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New Mini Countryman review: has it still got that Mini magic charm?
As an ex-Mini racing driver, Vicki Butler-Henderson is the perfect candidate to sample the brand’s latest offering: the all-new Countryman. Does Mini’s biggest-ever model get a thumbs up?
When the first Mini Countryman hit showrooms back in 2010 it was criticised by many for being, well, not very mini… But, as appetites for larger cars and crossovers have grown over the last 14 years, the new model’s dimensions no longer seem like a cause for concern.
That’s a good thing, given the latest third-generation Countryman is the brand’s biggest to date. As the DriverReviews ambassador reports, the new car has gained 6cm in height and 13cm in length compared to its predecessor. And, while that doesn’t sound too dramatic, the designers’ efforts to mask this growth with a redesigned C-pillar, suggest some size-related reticence still lingers.
The larger footprint pays dividends on the inside. Touting a bigger boot than a VW Golf, as well as sliding/folding rear seats and plenty of nifty cubbies — including a slot where the manual gear lever used to live — the new Countryman builds upon its ancestors’ intrinsic practicality. Plus, Mini’s signature retro feel is present and correct thanks to chromed central toggles and a highly configurable 24cm circular infotainment screen.
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It wouldn’t be a true Mini without that legendary go-kart driving experience; happily, Vicki is impressed with the Countryman’s agility on the open road. Obviously, straight-line performance in the 3-cylinder 170-bhp model tested, pales in comparison to the extreme machines Vicki’s used to racing. However, a combination of grippy Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 tyres, revised suspension, and a low centre of gravity, raises a few grins in the corners.
As for the rest of the Countryman range, an all-electric model and a range-topping John Cooper Works petrol variant should cater to both petrolheads and eco enthusiasts, but you’ll need to part with significantly more than the £30,000 base price for either of those.
From in-car gaming to voice-activated jokes, get Vicki’s full verdict on the Countryman’s more unusual quirks and features by hitting the video above.
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