In-depth reviews

MINI Cooper S Countryman 2014 review - pictures

by: Auto Express team

11 Jun 2015

Go to: MINI Cooper S Countryman 2014 review

The MINI Countryman keeps all the appealing looks of the <span id="itxthook0w" class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap itxtnewhookspan"
The MINI Countryman is available in five trim levels: One, Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper D, plus the punchy John Cooper flagship.
The jacked-up suspension and optional ALL4 four-wheel-drive system means the Countryman can also be taken for some light off-roading.
The ALL4 four-wheel-drive system is available as an option on Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper D models.
The big wheel arches, sweeping styling and big alloy wheels give it quite a rugged look, so there’s no mistaking a Countryman when you see one.
All cars (bar the One D) can also be ordered with a six-speed automatic gearbox in place of the standard six-speed manual.
Our choice is the Cooper D Countryman with 112bhp. In two-wheel-drive form this is the most economical choice, returning 67.3mpg and 111g/km.
While its extra ride height and bulkier dimensions mean it's not quite as fun to drive as the MINI hatch, it's still enjoyable and is particularly good in town.
Black light surrounds are available as an optional extra.
Unless the buyer decides to spec theirs with the large 19-inch alloy wheels, the Mini Countryman remains a comfortable car.
MINI’s ‘TLC’ servicing pack covers the first five years/50,000 miles for around £250 and gives plenty of peace of mind.
All MINI Countryman models are quite well specced, with air-conditioning, MP3 compatibility, digital radio, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors as standard.
The Countryman's interior is very similar to the regular MINI hatch thanks to the familiar oversized central speedo, pod-like rev counter and rocker switches for the lights.
The seats are comfortable, supportive, and make long journeys easy to handle. The high driving position means visibility is great too, making in town driving easy.
The Mini Countryman is available with either four or five seats. Four adults won't have a problem with getting in and out, and the sliding rear bench is pretty practical.
The larger dimensions over the MINI hatch means that with the seats up, the boot has a 350-litre capacity.
When you fold the rear seats in the MINI Countryman, the load capacity increases to 1,170 litres.