MINI Countryman 2017 Review - International

MINI Countryman Cooper S ALL4
International Launch Review
Hedsor, England

Countryman by name it might be, but MINI’s biggest, most versatile model is mostly urban hipster at heart. “Completely newly developed” for 2017, the funked-up five-door mini-SUV boasts more space, better functionality and a range of engines adopted from elsewhere in the MINI range – as well as a range-first plug-in hybrid variant capable of travelling up to 40km on all-electric power. Australia is expected to take only conventionally-powered variants when the model lands in March 2017, with pricing expected to begin from $40,000 (TBC).

The Countryman is the biggest model in MINI’s 57-year history, and certainly one of its least understood. Not quite a wagon and not really an SUV, it’s the jacked-up five-door with the soul of a hatch; and the attitude of an extroverted nonconformist on his/her third single-origin, double-shot ristretto.

Yes, the MINI Countryman is all about attitude; and from its expressive new-look front-end, to its 141kW turbo-petrol engine, promises the kind of individuality only a handful of its competitors dare muster. It’s also finally big enough for all the family – in this new generation MINI has grown the Countryman 200mm from bumper to bumper to extract as much as 220 litres more cargo space.

Based on the same platform that underpins the BMW X1, the Countryman is 30mm wider than the MINI it replaces, has a wheelbase stretched 75mm and offers high-set back seats that can slide longitudinally by 130mm, and fold 40:20:40 to increase cargo space from 450 to 1309 litres. This cargo area is accessed via an optional electric tailgate, replete with optional Picnic Bench [eat your heart out Honda CR-V].

There’s more space up front too, with driver and passenger afforded more head and shoulder-room, and more technology.

MINI maxi on tech
There’s been a general upgrade in tech. Now available are memory recall for the electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, two-mode adaptive shock absorbers, three-mode engine mapping, and choice of 6.5 or 8.8-inch central touchscreen displays.

Thanks to the MINI Country Timer it’s also possible to track your progress over unsealed tracks and trails. The Countryman can even liaise with your Apple iPhone or Watch, or keep track of small objects, pets or luggage via MINI Find Mate wireless tags.

Driver assistance technologies include low-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard, and optional camera-based active cruise control. There is no cross traffic alert or blind-spot monitoring available.

Pedestrian warning, high-beam assistant for now-LED headlights, an electric park brake, and road sign detection are also offered, as is Park Distance Control, a reversing camera, and head-up display.

MINI expects the Countryman to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Pretty country
MINI has also found more space for oddment storage – there’s finally a decent centre console bin and bottle-holders in the doors and additional cup-holders ahead of the gear selector.

The horizontally-themed dashboard features reshaped ventilation outlets for the dual-zone climate control. LED ambient lighting is standard.

Of course, the customisable interior palette remains, cabin trim surfaces and upholstery offered in a multitude of colours and finishes. These join a broad choice of exterior paint colours and alloy wheel designs (16-19 inches diameter).

The new-look Countryman is further differentiated by increased ground clearance, a raised seating position, slimmer roof pillars and higher roof rails. The upright tail-lights and hexagonal grille are all-new, as are the LED headlights. Look closely and you’ll also spot new arrow-shaped repeater lights for the indicators.

MINI’s short overhangs, large wheel-arches and helmet-style roof carry on, though the rear doors are now larger, making it easier to get in and out. Back seat drivers also gain a centre armrest.

More power under the hood
From launch, and in its home market (UK), the MINI Countryman will be offered with a choice of four engines. Familiar to the hatch line-up, these include two petrol and two diesels, all featuring MINI’s TwinPower Turbo (single, variable geometry turbocharger) technology.

The engine range extends to a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol (100kW/220Nm) in Cooper Countryman, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol (141kW/280Nm) for Cooper S Countryman (currently the fastest Countryman variant at 7.2sec 0-100km/h) and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel in two states of tune: 110kW/330Nm in Cooper D Countryman and 140kW/400Nm in Cooper SD Countryman.

All conventionally-powered engine variants are expected in Australia later this year.

