By Sala Masindane

The Mini Countryman has always been a niche vehicle and the updated version has been highly anticipated by the enthusiasts. Well wait no more as it has arrived and looks like it might spell trouble for competition that has never existed before.

What’s new?

The all-new MINI Countryman S All4 which has grown compared to its predecessor by being 130mm longer, 22 mm wider and 80 mm taller. The exterior design has the quirky style that we have become accustomed to. This can be noticed with the new octagonal front grille, MINI LED headlamps and the Union Jack taillights. It has all resulted in the MINI Countryman looking more muscular.

Interior

Inside, the quirkiness continues with the textile dashboard that blends in the door panels with a two-tone colour. There’s a new 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen infotainment that doubles up as digital instrument cluster. The cabin also features a heads-up display that depicts the current speed, cruise control and directions when navigating. Other notable features include a Harman Kardon sound system, a panoramic sunroof and a new steering wheel with a fabric strap on the third spoke. Rear space and legroom are generous for two adults. Boot space comes in at 450-litres and goes all the way up to 1,390-litres with the rear seats folded down.

Drive and performance

Underneath the hood is a 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine delivering 150 kW/280Nm and is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. MINI claims that Countryman S will do the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.1 seconds. The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine allows the Countryman S to accelerate with relative ease. The car also handles well and feels dynamic when attacking bends. Throughout our time with the Countryman S, we experienced a mix of city, highway, and long-distance driving, resulting in an average fuel consumption of 7.8 l/100 km over the course of nearly 1,000 km.

Final word

If you can look past the gimmicks, the MINI Countryman is an impressive family SUV. It might not offer the biggest space, but it more than makes up for it with its looks and great driving experience.
Pricing for the MINI Countryman starts at R758,820.