Mini Countryman Review, Specs & Performance

Overview of the Mini Countryman

Engines and performance for the Mini Countryman

Engine choices for the Mini Countryman includes a 1.5 litre petrol engine producing 136 HP with a top speed of 124 mph. There's also a 2.0 litre petrol unit producing 192 HP and offering a top speed of 140 mph. Mini also offers the Countryman with a 2.0 litre diesel engine producing 150 HP with better fuel economy of 55 mpg. There's also a new Mini Countryman Plug-in Hybrid that utilises a petrol engine and an electric motor to boost economy and lower emissions. The combined power output helps propel the plug-in hybrid to 62 mph in just 6.8 seconds. The fuel consumption for the Countryman hybrid is up to 157 mpg with emissions of 45g/km. Under all-electric power, the Countryman can cover up to 26 miles without producing any emissions. The switch between eDrive and petrol drive is automatic and so smooth drivers will not notice it.

Equipment and handling

The Mini Countryman is the largest Mini in the carmaker's range and it has been created, they say, for those families who 'live for adventure'. There's the option of the All4 all-wheel drive system for those who really do want to get off the beaten track, and for everyone else the Countryman is an agile and nimble car. It is particularly impressive around town and on winding country roads. There's a 6.6-inch infotainment screen to access a wide range of features including smartphone connectivity. There's also satnav with real-time traffic information fitted as standard and a range of online services, including weather information and online searching. The Mini Countryman also features intelligent emergency call so will automatically contact the emergency services should the system detect that the car has been involved in an accident. For safety, there's rear parking distance control and for enjoyment, there's a DAB radio. Among the (very long) options list is a parking assistant to make parking much easier and a driving assistant package that includes forward collision warning and city collision that help monitor the road ahead and slow the car down if there's an obstacle. There's plenty of space on board and the Countryman has a lot of charm to enjoy. This is really a genuine family car with a practical interior that has been well-designed. The boot measures 450 litres and extends to 1,320 litres when the rear seats are folded down. Some may consider the option of a reversing camera as money well spent and safety can be boosted with a pack that includes adaptive cruise control. Along with assured handling, the manual gearbox helps underpin the fun but for those who will be mostly driving around town, then the six-speed automatic transmission is worth considering since there is little detriment to the fuel economy. Essentially, the Mini Countryman is a sound choice for families looking for a small well-designed SUV and particularly if they want a great car that is fun to drive with the plug-in hybrid certainly worth closer inspection to enjoy low-cost motoring.

More information about the Mini Countryman

Why not have a look at the Countryman on the official Mini UK company website and get the latest news about it at The UK Mini Owners' Club.