The new Countryman has become so bloated it feels wrong to call it a MINI. Maybe the model name should also be written in upper case to better match its size.
The new crossover is 13cm longer and 8cm higher than its predecessor, which was already too large to be comfortably associated with a brand that built its heritage on being a tiny upstart. When the original Mini used its kart-like agility to beat larger, more powerful cars to win three Monte Carlo Rallies in the 1960s it was a David vs Goliath performance, but the Countryman has now become a relative Goliath itself with a length of 4.4m and a weight of more than 1.5 tonnes.
But, if you can get over the fact that there’s nothing mini about this MINI, the new Countryman is an impressive car that scales new heights in terms of refinement, driving comfort and technology.
It has arrived in SA in two petrol variants: the entry level Countryman C front-wheel drive, and the all-wheel drive Countryman S All4, both of which I drove at the media launch held in Mpumalanga last week. There are three trim levels: Classic, Favoured and JCW.
In about a month’s time two more models will join the Countryman line-up: the high-performance John Cooper Works (JCW) and the electric SE All4.
The new Countryman retains a stocky, upright shape with a cleaner, “reduced” body design that has fewer embellishments. Along with a redesigned octagonal front grille, the headlights have become more angular and the car adopts Union Jack style rear tail-light clusters. The distinctive LED front and rear lights have animations, and piano black roof rails are standard equipment.
The minimalism extends to the redesigned interior, which does away with most physical buttons in favour of a new, dinner plate-sized OLED touchscreen in the centre of the dash. Most functions are controlled by this giant screen, which also shows information such as speed and engines revs. There is no longer an instrument panel in the driver’s line of sight, although a head-up display is available.
The Countryman has MINI’s newest System 9 operating system with improved third-party integration for apps such as Spotify, and facilitates over-the-air updates. Mini Connected allows owners to subscribe to optional features such as heated seats and steering wheel.
Driving Assistant Plus expands the MINI Countryman with the option of active cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
Countryman C
The entry-level Countryman C front-wheel drive is powered by a three-cylinder 1.5l turbo petrol engine pushing out 115kW and 240Nm. It is front-wheel drive and, like all petrol Countrymans, uses a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The car is no rocket but has respectable claimed performance figures of 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 212km/h. It has easy cruising power and enough poke to scoot past long trucks when overtaking, while the engine is pleasantly refined.
It’s a quiet car with little road or wind noise. It feels very solid, and the ride comfort really stands out. Rolling on 17-inch wheels with pothole-soaking high-profile tyres, the large MINI wafted comfortably even on bumpy roads. It swept through Mpumalanga’s twisty mountain passes neatly, with excellent grip. Because of its large size and elevated 202mm ground clearance it can’t handle with the agility of the smaller MINI Cooper, but it’s nimble enough to be fun.
The Countryman is a family-sized MINI with impressive interior space that comfortably swallows four adults, and a boot that has grown to a roomy 450l expandable to 1460l, though there’s no spare tyre, not even a thin space saver.
The cabin has a premium feel with appealing design touches, two-tone textiles and interesting textures, including recycled plastic. Base models come with cloth seats, while Vescin artificial leather can be ordered. There is no leather used in MINI interiors any more.
Countryman S All4
The Countryman S All4 is a more adventure-focused model with the ability to tackle sand and slippery gravel due to its all-wheel drive, which distributes power between the front and rear wheels as needed under all road and weather conditions.
It is powered by a 2.0l four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 150kW and 320Nm and it is claimed to scoot from 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds and top out at 228km/h.
The car wasn’t as peppy as the numbers suggest and didn’t feel significantly more powerful than the 1.5l model, probably because it weighs nearly 100kg more due to the weight of the all-wheel drive. It also has noticeable turbo lag in a standing start. MINI fans seeking a real adrenaline buzz will need to wait for the JCW, which packs 233kW and 400Nm, and promises 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds.
The car wore 18-inch wheels with slightly lower profile tyres than the Countryman C but still delivered an impressively cushy ride. In terms of comfort and refinement, the new edition of the largest MINI is an impressive package.
In all Countryman models there are eight Experience modes including a Go Kart setting that livens up the throttle response and places a sportier overlay on the OLED display. When you select Go Kart mode, a digital voice shouts “woo hoo”.
Larger and more refined it may be, but this MINI hasn’t lost its sense of fun.
Prices
MINI Countryman C — From R724,819
MINI Countryman S ALL4 — From R795,074
MINI JCW Countryman — From R965,767
MINI Countryman SE ALL4 — From R1,086,000
Prices include two-year/unlimited km warranty and five-year/100,000km maintenance plan
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