MINI Cooper D Countryman 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
The Cooper D is the cheapest turbo-diesel version of the Countryman. Powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, it makes a healthy 110kW and 330Nm and averages a claimed 4.8L/100km (we ended up at 5.8L/100km).

There’s another diesel in the range, the SD4 ALL4, but while it offers more power and has all-wheel drive – the Cooper D is front-wheel drive – it is a fair bit more expensive.

Not sure the name ‘MINI’ truly applies to vehicle 4300mm long, but if you are a fan of the brand who needs roominess then this is the model to buy because it does have decent interior space.

With the aid of a 130mm slide function for the rear seat you can comfortably fit two adults back there. There’s also up to 450 litres of luggage space behind the rear seat. Split-fold (40:20:40) it flat and you can fit a full-size mountain bike (front wheel removed) behind in this 1390-litre space.

An auto tailgate and a wet bin under the floor are features that added to the versatility of the car’s stowage area.

The Cooper D Countryman is also enjoyable to drive. The engine is willing and attaches to a well-sorted eight-speed auto (no paddle shifts though). The 0-100km/h claim is 8.8sec and feels about right.

MINI espouses the ‘go-kart’ feel of its cars but that generally equates to an overly firm ride and overly-quick steering. Thankfully, the Countryman isn’t as hyperactive as some other models in the range.

The upright exterior dictated by MINI’s traditional styling and some extra ‘SUV’ ride height make this a good vehicle to see out of. That helps heaps around town, as does a small sub-10m turning circle.

How much will it cost?
The Cooper D will set you back $43,900 (plus on-road costs) without any options fitted.

Our car did come with some extras from the huge MINI options list that added another $4000 to that cost. Most of it was trim and paint, although the $1500 Chili Package did add LED headlights and foglights and driving mode adjustment.

Standard Cooper D equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, a reversing camera, active cruise with ‘stop and go’ function, park distance control with park assist, climate control, Bluetooth with audio streaming, cloth/leather upholstery, keyless start, navigation and 18-inch alloys.

The Countryman has a five-star ANCAP rating.

There’s no doubt the interior presentation and material quality of this car is lifted over the previous generation MINI, but it still seems ergonomically clunky and unnecessarily try-hard, with its big circular media screen in the dash and the instruments mounted on the steering column where they can be partially obscured.

The Cooper D comes with run-flat tyres and without a spare tyre, so any SUV cred is shot right there. But to be frank, it didn’t have any in the first place.

More disappointingly for the buying audience, Apple CarPlay is an option for all models bar the top-spec John Cooper Works version of the Countryman and Android Auto isn’t available. A touchscreen function is standard only on the top-spec John Cooper Works.

The Cooper D comes with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and the opportunity to pay for your servicing costs up-front.

Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?
You should buy it if you are a MINI addict with a need for space. You shouldn’t buy it if you simply want a compact SUV or wagon. There are cheaper choices that do a just as good – if not better – job from quality mainstream manufacturers like Mazda and Honda.

When is it available in Australia?
The Countryman is on-sale now.

The range starts with the turbo-petrol triple-cylinder Cooper, then comes the Cooper D, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol Cooper S, the SD4 ALL4 and the flagship John Cooper Works ALL4, powered by a 170kW version of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Who will it appeal to?
This is the car for MINI lovers with a family or with loads to carry.

Where does it fit?
The MINI Cooper D Countryman takes on the likes of the BMW X1 – with which it shares its core UKL architecture – the Audi Q2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

So, what do we think?
Yep, okay, we get it. This is as full-size as a MINI gets and potentially opens the brand up to a new buying audience in need of space as well as a particular style.

But it’s not cheap and it’s still not that practical – except compared to standard-sized MINIs.

A purchase from the heart not the head.

Price: $44,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 110kW/330Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 4.8L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 126g/km (Estimated)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP