The compact SUV class has more contenders than ever before, and the standard of those contenders has never been higher. That means the Countryman’s job has never been tougher, so does it have both the style and substance to compete?
Auto Trader verdict:
The new Countryman provides all the style and image that previously made Mini’s SUV offering so successful. It also offers more in the way of interior quality and standard EQUIPMENT. However, the harsh ride isn’t ideal in a car designed to ferry families, and neither is the limited practicality.
Need to know:
- New version of Mini’s SUV has grown in every direction
- Better interior quality and more standard kit
- On sale in mid-February, range starting at £22,465
What is it?
A new version of the Countryman, the Mini brand’s take on the super-popular SUV. That means it has a very specific job.
You see, the company believes there are lots of loyal customers who still love the style, image and driving fun their previous Mini purchases have given them, but who, due to expanding families, need more space and practicality than Mini’s other products can provide. The Countryman is designed to fill this gap.
To that end, the latest Countryman is bigger in every direction than before, with a full 20cm being added to the length, and more distance between the axles for improved leg-room, too. More standard kit is also offered, but things that remain from the previous model include the retro-themed styling cues and the huge scope for personalisation.
You see, the company believes there are lots of loyal customers who still love the style, image and driving fun their previous Mini purchases have given them, but who, due to expanding families, need more space and practicality than Mini’s other products can provide. The Countryman is designed to fill this gap.
To that end, the latest Countryman is bigger in every direction than before, with a full 20cm being added to the length, and more distance between the axles for improved leg-room, too. More standard kit is also offered, but things that remain from the previous model include the retro-themed styling cues and the huge scope for personalisation.
Should I get one?
In the form we drove the car, with the Cooper S engine, the All4 four-wheel-drive system, and the optional automatic gearbox, then probably not. It’s exceptionally and needlessly expensive to buy for one thing, and for another, the fuel economy and CO2 emissions brought about by this combination will also make it very expensive to run.
We can see the Countryman being a lot more tempting in its lesser forms, because these will be cheaper on both counts, and hopefully a shade more comfortable as well. Plus, they’ll still have the style and image that have traditionally made the Countryman such as sales success. It’s highly likely, however, these versions will still trail the best family SUVs for practicality and family-friendliness, so before you buy, make sure you value vanity over versatility.
We can see the Countryman being a lot more tempting in its lesser forms, because these will be cheaper on both counts, and hopefully a shade more comfortable as well. Plus, they’ll still have the style and image that have traditionally made the Countryman such as sales success. It’s highly likely, however, these versions will still trail the best family SUVs for practicality and family-friendliness, so before you buy, make sure you value vanity over versatility.
Key facts:
- Model: Mini Countryman Cooper S All4 Auto
- Price: £28,025
- Engine: 2.0-litre diesel, eight-speed automatic
- Power/Torque: 189bhp/207lb ft
- 0-62mph: 7.2secs
- TOP speed: 138mph
- Economy: 44.1mpg
- CO2/BIK tax liability: 146g/km / 26%
- Boot space: 450-1390 litres
0 التعليقات :
Post a Comment