hood, in addition to the black decorative stripes, which cost €125, we see creases that add a lot of character to its appearance. The main grille is large, and there's a significant amount of black plastic cladding across the bumper to enhance its visual robustness.

These black lower protective elements are also visible on the side sills and wheel arches. Our test vehicle features optional 19-inch gray alloy wheels that cost a whopping €2.500 , but they suit it perfectly. The side view allows us to better appreciate its two-tone bodywork, with a gloss black roof combined with chestnut brown. The short overhangs and roof rails are also noteworthy .

Moving to the rear, we find a less daring design, quite different from its predecessor. The taillights are now positioned more vertically, and the tailgate appears better integrated than before , offering more surface area, which is always helpful when loading or unloading the trunk. Protective cladding continues to be present along the lower part of the bumper.

habitability

While it's the largest MINI ever on the outside, there was no doubt that the interior would also be the most spacious car the brand has ever produced . Accustomed to three-door and four-seater versions, this Countryman feels like a mansion compared to the three- and five-door models.

The front seats are spacious enough for people of virtually any size, but the real advantages of this MINI Countryman lie in the second row. Five adults won't travel comfortably, but a trip for four adults and a child is manageable; five adults can even travel comfortably on shorter journeys. Headroom and legroom are good, though width is a bit limited.

The rear seats , as in our case, can be equipped with adjustable backrest angle and 13 cm of fore-and-aft adjustment . This provides flexibility and comfort , as we can configure them to our liking, increasing cargo space or passenger room depending on the needs of the moment.

Since we've discussed cargo space, let's move on to the trunk . The test vehicle features power opening and closing at the touch of a button. The maximum trunk capacity is 450 liters , an increase of no less than 100 liters compared to its predecessor. Folding down the second row expands the space to 1.390 liters.

Very high interior quality and customization options

One of the hallmarks of this brand is its extensive customization options, both inside and out, something that is certainly evident in the Countryman and has been particularly well-utilized in our test car. The test vehicle was packed with optional extras , including the John Cooper Works interior package with "Carbon Black" leather seats, heated electric seats, Alcantara door trim, the Wired package, and a high-quality Harman/Kardon sound system valued at €850. As we mentioned, this is just one of many options.

But focusing on the design itself, its interior is very much in keeping with the brand's style. Behind the sporty, comfortable, attractive, and very upright steering wheel, we have the tachometer and speedometer gauges, whose display isn't exactly the most practical on the market. The screen for trip information is quite basic. Luckily, there's a head-up display available for €600.

In the center of the dashboard, we find the main screen framed by a ring , reminiscent of the old speedometers used in the British brand that were once located there. Through this screen and a control on the center console, we manage most of the car's systems, including the "Professional" navigation system. Its image quality and touch response are excellent , but in our opinion, it would have been better if it were positioned a few centimeters higher. Below it are the climate controls, and further down, the typical fighter jet-style buttons , including the red start button.

The perceived quality of the interior of this MINI Countryman Cooper D is very high, exceeding our expectations . That said, although it's a MINI and already has numerous storage compartments, we would have liked a few more, and perhaps a bit larger.

At the moment, engines between 136 and 231 CV

The MINI Countryman is available with six different engines . The diesel range consists of the Cooper D and Cooper SD versions , producing 150 and 190 hp respectively, and can be paired with either front-wheel drive or ALL4 all-wheel drive. The gasoline options include the Cooper, Cooper S, and the sporty John Cooper Works , delivering 136, 192, and 231 hp respectively. The most powerful of these comes exclusively with all-wheel drive. There's also a plug-in hybrid , the 224 hp Cooper SE Countryman.

MINI Countryman Cooper D, 2-litre diesel with 150 hp

As we mentioned earlier, we tested the MINI Countryman Cooper D. This version uses a 2.0-liter diesel engine with four cylinders, double overhead camshafts, 16 valves, and a variable-geometry turbocharger. It develops 150 hp , while its maximum torque is 330 Nm , available from 1.750 rpm. According to the manufacturer's figures, this version can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,9 seconds , reaching a top speed of 208 km/h. Meanwhile, the official combined fuel consumption is 4,3 liters per 4 km.

On going

The moment arrives to depress the clutch and press the red button located at the bottom of the center console. The 2-liter, 150-hp engine roars to life. We shift into first gear, release the electric parking brake, and off we go. In the initial stages, the noise and subtle vibrations of the diesel engine are noticeable, but after a few minutes, once it warms up, they disappear.

Its power delivery is forceful , especially from around 1.600 rpm; it really kicks in. The way it delivers power reminds us of engines from a few years ago, with minimal lag but hitting hard ; even with the relatively long gear ratios of its six-speed manual transmission. In this respect, it doesn't feel like we're dealing with a car that weighs a ton and a half.

After just a few kilometers on the highway, we were already convinced that the MINI Countryman Cooper D, despite its weight and large 225/45 R19 wheels, isn't a thirsty car. At 120 km/h, it manages a fuel consumption of 5,3 liters per 100 km; while the total consumption for our test drive was 5,9 liters per 100 km , which is quite good. Furthermore, its adaptive suspension effectively filters out road imperfections even with such low-profile tires. Its excellent sound insulation is also noteworthy, allowing only a touch of road noise to reach the occupants.

Before testing it, we had the feeling it wouldn't be an agile car and wouldn't maintain the direct handling of the 3-door. While it's not quite as dynamic, the steering, gearshift feel, and engine response convey a sportier sensation than most models on the market (excluding the sport versions). It's not as playful as the Mini , but its cornering speed can be impressive, inspiring a lot of confidence in the driver. That said, we did need some time to adapt to effectively control the braking due to the pedal feel.

The direct steering helps us feel comfortable in the city, although here (due to speed bumps, humps, and manhole covers) the firm suspension tuning and the low-profile tires—which, to make matters worse, are run-flat—will be noticeable. The rearview camera and the high-quality main screen will help us maneuver, but we must also say that visibility through the side mirrors isn't as good as we'd like. In this respect, the thin pillars and the large glass area of ​​the body are in its favor.

Can you venture off-road ? Yes, but don't go much further than you would with any other car. The ground clearance is greater than that of a non-SUV passenger car, but not by many centimeters. Remember that its wheelbase has grown considerably, so you might scrape the ground . This particular model doesn't have all-wheel drive, and its tires aren't exactly ideal for off-roading beyond a well-maintained track.

Conclusions

Although this Countryman is quite different in size from the usual MINIs, it hasn't lost any of its dynamism or key design elements . Does it truly continue the MINI philosophy? That all depends on your taste. In any case, there's no doubt that it's the most versatile and, therefore, most logical car from the British brand . However, our test vehicle has a price tag approaching €48.000 , so buying it with so many options seems impractical.

Equipment

cooper

• MINI Connected
• Body color mirror caps
• Longitudinal rails for the roof rack
• Full-LED headlights
• LED fog lights
• Passenger seat with height adjustment
• Alloy wheels in 16 inches
• Wheels with anti-theft screw
• tire repair kit
• smoking kit
• Smart emergency call
• Climate
• Multifunction steering wheel

Cooper S

• Cruise control with automatic brake function
• Sports seats in the front seats
• PerformanceControl
• 17-inch alloy wheels

John Cooper Works

• Rear parking distance control
• Rear spoiler
• John Cooper Works Sports Seats
• Comfort access
• sports suspension
• Carbon black fabric interior
• 18-inch wheels

Prices MINI Countryman

Editor's opinion

MINI Countryman Image Gallery