Sure, the Mini Countryman is no longer all that mini, but it's still a stack of fun to drive and undercuts its BMW X1 donor vehicle. Is it worth a closer look?
The 2017 Mini JCW Countryman is pretty much what we've come to expect from the go-fast arm of the BMW-owned British brand – and it's more practical than ever before.
The new Mini Countryman benefits from being based on the excellent BMW X1. Rather than a compromised hatchback, it's now a purpose-built SUV.
The all-new 2017 Mini Countryman is a convincing compact SUV, one with class and charisma. And in top-spec diesel all-wheel-drive form, it's quick and charming, too.
Small SUVs, especially 2WD variants, are something of an anomaly in the makeup of the modern motoring landscape. They rarely offer the same space or practicality as a comparable hatchback, and they almost never deliver driving ability or comfort anything like that of an SUV. Therefore, in objective terms, they don’t seem to do anything especially adeptly – on paper at least...
UPDATE, 13/7/18: Mini's local division has confirmed the plug-in Countryman will be available from Q2 2019, along with supplying some local images. See article for details. BMW Group Australia has confirmed the Mini Countryman S E All4 PHEV (deep breath) is coming to Australia, due to land in the second quarter of next year...
Mini has unveiled the cars it will be taking to the 2018 Dakar Rally, showcasing two very different approaches to desert-destroying performance. Along with the all-wheel drive John Cooper Works Rally, the company will be lining up with the rear-driven John Cooper Works Buggy...
The 2017 Mini JCW Countryman not only brings the highest power outputs for any vehicle in the Mini stable - it also brings the highest asking price. The flagship Mini JCW Countryman model arrives priced at $57,900 plus on-road costs, with the choice of a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic with paddles at no cost...
Doing what we do, CarAdvice writers are often asked by friends and family, and through our contact page: which car is best for me? Most buyers can identify the top three non-negotiable factors that will guide their purchase decision. But… where to from there? In this series, we look at these cases and single out three cars that fit the brief...
If you are like me and were tasked with the job of teaching your kids to drive, you will know that the hardest thing about getting a licence is the reverse park and the hill start. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got a clue about going round corners, correct braking techniques or travelling at speed on a highway in traffic, so long as you nail those tricky slow-speed manoeuvres...
