Mini Countryman Cooper D 2017 Overview

My grandmother was a formidable lady, a disheveled five-foot-tall little girl with an iron will.

She had the first Mini I've ever seen, hardly remarkable, except that a small car in the middle of the African bush is out of place.

This was beautiful. A strange mixture of yellow and mustard, with a leather sunroof that captured the imagination of this six-year-old girl.

How she took over Esme is an interesting story based on stubbornness, stupidity and insanity.

Until now, my grandmother has always been a Blue Oval fan, much to the dismay of my grandfather, who was a Toyota fan to his toes.

Wanting to give my grandma a new farm machine, and not turning down a good deal, my grandpa bought another stout Toyota bakkie (ute) and gave it as a Cortina to a local Zulu farm school teacher.

Thanks to the diesel grunt and torque, the Countryman rarely gets out of breath. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

My grandmother was furious at not being consulted and drove off in the aforementioned bakky, promising to leave it on the edge of a nearby national park where the elephants could use it.

When she returned at the end of the day, she was bucky-free and happily ensconced in the little Mini, waving at us through the open window, proud as punch.

I don't know how she acquired it, but the look she gave my grandfather when he opened his mouth to ask was enough to stop any argument.

Of course, this was completely impractical. And it didn't matter in the slightest.

Mini has trimmed the Countryman lineup offered here in Australia with two petrol and two diesel models. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

She drove Esme along country roads and dirt roads, beyond my comprehension, a cloud of dust always heralding her arrival, often sticking her head out through the sunroof to chat with her neighbors.

When she finally got tired of it years later, it went to the local schoolteacher too, probably drawing more smiles than Cortina.

It's that sense of freedom, the frenzy that Mini represents to me, and I couldn't wait to be back when we put the Mini Countryman Cooper D to the family test.

Mini Countryman 2017: Cooper D
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.0 L turbo
fuel type	Diesel
Fuel efficiency	4.8l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$27,500

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

From the bottom of "our" car's 18-inch alloy wheels to the very top of the tall roof rails, this Mini Countryman can't help but exude fun. A new hexagonal grille, LED headlights and quirky taillights characterize this latest version's exterior changes, while increased ground clearance and a wider seating position add to the overall appeal.

This Mini Countryman oozes fun from the bottom of its 18-inch alloy wheels to the top of its tall roof rails. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

This atmosphere extends to the interior, where circle-oriented design elements continue to pay homage to this fireworks past. This is especially noticeable in the multimedia unit and instruments, at the base of the shifter and door handles, although the air vents are now more rectangular in shape.

Opinions may be divided on the Countryman's cab-like buttons and dials, but I've always loved the sense of occasion they bring, while you can also add your own touch with customizable colors, patterns, and finishes.

The speedometer and gas gauge move with the steering column, eliminating those situations where you have to peer into space. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

The increased ground clearance improves all-round visibility and makes it easier to find a comfortable driving position. This, of course, is helped by the fact that the speedometer and gas gauge move with the steering column, eliminating those situations where you need to look into the space between the steering wheel spokes to read the gauges.

The front seats could have been made with a little more support for a snug fit during spirited driving, and while I don't mind that they aren't electrically adjustable, it annoys me that some of the adjustment levers and dials are poorly placed.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

With a platform borrowed from the BMW X1, the new Mini Countryman is longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, and while it may not be visible from the outside, it's hard not to notice from the back seat.

The front seats could use a little more support for a snug fit during spirited driving. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

The doorways are wider, making it easier to get on and off, and the living quarters have been vastly improved, giving passengers, even adults, quite a lot of room to stretch out. Certainly not the proportions of a limousine, but more than enough to add credibility to the manufacturer's claim that the Countryman is now a family-friendly choice.

The rear seat, which is split 40/20/40 for more convenience, can also slide and tilt to accommodate longer legs, and rear vents and large door pockets are also part of the comfort equation. In fact, storage options throughout the cabin are quite reasonable and include two conventional cup holders for those in front, handy door bins and a large stowage space in the center console.

