Vehicle: 2011 Mini Countryman Cooper S All-4 with Visibility Pkg, Sport Pkg, Lights Pkg, Convenience Pkg, 6-speed Automatic Pkg and Comfort Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$40870
Handling: As this is Mini’s first foray into the ever competitive crossover segment, Mini needs to have a proper AWD system to compete with many of its excellent rivals. That’s very important given Mini’s premium charges over its peers with lesser brand image. Mini’s self-developed All-4 system is different from those of its parent firm, BMW X-Drive, in its operation. Its having a 50/50 split until the system detects an slippage offending wheel, then it will give the offending wheel extra traction to get the Countryman out the danger zone. The result is a system that works surprisingly well. A proper AWD without a good chassis can never make a good car. Mini, as usual, have engineered a wonderfully stiff chassis that is both rigid and sound, which is good enough to wear its Mini emblem on the front. The sports suspension rides surprisingly well given its optional 18″ wheels come with the sports package. The sports suspension has nasty ride on Mini S hatchback but improve with longer-wheelbase Clubman S. Given the longer dimensions and wheelbase of the Countryman S, the ride has to be the best out of the Mini S bunch. While it certainly won’t ride like a luxury car, it surely won’t eaten your heart out on washboard pavements to expansion joints as the original S did. Steering is sharp and responsive, as one expects from Mini brand. The amount of precision and path-tracking are excellent. Its just Mini’s hefty steering traditional doesn’t quite transform well for a crossover. While heavy steering certainly makes sense for a hot hatch or even a baby wagon, it likely won’t make any senses for any crossover. Perhaps Mini wants to market Countryman as a jacked-up hot hatch is another story for Directshift…….!!! With the excellent Dynamic Stability Control which is uninstrusive even in hot hatch form, it works like a willing partner with the All-4 AWD system on handling course. Which, as expected, as a second line of defence after AWD steps in before driver rears its ugly heads. That means Countryman’s understeer is tempted while body rolls are somewhat pronounced for Mini standard, if not unacceptable.
Performance: No matter its a hatchback, Clubman or Countryman, Cooper S only comes with one single powerplant. That’s the Valvetronic 1.6 liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder direcly injected turbocharged engine with 181hp and 177 lb/ft of torque. As expected, Countryman is the heaviest of the bunch with 1385kg to carry around. This little turbo mill is a willing workhorse especially after you have pressed the “sport” button, which not only transform the suspension and steering into sportier characters. It also have an overboost mode which boost to 192 lb/ft of torque. It makes the Countryman feels more willing than one expected given its weight. All have done without having the annoying turbo lag one associates with small forced induction turbocharged engines. The result is a peppy accelerator right from the get going to mid-range while the top-range feels slightly breathless even with variable valve timing. Our tester comes with optional 6-speed Steptronic which is suitable for Countryman’s character as a crossover. While the gear ratios encourage the powerplant always at the sweetspots, paddle shifters can be override by any given time at any gears are an added bonus. This alone shown how properly engineered Mini does with the Cooper S, especially for those who don’t want to be seen in a manual gearbox with clutch pedal.
Brakes: Braking has always been Mini’s forte, Countryman certainly performs as good as one expected. Given its heavy curb weight, Countryman has a commanable stopping distance. The ABS steps in necessarily while pedal always feels crisp and alive, also fade-free after couple of harsh stops.
Interior: Even if Countryman is the first 4-door Mini. Clubman does have 4-doors but those at the back are suicide doors, mind you. One would expect its easy to get in and out of the back. That’s depends on how tall or how fit you are. Because of the smallish back door, getting in and out of the Countryman isn’t exactly as convenience as you expect. As you climb into the back of the Countryman, the legroom is only adequate while headroom is nothing more than that. Good luck if you can sit three passengers at the back comfortably, for a long trip.
At the back of the Countryman, it has a nice washer/wiper to clean out all those dirts from back window. Open the tailgate, the Countryman has decent luggage space with the rear seats fold down. It has a good 1170 liters of cargo space when the rear seats are completely fold down. If there is one problem, however, its the rear glass doesn’t open independently from the tailgate.
On the front, there are more bulky looks of typical Mini interior. Just like its exterior styling, the interior styling is polarizing at best. The use of materials are acceptable if not outstanding, as traditional Mini fashion.
Conclusion: Does the Countryman handle like a proper Mini with hefty weight of an AWD? That’s for the most parts. Considering the price Mini charges for this crossover, there are more sensible choices out there with superior AWD and much better interior quality. However, it won’t detract the fact that there are many who are clamouring for the prestige of the Mini badge but have the need for a practical crossover. Countryman definitely suits their needs. But for those of us, similar price point can easily get into a more sensible choices namely VW Tiguan and Acura RDX.
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Mini Countryman Cooper S
=====================================
Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 2/5
Overall rating: 3/5