Additionally, a petrol-electric hybrid will be offered in selected markets for the first time. Combining a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (100kW) and synchronous electric motor (65kW) the Cooper S E Countryman provides a combined output of 165kW/385Nm. Capable of 40km all-electric range, the model is currently “under study” for Australia.

Aussie MINI Countryman models will be offered with an automatic transmission as standard — eight-speed on all variants excluding the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. The six-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option.

The new automatic transmission, shared with the BMW X1, is said to improve fuel economy in the Countryman by as much as 1.4L/100km.

Mid-year, the Countryman range will be further bolstered by the 170kW John Cooper Works variant with an expected 0-100km/h time of 6.5sec.

Four for more
Available optionally across all non-hybrid variants is MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system. Updated for the second-generation Countryman, the new system is claimed to react quicker to changing situations, while also bolstering efficiency. It can offer up to a 50:50 front-to-rear drive split, but in most instances operates as a front-wheel drive.

Based on the BMW xDrive system, the Countryman’s ALL4 all-wheel drive arrangement operates from a power take-off (PTO) integrated in the front differential, the propeller shaft feeding the rear axle and electro-hydraulic hang-on clutch in tune with the stability control system. Power delivery, and therefore traction, is adjusted according to feedback from the car’s multiple wheel-speed sensors and driver inputs.

As per the previous model, the new MINI Countryman combines strut front and multi-link rear suspension, electromechanical steering with Servotronic (variable assistance) function and four-wheel disc brakes.

Crisp and comfortable
The increase in size has paid dividends inside the Countryman. Coupled with an armrest in the rear, and a better positioned armrest up front, the additional space makes country cruising more comfortable. A light tyre hum (thankyou run-flat tyres) is the only real distraction in cabin serenity.

Seating is now better laid out to house the family and the increase in rear-seat room is especially noticeable. We think the front seats could do with better lateral support, however, given the Countryman’s zeal for corners.

MINI’s renowned ‘go-kart’ handling mantra rings true and the Countryman’s X1-based (UKL) architecture offers both crisp handling and a decent ride. There’s a little suspension noise evident in the front-end over harsh lumps and potholes, though all but the largest of craters go largely unnoticed.

The split in MINI’s three drive modes feels more evident than before. Response is quite sedate in the default setting with the greener Eco mode being rather lethargic. Sport mode really gives the Cooper S version tested a shot at living up to its badge, though even here some turbo lag is evident from standstill or in low-speed roll-on acceleration (say from coasting into a roundabout).

The Countryman’s newly adopted eight-speed automatic adds a definite edge over the outgoing six-speed unit. The refined transmission is quick to act under its own steam and shifts seamlessly irrespective of terrain.

The only real downside here is that the paddle shifts now feel almost redundant. Yes, the transmission’s ‘brain’ is really that good.

Bigger is better
We drove the Countryman in a suitably wet England, across muddy tracks, winding B roads and for a stint on the motorway. It handled all those scenarios with absolute ease.

This is finally a MINI that needn’t be the second car, and is ideal for younger families, or perhaps even coffee-loving extraverts.

In the case of the new Countryman bigger is definitely better, and happily its growth spurt hasn’t come at the cost of the fun-loving attitude we’ve come to expect from the brand. Let’s hope the model’s pricing doesn’t go to its head.

2017 MINI Countryman Cooper S ALL4 pricing and specifications:
Price: $50,000 (estimated, see separate article)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 141kW/280Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.4L/100km (ADR Combined) / 9.6L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 146g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

Also consider:
>> Fiat 500X (from $32,000 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (from $42,900 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (from $37,990 plus ORCs)

MINI Countryman trivia:
Did you know the Countryman nameplate can trace its roots to the late 1940s? Then, the Austin A40 Countryman combined a two-door panel van with six seats to offer SUV-like flexibility unheard of at the time. The badge was later applied to the front-wheel drive Austin Seven Countryman and ‘badge engineered’ Morris Mini Traveller which offered wood-frame panelling and a versatile luggage area, sliding windows at the front, and centre-split ‘barn’ doors at the rear (hello Clubman?).