MINI Countryman

Part people carrier, part off-roader, MINI Countryman impresses with style and versatility

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Rating:
Latest deal price: from £15,912 to £25,939
For : Good to look at, versatile interior, strong residuals
Against : Handling no match for hatchback, thirsty 4WDs

The MINI Countryman is a landmark product. Not only is it the first MINI with enough cabin space to seat four adults in comfort, it also offers a big, family-friendly boot. The high driving position offers a great view of the road ahead, and it’s comfortable on uneven roads, thanks to supple suspension and a high ride height. Four-wheel drive is an optional extra, and offers limited off road ability. Two-wheel drive diesel versions offer the best blend of fuel economy and performance.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the MINI Countryman

Styling

There's no doubt that the MINI Countryman is a big car, but the swooping lines and colour coded bodywork do help ensure it's good to look at. Big alloy wheels, a high ride height and and underbody protection give this car a tough look, and offer an extra slug of road presence.

Interior

The good news is that this really is a car you could cover very large distances in. Not only are the seats spacious and supportive, but comfortable too. We really like the view of the road ahead offered by the tall suspension. Because this car sits higher from the ground than a standard hatchback, you can see more of the road ahead, allowing you to plan your every move.

Driving and Performance

There's no doubt that the Countryman is fun to drive... Especially if you pick a high performance John Cooper Works version, which is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 184bhp Capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in only 8.3 seconds it's a capable hot hatch. An even more powerful Countryman JCW arrives in 2012. MINIs engineers worked especially hard to ensure the Countryman car feels just as lively, agile and engaging as the standard MINI when it comes to driving on winding roads. The tall suspension and large body do mean that this car can't quite match its baby brother's road holding, but around town, this is a sprightly, easy to drive car that feels secure and stable.

MPG and running costs

Diesels offer the very best in terms of fuel economy, with returns of up to 64.2mpg possible from the 1.6-litre diesel engine. There's also a stop and start feature, which kills the engine when the car is stuck in stationary traffic, helping to save fuel. But the real highlight is MINI's TLC servicing deal, which will give you three services over five years (or 50,000miles, whichever comes sooner) for around £200. No other manufacturer offers such a competitive deal. The TLC pack not only keeps you MINI in tip top condition, but also helps protect its service history, and therefore its used value.

Practicality

It's big on the outside, and plenty spacious inside too. But when it was first launched in 2009, there were those who questioned just how useful a "large" MINI could be. However, the Countryman's focus on versatility means it's more than up to the job of transporting a family. Bot four and five seat interior options are available. Plus a rear bench that slides forwards and backwards to adjust boot space.It's big on the outside, and plenty spacious inside too. But when it was first launched in 2009, there were those who questioned just how useful a "large" MINI could be. However, the Countryman's focus on versatility means it's more than up to the job of transporting a family. Bot four and five seat interior options are available. Plus a rear bench that slides forwards and backwards to adjust boot space.

Safety and reliability

The MINI Countryman scored a full five stars in its 2010 EuroNCAP safety test. However, adult protection was rated at just 84 percent, which is relatively low for the class. The Nissan Juke, for example, scored 87 percent. Reliability is generally reckoned to be good. The car is built in Austria, at a specialist factory that focuses on SUVs and 4x4s meaning build quality is first rate.

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