The largest model in MINI’s range, the Countryman, has been given a mid-life facelift with sleek new design features, equipment upgrades, improved engines and new options for personalisation. It follows on from the other models in the MINI range – namely the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman – in receiving new Union-flag taillights as a distinctive design element.
The new model’s on sale now, and costs from £23,500 – well in line with stylish SUV rivals such as the Audi Q2 and DS 3 Crossback.
Updated exterior design
Still unmistakeable as a MINI, with big characterful headlamps and plenty of retro additions, but the Countryman’s now a lot sleeker. This latest model features LED headlights as standard across the range and has nixed the black plastic cladding of its predecessor – removing any pretentions it had to be a rough and tumble SUV (though four-wheel drive is still available).
There’s a redesigned radiator grille with three chrome bars for Cooper and Cooper D variants – hot Cooper S models get a hexagonal mesh insert.
Round the back, the obvious big-ticket items are the new taillights. They’re unmistakeably modelled on the Union Jack and bring the Countryman in line with its similarly patriotic sister models. There’s also a redesigned rear bumper.
Two new paint finishes – White Silver and Sage Green, plus the option to replace exterior chrome with piano black trim finishes – open up even more personalisation. Also available are a huge variety of alloy wheel designs.
High-tech interior with new digital dials
New seat upholstery options join the new exterior colours for even more personalisation, as do various new interior trim pieces. There’s now Chester Indigo Blue and Chester Malt Brown leather options as well as British Oak trim pieces.
MINI’s also added the same 5-inch digital dash display as you find in the MINI Electric, finally giving this car a rival to Audi’s ‘Virtual Cockpit’ fitted in the Q2. It’s mated to new infotainment systems, both of which are operated through an eight-inch touchscreen in the centre console. Apple CarPlay comes with the optional Navigation pack.
Four engine choices including plug-in hybrid model
Like its closely-related Clubman sibling, the Countryman gets a simplified engine range with three conventional units and one plug-in hybrid. The range kicks off with the Cooper, which uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine developing 136hp. It emits from 129g/km of CO2 and can return up to 50.4mpg.
There’s also a Cooper D diesel, with 150hp on tap from its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder powerplant. It emits from 110g/km of CO2 and can return up to 67.2mpg.
Buyers wanting a bit more pep can step up to the 178hp Cooper S petrol, which emits from 144g/km and can return up to 49.5mpg.
The range-topper is the Plug-in Hybrid model, which has 220hp on tap courtesy of a 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor. MINI says it can do up to 37 miles on electric power alone, and combined fuel economy is as high as 166mpg – though obviously that depends on the type of journey undertaken.
Gearbox options include six-speed manuals or seven or eight-speed automatics depending on variant, and four-wheel drive is available across the range.
When can I buy one?
The facelifted MINI Countryman is on sale now. Prices kick off at £23,500 for a Cooper model. The range will likely grow to include a John Cooper Works model in the future, and as always, personalisation means you’re unlikely to see two identical models on the roads any time soon.
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