New 2020 MINI Countryman facelift: prices, spces and pics

MINI has launched an updated version of the Countryman crossover. It features a range of design and technology updates, as well as a tweaked engine line-up – and it’s available to order now, with prices starting from £23,500 for the entry-level Cooper variant.

First deliveries will arrive during August of this year and, when the revised crossover reaches the UK market, it’ll provide fresh competition for existing rivals such as the Nissan Juke, Volkswagen T-Roc and Audi Q2.

Cosmetic tweaks over the pre-facelift model include a new radiator grille, new front and rear bumpers, two new paint finishes, Union Flag-branded tail lights and a choice of fresh alloy wheel designs in diameters as large as 19 inches. 

In addition, buyers now get adaptive LED headlamps with auto-dimming as standard, while MINI’s Piano Black exterior styling package can now be optionally specced in place of the standard car’s exterior brightwork. 

Inside, there’s a new five-inch digital instrument binnacle, which was lifted from the MINI Electric and is standard across the entire model range. There’s also some new Piano Black trim for the dashboard and doors cards, along with two new leather upholstery colours – Indigo Blue and Chester Malt Brown. Like the outgoing model, buyers can also choose from either a 6.5-inch or 8.8-inch central touchscreen infotainment system.

It’s offered with the same basic range of engines as the pre-facelift model – although MINI has implemented a range of efficiency and performance tweaks. Petrol models have a new, higher-pressure direct injection system and a redesigned cylinder head, while the diesels feature an updated AdBlue system, to help the meet the latest Euro 6d emissions standards.

Facelifted MINI Countryman: engines and performance

The standard Countryman range opens with the Cooper, which is priced from £23,500. It’s powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 134bhp and offers a 0–62mph time of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 127mph.

Stepping up a rung, the Cooper S variant is priced from £26,000. It’s powered by a detuned version of the outgoing model’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, which now develops 176bhp instead of 189bhp. The powertrain gives the Countryman a 0–62mph time of 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 140mph.

The updated MINI Countryman Cooper D features the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine as the old model, albeit with now tweaked two-stage turbocharging system. It has the same output as its predecessor – 148bhp and 330Nm of torque – which provides a top speed of 122mph, a 0–62mph time of 9.1 seconds and, most importantly, fuel economy figures of between 64.2 and 67.3mpg. Prices start from £25,500.

For an extra £3,400, buyers can spec every petrol and diesel version of the updated MINI Countryman with an all-wheel-drive system – although this will bring a slight dip in fuel economy compared to the equivalent front-wheel-drive model.

All front-wheel-drive cars come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a seven- speed dual-clutch automatic being offered as an £1,600 option. However, if you opt for an all-wheel-drive Countryman, an eight-speed torque converter automatic is fitted by default.

Facelifted MINI Countryman: plug-in hybrid

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The MINI Cooper Countryman Plug-in Hybrid ALL4 sits towards the top of the crossover’s line-up, with prices starting from £34,700. Its powertrain comprises a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor and a 9.6kWh battery pack – which have a combined output of 217bhp.

The combustion engine sends drive to the front axle via a six-speed automatic gearbox, while the electric motor supplies the rear. The PHEV powertrain also allows the Countryman to cover a claimed 38 miles on electric power alone and return fuel economy figures of up to 166.1mpg.

Boot capacity goes unchanged. Non-hybrid models will swallow 450 litres of luggage with the rear seats in place – although this figure swells to 1,390 litres with the rear bench stowed. The battery pack fitted to the Countryman Plug-in Hybrid takes up 45 litres of space, dropping standard boot capacity to 405 litres.

What do you make of the facelifted MINI Countryman range? Let us know in the comments section below…