- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
140kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 5.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2017 Mini Countryman Cooper SD quick spin review
What is it?
A four-wheeled paradox. The badge says Mini, but the body is undoubtedly "maxi", as it's the largest car produced by the BMW-owned brand of British heritage. The Countryman is the grown-up, family-friendly Mini, and this is the top-of-the-line Cooper SD version that brings plenty of equipment as well as some sporting intent.
How much does it cost and what do you get?
The 2017 Countryman SD costs $51,500 plus on-road costs, which is $2160 more than before and $5000 more than a petrol Cooper S. You do get a reasonable amount of kit for the cash, including 18-inch wheels, sat nav, a reversing camera, parking sensors, smart keys, leather trim and more. The headlights turn when cornering, the tailgate closes at the press of a button, there's a new safety suite and it even parks itself.
As ever, Mini offers a wide range of options for customisation in aesthetic and practical areas. Setting aside the various colour, trim, wheel and stripe options, we would consider the $2400 Multimedia Pro pack that brings a high-res 8.8-inch touch screen with a touch controller, split-screen function and 20gb music hard drive along with a heads-up display unit and 12-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo.
What's under the bonnet?
This Cooper SD features a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that makes 140kW and 400Nm – enough to do the 0-100km/h dash in a respectable 7.4 seconds.
The motor is no doubt helped by an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission (there is no manual option) and All4 all-wheel-drive system, the latter available only on the Cooper SD. There's a reasonable amount of grunt on offer, and outstanding traction that helps the big Mini rip away from the traffic lights with vigour.
Better still, the SD's official fuel figure is just 5.2L/100km, and that diesel engine offers plenty of range for road trips. Sure, it's not the most sensible option for city driving, but it's good to know that the car has the legs when it's time to leave the urban jungle.
What's it like to drive?
Surprisingly, the Countryman drives like a Mini – despite being significantly larger than previous efforts. No, it's not quite as nimble or agile as the standard Mini hatch, but it all feels familiar to those with experience in the brand's recent efforts. You get quick and accurate steering responses from suspension that's a little tauter than you might expect from an SUV, and a general edge to its responses that you won't find in something like a Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota Rav4.
That said, the suspension is a little sharper than some may like, suggesting the optional multi-mode dynamic suspension ($910) could be a worthy investment.
What's it like inside?
Quite funky, with a modern-meets retro theme that blends aircraft-style toggle switches with customisable ambient lighting and a clever infotainment system. Our test model featured heritage-inspired chestnut-coloured leather with cream piping – something that wouldn't look out of place in a 1960s Mini – along with a heads-up display and touch-sensitive track pad.
There's a decent amount of room to fit big and tall drivers (headroom is particularly generous) and the back seat is more habitable than before thanks to larger dimensions, reworked seats and the addition of rear air vents.
Is it safe?
Much more so than before, as that rear seat now has side airbag coverage, and there is a standard safety suite including autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control and forward collision warning systems – all good stuff to have.
Would I buy it?
I'm in two minds about the Countryman. The purist in me is offended that Mini builds a large all-wheel-drive hatch with no manual transmission option, one that lacks the driver engagement and engineering innovation that made the original Mini a must-have proposition.
Then again, this is a much more practical option for young families – there's significantly more space in the cabin and the boot is 100 litres larger than before.
The original Countryman was a flawed attempt to blend Mini's charming character with a more practical body. The new model is a much better bet – I'd keep it on the shopping list.
What else should I consider?
That's a tough one. Audi's new Q2 crossover is worth a look, and if you're heading in that direction the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1 represent entry-level luxury SUVs... that aren't really that luxurious.
Volkswagen's fully-loaded Tiguan R-Line offers more tech than the Mini, and Subaru's Forester XT is a good alternative for people looking for a car capable of light off-roading.
2017 Mini Countryman Cooper SD pricing and specifications
Price: $51,500 plus dealer and on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 140kW at 4000rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive.
Fuel use: 5.2L/100km