An iconic brand, BMW-owned MINI create some brilliant hatchbacks. The MINI Cooper is a true classic and is a blast to drive. However, most people agree that the MINI hatchback isn't particularly practical. The boots on the traditional hatchbacks are pretty small, and it can be challenging to live with for those with kids. That's not the case with the latest MINI Countryman. Basically a Cooper on steroids, the Countryman offers everything good about the Cooper in a bigger (compact SUV) package.
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The MINI Countryman comes with 5 doors and a spacious boot. It shares the same basic DNA as a MINI Cooper - except that it's a lot bigger. As you'd expect with a BMW engine, the Countryman packs a punch. Even the smaller 1.5-litre engines are plenty powerful. Capturing the fun, punchy driving experience of a MINI Cooper and incorporating it into a genuine SUV is an incredible achievement. To open the boot on a MINI and see a highly useable space is refreshing! Overall, the Countryman manages to maintain the charm of the Cooper.
The MINI Countryman is available in 3 base trims. The cheapest is the Cooper Classic trim, followed by the Cooper Sport, and Cooper Exclusive. Other than this, there's plenty of customisation available, including various metallic paint options and interior choices. You can customise the roof colour to be separate than the body, so your Countryman can look especially unique. MINI isn't a brand that lacks features, so even the entry-level Cooper Classic trim comes with plenty of great functions:
While MINI clearly embraces the latest technology, the brand doesn't go overboard with it. A MINI is all about style. Thankfully, the Countryman looks just as good as the Cooper on the inside. It has that iconic large centre console, which is now digitalised to keep up with the modern world. For those who just want to concentrate on the driving experience, and don't care for too many bells and whistles, the entry-level trim is fine. Don't worry if you want range-topping features though, as the higher trims come with some excellent tech:
Broadly speaking, the Countryman isn't a huge car. However, compared to a traditional MINI Cooper, it looks like a giant. MINI is clear about its branding, and what its vehicles should be capable of - it's vital that the Countryman's size didn't compromise the driving experience. Thankfully it doesn't, and the Countryman is great fun to drive. It doesn't feel bulky when driving in the city or on tight country roads, which many SUVs can struggle with. Some people will be disappointed that the brand hasn't attempted to reinvent the wheel with the Countryman. The design is virtually the same as the hatchback - you'll either love it or hate it. For a MINI lover who needs something easy to live with, you can't go wrong the Countryman. As a premium brand, you'll be able to get a brilliant re-sale value on the Countryman, if you decide to sell it on a few years down the line.