Mini’s modern-day Maxi has genuine driver appeal and SUV-aping credentials – should you snap one up for £7k?
The first modern-era Countryman set out to prove that Mini could break away from its supermini roots and make a practical five-door hatch, but in reality it was short on performance, ergonomically flawed and a little lacking in character.Nevertheless, the BMW Group marque’s crossover became its most popular model and that warranted a successor, which landed in 2017 with a roomier cabin and a grippy, well-balanced drive that put it well among the best in its class – and now you can have one for less than £7000.Adding 200mm to the length of the chassis meant the second-generation Countryman, or ‘F60’ in Mini speak, had SUV-aping credentials, making it more capacious and practical than its predecessor.Adults won’t feel aggrieved in the back (there’s more head room than in a Mk7 Volkswagen Golf), although they will find more comfort if the middle seat isn’t occupied.There’s plenty of luggage space behind them too. In fact, its 450-litre boot could rival that of cars from the class above.Mini aimed to add more refinement and material richness to the interior, and while this was largely successful, we still had some reservations about the fit and finish. But it was an advance over the models beneath it, with improved seat adjustability and softer cushioning to help move it on ergonomically.Talking of which, we would urge you to find a car fitted with the upgraded Navigation Pack. This increased the screen size from 6.5in to 8.8in and allowed for touch and rotary dial control, which makes it a doddle to use on the move.The nav system is great, too, and the screen itself graphically strong and well configured.But while much of the Countryman’s character is reflected by its upmarket cabin, it is on the road where the car’s real personality shines through, mimicking the spirit of its more vivacious hatch sibling.Sure, it doesn’t offer the same level of dynamism as a compact premium hatch from Audi, Mercedes or Volkswagen, but it steers with enough pace and incisiveness to feel agile and willing.It also handles impressively with plenty of balance and grip to make it engaging through corners.This comes at the expense of comfort and isolation, though. The body is prone to fidgeting on uneven B-roads and the fairly noisy ride lacks some cushioning over lumps and bumps. Optional adaptive suspension improves its composure but makes little difference overall. The engine line-up ranged from the entry-level 134bhp 1.5-litre petrol triple to 2.0 litres and four cylinders in the diesel 148bhp Cooper D, 187bhp Cooper SD and 189bhp Cooper S petrol.All versions came with the option of All4 four-wheel drive, barring the sportier 228bhp JCW.You could also have four-wheel drive with the plug-in hybrid Cooper SE All4, but we would steer clear, given its disappointing economy and smaller boot.If you’re a high-mileage driver, the volume-selling Cooper D is the way to go: it is a little lazy at lower revs but has more than enough punch for daily duties, and can do over 40mpg.Urban and sub-urban dwellers will find the 1.5-litre petrol is more than up to the task, with its thrummy three-pot well suited to the Countryman’s character.Look past the car’s iffy ride and you have a practical and extremely likeable five-door that delivers on driver engagement and technology.As long as you keep things simple with a basic pack (Chili or Comfort are best) and smaller alloys, the versatile Countryman might just be all the car you need – and for under £7k, who can grumble with that?
Source: Autocar RSS Feed
