What is it? Certainly the biggest and most capable Mini ever, the all-new, second-generation Countryman crossover debuts with three models — Cooper, Cooper S and, for the first time, Cooper S E, a plug-in hybrid. Even larger than its predecessor — which accounted for 25 per cent of all Mini sales — the 2017 Countryman is built on the same platform as the new BMW X1 and offers an all-turbocharged engine lineup with the go-kart driving dynamics typical of the brand, not to mention the added traction that comes from the latest version of the standard All4 all-wheel drive.
Why does it matter? If it’s a crossover, it’s a hot commodity. But, with the new model moving up a size — from subcompact to compact — it is better equipped to compete in the premium compact niche against the likes of the Audi Q3, Infiniti QX30, Mercedes GLA-Class and its X1 stablemate.
The Mini brand is all about driving fun; the new Countryman adds more practicality. Its cargo capacity is 30 per cent larger than its predecessor’s. And with its sliding, folding rear seats, high roofline and an adjustable trunk floor, there’s more legroom and headroom front and back.
Mini Cooper Countryman S E
The Cooper S E becomes Mini’s first foray into plug-in hybrids. The brand is going to market it as the perfect vehicle for “city dwellers who wish to enjoy the benefits of purely electric mobility when commuting between home and work while also benefiting from unlimited long-distance suitability on the weekend.”
Depending on its price, a younger audience might appreciate the combination of eco-friendliness, plus its fun and funkiness.
When is it coming? The Countryman Cooper and Cooper S go on sale in Canada in March, with the S E Countryman All4 plug-in hybrid following in June. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
Mini Cooper Countryman
Should you buy it? Putting aside the plug-in, the other two models are familiar territory in the powertrain department, at least to anyone familiar with Mini’s product lineup. The Cooper is powered by a 134-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder that’s mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, and the Cooper S paired with a 189-hp, turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual.
The base Cooper might be a bit anemic as a family hauler, but the S could be a fun bet as a four-season vehicle, especially now that the turbo-four’s 207 lb.-ft. of torque matches the output of the outgoing Mini John Cooper Works version.
Interestingly, though, at least until the inevitable JCW edition arrives, the S E hybrid is the hot setup, its three-cylinder gas engine working in tandem with a powerful electric motor to produce a combined peak output of 221 horsepower, with the e-rear axle enabling all-wheel-drive traction.
