Bigger than ever before, but possessed of a more grown-up design, the new Mini Countryman is nonetheless an entertaining and non-conformist presence in the premium compact crossover field.
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Mini Countryman S ALL4 Fast Facts
- Price: R795 074.00
- Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol
- Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch
- Power: 160 kW @ 5 000 r/min
- Torque: 360 N.m @ 1 500 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 7.4 seconds
- Top speed: 228 km/h
- Fuel consumption: 7.8 L/100 km
- CO2 emissions: 155 g/km
As worldwide trends dictate, downsizing and carbon neutrality is the name of the game. Mini, which once had a seven-strong model line-up that included the regular three-door Cooper, a convertible version thereof, a lowered-roofline model in the form of the coupé/roadster siblings, the Clubman station wagon, the Paceman crossover SUV coupé, and the Countryman crossover SUV, has also had to cater to global demands.
While each of those models embodied what makes the Mini marque stand out as a left-field choice at a time when boutique models were still being scooped up by the motoring masses, the financial strain of developing new body styles versus what was actually being sold meant that the BMW subsidiary was forced to phase out its more radical designs in favour of what actually moves off showroom floors.
Considering these trends, the first of the new generation Minis to arrive in South Africa is the Countryman, which has been a staple in the lineup since its local introduction in 2011. Mini’s simplification programme starts with the name. It will now simply be called Countryman, instead of Cooper Countryman, breaking a naming convention that goes back 16 years. The reasoning is that the buying public associates the Cooper name with the three-door hatchback.
Related: Mini Debuts Cooper in 5 Door Flavour for Added Urban Practicality
At the time of writing, just the Countryman C (powered by the same BMW Group 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol in the X1 and X2) and Countryman S were available at the local launch. The 228 kW John Cooper Works model will have joined the range by August, and in the following months the all-electric Countryman SE will also arrive.
Design-wise, enthusiasts will still be able to easily identify the U25-generation Countryman as a Mini, but for those who must look a little harder, it is a little larger than before: 130 mm longer and 80 mm taller exactly. More obvious is that the Mini design team has adopted a minimalist approach to the new model. Instead of being rounded, the Countryman’s headlamps are now angular, and the grille now integrates part of the front bumper. Black plastic cladding camouflages the three lower vents, the middle of which is markedly larger than before.
Along its profile, the badging has been moved from the front fenders and doors to the C Pillar, and the contrasting faux-alloy trim on the side skits matches similar items on the front and rear apron. There’s a choice of alloy wheel designs, but more importantly these are all milled from recycled aluminium. The model we drove on the local launch was fitted with the smallest wheels available in the range; six spoke rims covered with 225/55 Hankook tyres. Buyers can also opt for larger 19-inchers in a different style (with 245/45 Pirelli P Zero boots) and if the JCW trim option is ticked then the wheel choice moves up to unique 20-inch items with Michelin 245/40 R20 rubber.
At the rear, the taillamps, rear fog lamps and shark fin aerial are sleeker than before and contribute to a more sophisticated look, but some will miss the sense of occasion created by the dual tailpipes that previously featured on S -model Minis.
Related: 2024 Mini Countryman – Pricing and Specs
Inside, the instruments have all been moved to the central display (there’s a pop-up HUD that relays some vitals to the driver however), which now incorporates the climate control functions. The distinctive bank of toggle switches that used to sit below the climate control panel have been moved higher and now make room for a wireless phone charging pad and larger storage recess.
Upper sections of the door cars and the dashboard are covered in recycled plastic, which feels like a premium fabric to the touch, and the colour changes from the rear of the cabin to the front. The faux-leather seats also contribute to the change in contrast as they are finished in the same hue as the first colour as the rear of the cabin.
The biggest news is that the new Countryman sports the largest round OLED screen in the automotive industry, with a 240 mm diameter. Flipping the drive experience toggle changes the mood, colour and font on the display, with the go-kart mode in black and red, an eco mode in shades of green, and timeless mode in classic cream tan with black lettering. The driving light patterns, front and rear, also change according to the selected drive mode. As usual, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but they also add yet another look to the display.
The model we drove was fitted with the smallest wheels possible, and those chunky sidewalls flattered the Mini’s UKL2 platform, and all the regular charms we’ve been accustomed to with Mini’s reputation for dynamic prowess are present. It handles well, turns in attentively and eats up large distances while remaining poised, though it no longer has such a significant edge on its competition in this regard.
What is missing from the overall package, especially because this an S model, is the fitment of shift paddles, as the drive selector is one of the paddles on the upper facia now. The different driving modes are a hoot, however, and despite my enthusiastic driving manner, the Mini’s fuel consumption hovered around the 8.0 L/100 km mark. The biggest differences are between ‘eco’, which subdues the augmented engine noise filtered through the speakers and softens the throttle response, and ‘go-kart’ with the obvious raucous tone and sharpened responses to drive input.
Although Mini’s dialled down the extroverted styling cues that made the likes of the Countryman and its brethren stand out from the crowd they were, there is a pleasing maturity in the way the latest product from the brand has been put together. Paired with a little social and environmental responsibility, the Mini Countryman is therefore better than ever.
Find the full feature in the August issue of CAR Magazine.
