2017 Mini Countryman Cooper D Review | A Gentle Temperament And Great With Kids (Or Kids-At-Heart)
The previous Mini Countryman didn’t quite fit the SUV description, lacking the U-for-utility that defines the genre, but now in its second generation Mini has fixed the previous model’s space issue.
Unfortunately for Mini fans that means the new model is bigger, though it’s hardly oversized or cumbersome, and it also benefits from the flexible interior space inherent in the BMW-based front-wheel drive platform it’s built on.
That gives it a handy advantage against premium competitors from Mercedes-Benz and Audi that scrimp on space to deliver style, whilst maintaining that unmistakably Mini-charm that attracts buyers to the brand.
Vehicle Style: Small SUV
Price: $44,500 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 110kW/330Nm 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo diesel | 8sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 4.8 l/100km | Tested: 7.3 l/100km
OVERVIEW
There’s a Countryman for just about everyone, starting with the ‘entry-level’ Cooper and Cooper D twins and moving up through the performance range that includes the Cooper S, Cooper SD, and John Cooper Works.
That entry level tag applied to the Cooper D is a little misleading though, with a strong list of standard features to help the Cooper D justify its premium positioning compared to mainstream competitors from the likes of Mazda or Nissan.