For a long time, MINI existed – and existed well – with only two-door models in their stable. But recently they made a splash with the Countryman, a four-door wagon that has transformed the MINI brand, and added a perfect family option to the model list. The Countryman carries the beloved and well known styling that the MINI line has always had, but expands it into a larger and more rugged form; this transformation works well, as the Countryman looks every bit as stylish as its younger brethren. But what separates the Countryman from the traditional Hardtop, Coupe, Convertible, and Roadster? Here’s everything you need to know about the newest model on MINI’s assembly line.
The Basics
The Countryman comes in four trims, so that buyers can find the absolutely perfect vehicle for them. There’s the base Countryman Cooper model, which comes with 90 kW of power, gets 11.9 city and 14.9 highway km/L, and has a starting price of $22,750 USD. Then, as is so common with MINIs, there’s the Countryman Cooper S, which bumps up to 135 kW, with 11.1 city and 13.6 highway km/L and has a list price of $26,100 USD. Most exciting for winter drivers, however, is the Countryman Cooper S ALL4, which brings all-wheel drive to the S’s 135 kW engine. The ALL4 gets 10.6 city and 13.2 highway km/L, and can be had for $27,850 USD. Finally, for true MINI enthusiasts, there’s a special Countryman John Cooper Works ALL4, which is a rally-inspired wagon, which boasts the same impressive all-wheel drive and mileage numbers as the stock ALL4, but makes 155 kW of power. This exciting edition comes with a price tag of $35,350 USD.
What Sets it Apart
There’s a lot to love about the Countryman, beyond the base numbers and the beautiful styling. With seven airbags, the Countryman is an IIHS Top Safety Pick, so you can feel comfortable carrying around your loved ones in it, or even letting those loved ones drive it (though they may have a hard time getting you out of the driver’s seat!). With four doors and a body that is considerably larger than the other MINI models (though still small enough to handle and brake like a true sports car), there’s room for the whole family. The Countryman is a spacious five seater with ample trunk room, so you can easily fit the family and a week’s worth of luggage into it and head out on vacation.
One of the things that truly sets the Countryman Cooper apart from its little siblings is the ALL4 trim, which brings all weather and all surface practicality to the MINI company. If a MINI is your only car, a Countryman Cooper S ALL4 is perfect, as you can drive it wherever, whenever. Add in the improved space, and you’ve got a MINI that seemed impossible when the company first started rolling out the Hardtops all those years ago.
For the family, or the adventurer, the Countryman is the perfect MINI. It offers all the fun and the styling of the traditional models, but with extra space, extra seats, extra safety, and, in the case of the ALL4, all weather abilities.
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