The second row seats also have ISOFIX child restraint anchor points in the two outermost positions. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

The new platform also gave the Countryman a boot that increased by 100 liters (to 450 litres), well suited for a small stroller and the average weekly grocery store at the same time. With run-flat tires, there is no room for extra bulk, but less space under the floor instead of an extra picnic table.

Despite its small size, our Mini Countryman D felt quite roomy and could definitely carry our family in relative comfort.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

While my grandmother may not have had much use for a rearview camera, she preferred to move when she wanted to and leave the worries to those who fussed out of her way, the absence of this feature in previous models, along with sensors, was a painful moment for me. . potential buyers.

The Climate Package includes a power panoramic sunroof, sun protection glass and heated front seats. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

In the updated Countryman Cooper D ($43,900), Mini fixed that shortcoming by bringing these features as standard, along with things like dual-zone climate control, a power tailgate, automatic headlights and wipers, a 6.5-inch color media screen, and digital radio. name, but a handful.

Our Mini Countryman D also had a "climate package" that offers a power panoramic sunroof, sun protection glass, and heated front seats for an additional $2400.

The Countryman D is mated to an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with front-wheel drive. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

But it's the standard security package (see below) that really confirms the value for money.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

Mini has trimmed the Countryman lineup offered here in Australia with two petrol and two diesel models. Under the hood of our Countryman Cooper D is a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that effortlessly develops 110kW of power and 330Nm of torque.

Our Countryman Cooper D is powered by a 2.0 liter turbodiesel engine with 110kW and 330Nm of torque. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

Paired with it is an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with front-wheel drive.

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

When it comes to fuel economy, the real numbers are often at odds with those in glossy brochures. The Mini shows 4.8L/100km as the official total for the Countryman Cooper D, and we're hovering around 6.0L/100km, which is pretty plausible given its propensity for flare-ups.

What is it like to drive? 7/10

A quick jog in the new Countryman and it's clear that the Mini has softened the edges a bit, keeping the suspension tight enough to encourage hard riding but allowing for a bit of backing down to provide more comfort.

An active hood to minimize pedestrian injury in a collision is standard. (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

It still hurries into corners, but there is some body roll adjustment and it feels better on bumps, recovering well even when there are a number of consecutive bumps.

The steering feels direct and the brakes respond quickly, which always inspires confidence.

Considering its size, it's no wonder it's a dream to maneuver, especially in tight urban areas, but the Countryman Cooper D is equally enjoyable when you push it, showing immediate support for even the slightest hint that speed is needed.

Diesel grunt and torque on offer are a willing accomplice, the Countryman rarely panting.

It's not as fast as Luke, but it's fun, with or without kids hanging in the back.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

Families are looking for state-of-the-art safety features, and the Mini really showed off its technology with a top-notch safety package, and the car earned the ultimate five-star ANCAP rating.

The new platform gave the Countryman an additional 100 liters of boot (up to 450 litres). (Image credit: Vanya Naidu)

In addition to traction and stability control, you also get automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors, and active cruise control with stop-and-go semi-autonomous driving. However, there is no blind spot monitoring or cross-traffic alert.

Dual front, side thorax airbags, side head airbags (curtains) and an active hood to minimize pedestrian injury in crashes are standard.

The second row seats also have ISOFIX child restraint anchor points in the two outermost positions.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

The warranty is three years/unlimited mileage, and the Mini's "Service Inclusive Basic" package ($1240) covers most of the cost of the first five years of scheduled maintenance.

Verdict

The Mini Countryman Cooper D is bigger, better equipped and with better drive, definitely a step ahead of its predecessor. It's not Esme, mind you, but almost as much fun.

Could the maxi-size Mini Countryman be your next family wagon? Tell us what you think in the comments below.