The MINI Countryman looks seriously snazzy—and that’s not even in its main selling point. It comes with the usual vast array of MINI personalisation options, and for a small SUV it’s pleasingly roomy. In fact it’s more capacious than MINI’s 3- and 5-door hatchbacks, as well as the Clubman estate. The Countryman also brings a decent selection of petrol and diesel engines, not to mention a plugin hybrid option. With an official electric range of 30 miles and superlative company car tax breaks, it could end up saving you a lot of dosh.
What’s more, the Countryman can hold its own against its small SUV rivals like the Audi Q2 and Volkswagen T-Roc, with which it sits at the upper end of the price range. But if you’re looking for something a little more affordable, you might want to check out the SEAT Arona, Škoda Kamiq or Ford Puma instead.
Equipment, options and extras
Our pick of the MINI Countryman trims comes in first: the entry-level Classic. It has all the parking aids and infotainment you could wish for, along with aircon, cruise control, keyless start, automatic lights and wipers, and 16- or 17in alloy wheels depending on the engine you go for.
If you opt for a higher-level trim then the price of your Countryman will start to resemble those of the larger SUVs, like the SEAT Ateca and Škoda Kamiq. If you’re okay with this, we recommend one of MINI’s option packs. Our favourite is the Activity Pack, which brings picnic tables, sliding rear seats and a powered tailgate—although the Comfort Pack Plus is pretty irresistible, with climate control, heated front seats and power-folding door mirrors.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The MINI Countryman’s starting price is a fair bit higher than those of even the well-equipped Nissan Juke, Ford Puma and Škoda Kamiq—even the Volkswagen T-Roc. That’s for our preferred Cooper engine—but if you want more power, four-wheel–drive or an automatic gearbox, you’re looking at an even heftier price tag. Moreover, this isn’t offset by strong resale values: after three years, the Countryman (including the plugin hybrid) is expected to depreciate faster than many of its non-premium rivals, including the Puma and T-Roc.
Safety and security
Euro NCAP awarded the MINI Countryman a full five stars for safety back in 2017, although granted the tests weren’t as stringent as today. And even then the Countryman didn’t excel in child or adult occupancy crash protection. Its results can’t be compared directly to its more recently tested rivals the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Roc, but they’re probably safer overall.
Every Countryman brings automatic emergency braking and an emergency call function (eCall) as standard. The outer rear seats have Isofix mounting points, and for a premium you can have them added to the front passenger seat as well. Finally, all versions of the Countryman come with an alarm and immobiliser as standard.
Reliability
The MINI Countryman has a 3-year unlimited-mileage warranty. By contrast, Renault and Hyundai offer 5 years as standard, and KIA offers 7.
The Car Planet verdict
The MINI Countryman brings a superb combination of space, style and desirability, with gorgeous interiors complemented by a magnificent infotainment system. However, its numerous rivals are generally both cheaper and better equipped. What’s more, the Ford Puma is more fun to drive, while the Volkswagen T-Roc is quieter and more comfortable. So if your heart is set on the Countryman, our advice is simple: stick with the lower-end versions for best value for money, and consider the plugin hybrid if you’re a company car driver.
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