Mini Countryman Cooper SD Auto 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The power of this model is impressive, delivering 143 bhp at 4000 rpm with torque figures 225 lb-ft at 1750-2700 rpm. In total, the car manages to reach a top speed 121 mph and acceleration is also fairly fast with the car taking just 9.5 seconds to travel from 0-62 mph.

In terms of driving comfort, the handling of this 4x4 is not as good as expected and there is a fair amount of body roll during corners and bends. The Mini therefore lacks the agility of its other models and this is a real disappointment for buyers. On top of this, the drive can feel fairly bumpy and the steering, whilst responsive, can feel uncomfortably heavy at times. In terms of engine noise, the car is only really quiet at low revs with the noise becoming louder as the speed increases. Wind and road noise can also be a problem at speed.

Appearances are one of the best attributes of Minis and the Countryman One Auto does not disappoint on this front. The overall style and design is in-keeping with the brand and this make it an attractive vehicle.

However, the interior equipment lacks some of the luxuries which many buyers expect and adding them will see costs mount up rather quickly.

Standard equipment includes power steering, central locking, stability control, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, rear parking sensors, alloy wheels, an advanced stereo with CD and MP3 connectivity as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

Air conditioning can be upgraded to climate control for an additional £345 whilst a leather interior, cruise control and a built-in sat nav can be added for £1,250, £210 and £1,345 respectively.

Despite the drawbacks of this car the interior is good. A higher driving position improves visibility for the driver and there is plenty of steering column and seat adjustment to ensure the highest level of comfort is attained. The dashboard is also more attractive than other Mini models although style has clearly been prioritised and these means it can take a while to learn how each of the controls work.

Cabin comfort varies in this model depending on the position of the seats and shoulder room in particular can be cramped. Passengers can either have ample leg room or decent storage capacity within the boot but unfortunately it is not possible to have both. With the seats in place the boot space is just 350 litres – making it fairly small for a 4x4. Folding the seats down expands this to 1,170 litres which is more than sufficient.

In terms of safety, the car comes fitted with driver, passenger and front side airbags all as standard features. On top of this an alarm and immobiliser are fitted as standard to protect the car from theft whilst a three year warranty on unlimited miles is provided to give buyers additional assurances.

Priced at £23,345 this car is far from cheap but still performs well within its class. Its prices almost match those of the Volkswagen Golf range and the carbon emissions and fuel economy of the Mini outperform those of rivals.

Efficiency is more than reasonable in this model, offering the perfect balance of performance and economic value. The car achieves a decent 49.6 mpg on a combined cycle and carbon emissions register lower than some other models at 150 g/km, putting the car into a more reasonably priced tax band (F).

The real benefit of this model is its combination of performance and efficiency. Whilst the purchase price may be a little steep Minis typically boast excellent resale values. For those after the perfect combination or power and efficiency this car is therefore the best option from within this range.