Mini Countryman Cooper 5dr Car Review - February 2012

There is plenty of grip and the steering does respond quickly to the driver's movement, but the handling doesn't quite match the spry Mini hatchback, and the steering does becoming heavier when cornering. Some will also find that the ride is a little bit too firm for a crossover that is aimed at the family market, and there is also quite a bit of body movement that can be uncomfortable going through the corners. The improved driving position from the higher Countryman does give a good view of the road, and the seat can be adjusted to find the perfect driving position.

Because the Countryman is a larger vehicle, it can't match the smaller Minis in terms of engine performance, but the acceleration from 0-62mph is a reasonable 10.5 seconds. The top speed of 118mph is also more than enough for the use that most drivers will make from this car.

It is inevitable that comparisons between the Countryman and the Mini hatchbacks will be made, and although the grille and the intake are fairly similar, the bonnet and the headlights are both a little larger. The contrast black lining over the wheel arches are a nice touch, and even though it is one of the biggest Minis ever made, it is also undeniably an attractive vehicle that has many of the traditional features. Inside the car the fun is continued, and the large speedometer at the top of the centre console really is an excellent innovation and talking point.

As with many other Minis, the Countryman's nicest luxuries are to be found among the optional extras, but it does still have some good equipment included as standard. Air conditioning and electric windows front and back are all welcome additions, and Bluetooth connectivity is a nice inclusion.

There is no doubt that the Countryman does improve on the practicality of the smaller Minis, and the boot space is certainly large enough to accommodate the luggage in most family trips. One feature that Mini have removed is the middle seat in the back of the car to provide four spacious seats rather than the traditional bench seat in the back.

In terms of safety, the Countryman has been awarded the best possible award of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests, and is also delivered with a good range of airbags included as standard. The typical range of driving aids are all included to ensure that the driver stays firmly in charge and that the Countryman can handle poor driving conditions.

This basic version of the Countryman has a list price of £17,965, which does put it on the same level as many medium sized hatchbacks and at the lower end of the crossover market. Although it isn't the largest or the most practical, the Countryman is still stylish enough to attract many people.

The running costs of the Countryman are significantly higher than those found with the Mini hatchback, and the engine delivers fuel efficiency of an average 47.1mpg. The insurance group for the car is quite low, and with the high resale values this does become an even more attractive package. The car is also supplied with a three year warranty and three years' breakdown cover, which is fairly typical of what is on offer from competitors in the class.