Almost New Buying Guide: Mini Countryman Car News

Despite its name, the Mini has gotten bigger with each generation. The same goes with this latest iteration of the SUV variant, the Countryman, which launched in 2017 and is still booming. Run a tape measure around and you will find that it is 200mm longer than its predecessor. It is also more spacious at the rear and has a larger trunk of 450 liters. In accordance with its SUV classification, it is taller and taller than the Mini hatchback. In short (if it’s not a contradiction), it’s a real Tardis.

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Depending on your perspective, it’s also ugly, although others will no doubt call it character. In fact, character is one thing this greatest Countryman doesn’t lack. A lot of it stems from the way the car feels on the road, which is grippy and nimble. The payoff is a firm, fairly noisy ride, so you want to avoid the bigger wheels with run-flat tires. The optional adaptive suspension on some used cars makes it easier, but not enough.

There is no base One trim for the Countryman; instead, it launches straight into the familiar Cooper trim (134 hp 1.5 liter petrol or 148 hp 2.0 liter diesel), followed by the zippier Cooper S (189 hp 2.0 liter petrol or 187 hp 2 , 0 liter diesel) and John Cooper Works (228 hp 2.0 liter petrol). In between there are four-wheel-drive All4 variants of all except the JCW. The Cooper SE All4 plug-in hybrid is also four-wheel drive.

Transmissions include a slightly toothed six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic (the PHEV gets a six-speed automatic). The availability of manual and automatic transmissions is split almost at 50:50, so you should have little trouble finding your favorite in the trim and color of your choice.

All 4 models are still the same road-oriented cars as the front-wheel drive versions. They are twice as numerous on the second-hand market and a little more expensive. For example, a 2018 Cooper with 30,000 miles costs £ 14,900, but its All4 equivalent is £ 1,000 more. It is also less economical. When it comes to economy, diesel is the way to go if you’re a high mileage driver, but since the Countryman isn’t the most comfortable car, you might prefer to keep things local. In that case, go for Cooper gasoline.

Much of the Countryman’s character springs from its interior, which borrows heavily from the hatch. So there are a lot of toggles and dials and chrome flashes. It all looks very different from the competition.

Fortunately, it’s handy too. The rear seats are divided 40/20/40 and the trunk has a false floor to provide additional storage.

Comparing used Minis has always been difficult because they come with so many options and suitable packs. In October 2018, Mini kept things simple by switching to three main versions called Classic, Sport and Exclusive. The options still remained, but Chili, one of the most popular packs, was on the rise. Be warned: most don’t add value.