WASHINGTON — Want a Mini with more space? The Mini Cooper S Countryman All4 is the biggest Mini yet.
Gone is the time where Mini Cooper was just a tiny two-door, city-friendly, fun machine that dared people to use the back seat. Now there are four-door models and a more wagon-like model called the Clubman that we looked at a few years back.
But it’s no secret that if you want to sell many vehicles, you need to have a crossover model, and that’s where the Mini Countryman comes in to play.
This is now the second-generation for the Mini Countryman, and this version is larger than before and more in line with other small crossovers. The large size for the Mini Countryman really pays off for those who want the fun of Mini in a more family-friendly size.
The added space is welcomed for back-seat riders. There is good leg room and headroom now. Adults can ride in the back much easier. I fit three kids in the back, so this is the biggest Mini yet! Cargo space is improved but it’s not the largest in its class.
The new Cooper S Countryman feels more upscale than any Mini I’ve been in before. The starting price of $31,500 isn’t out of line, but the options list can quickly add nearly $10,000 to the bottom line. Much of the money in options goes toward making a top-notch interior. The $1,750-Chesterfield leather in British Oak looks very nice, and the white piping adds a little more pop to the inside.
While Mini is known for going its own way with styling, the inside is a bit more grown up. Both the speedometer and tachometer are now in front of the driver instead of in the center of the car. I found it easier this way.
The large round central display that houses the large 8.8-inch touchscreen remains in the center. Toggle switches and large knobs add visual interest. A big red toggle switch to start the car is a neat touch, too.
This new Mini shares the same platform as the BMW X1, so you can expect a good driving machine. It drives much more like a car than a small crossover, with less lean in the corners than the competition. The ride is better, as well, with less harshness over bumps; but it’s still not as smooth as others.
The Cooper S version, with the larger, more powerful 2.0 turbo four-cylinder engine, moves this small utility vehicle swiftly for most people. You can also have a rare manual transmission, or spend $1,500 more for a very good automatic transmission.
The ride is more hushed this time, and while there is still some road noise on the highway, it’s in check and at a bearable level on all road surfaces.
The fuel economy for the AWD version was 27 mpg, just about what the BMW X1 did over the same distance. Another plus is the maintenance program, where the first three years or 36,000 miles of scheduled service is covered, making the price of the car a bit easier to swallow.
The large Cooper S Countryman still looks like a Mini, just taller and longer. The S version also looks racier with large LED fog lights and the blacked out egg crate grill. LED headlights that turn when you turn the car are a cool touch for this price range.
Larger 18-inch wheels and some S badges around the car say this is no slow poke small crossover. The optional Island Blue looks sharp especially with the black roof and mirrors, which make this Mini look smaller than it is. You can still customize your Mini with a ton of add-ons from flags, stripes and other little touches to set yours apart from others.
The Mini Cooper S Countryman All4 is a mouthful to say. Yet it proves to be a small, fun crossover that still has the vibe that makes Mini special. With more space and an easier-to-live-with ride, the Countryman is now a refined, yet pricey small crossover that fortunately doesn’t take itself too seriously to take the fun out of it.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
