Mini Countryman

Based on the same chassis as the BMW X1 and the Active Tourer, the new Mini Countryman is 20 cm longer. But this does not mean that the Countryman has abandoned its stylistic identity, with the front and rear remaining faithful to the original model while adding a little virile touch that suits it perfectly! While the increase in length mostly benefits the rear seats and cargo volume, it now includes very welcome rear seat modularity. Overall, the new Mini Countryman has improved in every aspect, including ergonomics and the quality of the passenger area, to become a compact SUV for family use that is both uniform and convincing. The only downside is the price, which, just like its size, continues to increase. But that’s the premium look and feel for you!

The car body sticks to the Mini ‘tradition’ but with a longer wheelbase

When the Mini Countryman was introduced in 2010, it was the first of its kind to have 5 doors and 4-wheel drive. With more than 540,000 units sold around the world, it has renewed itself and become a “maxi Mini”. In fact, having joined the realm of BMW, the new Countryman has inherited the same chassis as the X1 and the Active Tourer, growing by nearly 20 cm in length to reach 4.29m. It has moved away from the urban SUV category toward a compact SUV and is now positioned between the Audi Q2 and Q3!

With a much longer car body, the Countryman can reclaim its title as the longest Mini in history, a title it had ceded to the Mini Clubman 2 for many years. Although it has a longer profile with larger wings, the front and rear remain faithful to the earlier model. All this gives it energised appeal, with a boost in personality.

Positioning on the premium category

While the Mini Countryman is longer, the car’s driving position and ergonomics have also improved remarkably. The finish and quality of the materials used are far better than those used for the first version.

It has acquired modularity that it did not have before, thanks to:

• sliding rear seats providing more legroom and equipped with seat backs that can be adjusted to several positions;
• cargo volume, which has increased from 350 litres to 450 litres;
• A 40/20/40 three-seater rear bench that can increase the cargo volume to 1,390 litres with the seats folded;
• practical options, such as the fold-out picnic bench built into the boot.

Its meticulous workmanship and excellent road handling – especially since the car is equipped with an All4 traction control system – combined with the impressive number of catalogue options justify the new Mini Countryman’s position in the premium segment on par with its rivals (the Mercedes GLA, the Audi Q2, etc…)

A Mini for the entire family

The Countryman offers greater capacity, particularly in the rear seats, with more legroom, and in the boot, with more cargo space. This new version truly offers the family comfort expected by parents with young children in tow.

However, while the new proportions have nothing Mini about them left, the Countryman succeeds in preserving the Mini’s dynamic road handling and its range of customisation options. One other thing that is no longer Mini is the price, although this is justified by the upgrade in category and quality to premium.

Overall more comfortable with excellent modularity, this new version represents an improvement in every aspect. It is now offered as a new, highly sophisticated, small family car.