The Countryman is a big Mini, their entry into the emerging small crossover market. Honestly, for this new segment of SUV hot hatches, the Countryman is pretty much the poster child. I would be very disappointed in Mini if they didn’t have a car in this segment because it seems like it is literally tailor-made for them. All of the haters who say it is too big are comparing it to the Cooper, which is stupid because they don’t take part in the same market segment at all.   

If you look at the Countryman in the SUV market you will see that it is the equivalent of the Cooper in the car market. It is a smaller option with a lot of character and practicality. The car I drove was the top of the line Countryman S with all wheel drive equipped and a manual transmission. It was very nicely appointed inside with beautiful leather seats an many bells and whistles. Everything about the Mini oozes of German quality that really does make the likes of Nissan Juke feel pretty cheap. Granted, at about $35k this car was around $10k more than the top of the line Juke I drove a while back, so you are paying for it.

Driving-wise the Countryman S is a proper Mini, in that everything I expected it should do, it did with flying colors. Its turbocharged 1.6L puts out 182hp and has an overboost feature that lasts for around 15sec that gives it a little extra scoot, useful for quick overtaking. It was certainly an energetic and responsive little car with some decent pull to have fun with, but at around 3200lbs it definitely isn’t enough to blow your socks off. The gear lever is big and chunky in your hand with a bit of a long throw, and the clutch is light and manageable. Overall the Mini is comfortable and easy to drive while being quite entertaining when you put your foot down. Despite this though, the Countryman S will still see a bit over 30mpg on the highway with mid 20s in the city, quite impressive numbers for a turbocharged all wheel drive car. So it offers both power and good economy, but be ready to pay for premium fuel though being that this is a European car.

Handling-wise the Coutryman doesn’t disappoint either. It is very planted and driver focused in its controls and its feel. As I said it is still a proper Mini, just for a different market segment. The car is quite nimble and easy to place in traffic. You sit up high in the car so visibility is no problem as all. The car really feels like a BMW product through and through, and for my tastes that is a great thing. Comfortable, sporting, and practical, what else do most people want? All that, combined with the all wheel drive to keep you going through tough conditions and the Countryman becomes a very solid overall car. I would say it is a great buy for someone who wants all of the above, but wants a little more fit, finish, and refinement over something like a Nissan Juke, and something not quite as hardcore as a Subaru WRX, VW Golf R, or Mitsubishi Lancer. It is a much better rounded and mature option I think for most car buyers, and a solid compromise for enthusiasts who may have to share it with a significant other.

So, the Countryman is a proper Mini for a new market. It is a fun and lively car to drive, while being practical and decently economical. You also get that stylish Mini look that has been loved since the 1960s, albeit in a bigger package that offers many advantages over the standard Cooper. For me, the all wheel drive option is a must in any place where there is bad weather, or even just to have because it offers other performance advantages. The Mini Countryman S is a car I would certainly recommend to anyone looking for a well made car that has a bit of everything in moderation, but if you are focused on looking for a more hardcore performance car, or a cheaper car with less amenities, then I suggest you look elsewhere, as the Mini offers a healthy mix of everything but not a huge helping of anything. It is a great car though, perfect for most people with more general tastes.

WoM Score: Mini Countryman S

Primary Function: Practical: 2
Secondary Functions: Luxury(1), Performance(1), MPG(2): 1.5
Visual Appeal: 2
Build Quality: 2
Value for Money: 1

Final Score: 8.5/10

Nick