Mini countryman petrol: Why pay NIS 35,000 more for electric?

Price: From NIS 265,000 (test vehicle NIS 299,000)

Competitors: Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA

Likes: Driver's environment, equipment, power unit, fuel consumption

Dislikes: Comfort, ergonomics

Rating: 8/10

Mini is no longer a small car. In fact, since the Mini brand fell into the arms of BMW, a family of models has emerged with dimensions that have grown and expanded until we received this - the third generation of the Countryman, the largest model Mini has ever produced (for now). How big? Consider that the original Mini from the 1960s is almost completely swallowed by the wheelbase of the new Countryman. And that’s just one example shedding more light on the well-known market trend - the larger, the more leisure. Now the Countryman is also more BMW than ever, based on the X1's platform and components, and is produced alongside it at the same factory in Germany.

The first Countryman from 2010 (not the cute Mini station wagon from the 60s that was the first to bear the name) was the one that introduced Mini into the compact SUV category. It emerged as a stylish alternative to competitors like the Audi Q3, Mercedes GLA, and even BMW itself, initially the X1 and later the X2. The success came quickly as many were excited about the family practicality, and the Countryman became Mini's second best-selling model, after the iconic three-door version.

Now there is a new generation that plants itself even deeper into the heart of the hottest segment of luxury compact SUVs, and in line with current trends, it is offered both in an electric version and a petrol version. While the electric version starts at NIS 299,000, the basic petrol version is a bit more accessible, starting from NIS 265,000, which we tested.

Design: At first glance, it’s clear that this is a Mini model. The headlights may have become square which is less to our taste, but the rest, like the vertical angle of the windshield or the shoulder line, scream ‘Mini’ in every direction.

Passenger Cabin: The brand identity continues inside, with the first thing catching the eye being the round multimedia screen reminiscent of the original model's dashboard, even before Tesla made that placement fashionable. The 24 cm diameter screen seems larger than its actual size of 12.3 inches, it is sharp, quick to respond, and offers eight changing displays including 'Field', Classic, and 'Kart' (Mini's equivalent of Sport mode). Each display transition is accompanied by a fun sound that can be turned off if it becomes tiresome. The various icons are large and clear, and there are Mini shortcuts, though not everything is easy to operate. The steering wheel has relatively few buttons, and this minimalism is less fitting for a car at this price and less convenient.

In front of the driver, there is no dashboard, as the design aims to keep the area clean, but there is an effective head-up display projected onto its own panel, which partially solves the problem of shifting the gaze from the road to the central screen. The driver's environment has enough open and closed storage compartments, though some are more gimmicky than practical.

Across the cabin, including the doors, there is fabric with changing coloring that adds a bit of color and texture to the cabin space and aims to elevate and refresh the atmosphere. According to Mini (and also BMW), this is the new direction - a combination of more fabrics, textures, and different colors in all the passenger compartments of all the new models, with added lighting, including behind the fabrics, providing a different experience at night.

Returning briefly to the dimensions mentioned at the beginning, they have grown in every dimension, compared to the outgoing generation there is an additional 14.5 cm in length, 8 cm in height, and 2 cm both in width and wheelbase. Thanks to these additions, there is ample space in every direction from each seat.

The seats themselves are relatively short, a setup that usually leaves the knees in the air, which is less comfortable over time, but here the Mini DNA comes into play, and the seating position is relatively high, especially in the rear, so the knees are less in the air and the seat comfort is good over time. For the fifth passenger's feet, there is a large drive tunnel that takes up valuable space, but on the other hand, there are air conditioning vents in the rear as well.

The view from the driver’s seat immediately creates the traditional and much-desired connection with the Mini brand. A connection consisting of a high seating position, a hood with a few round, deliberately protruding bulges, a relatively small and upright front bonnet, and a round multimedia screen that, despite its size, is lower than the windshield line and does not obstruct the view outside. Excellent.

Cargo Space: The trunk door starts much higher than the bumper, requiring a high lift for bags, but the space size is reasonable (450 liters), there is an additional compartment under the floor, more compartments at the sides, a 12V socket, and many anchors. The only thing missing is a spare wheel.

Equipment: The test vehicle came in the highest trim level, 'Favorite', and includes a multimedia system with Android and Apple connectivity, a 360-degree camera, a wireless charging pad, an opening panoramic sunroof, electric seat adjustment and heating in the front seats, memory and massage for the driver’s seat, adjustable rear seat (distance and backrest), an electric trunk door, full LED lighting, 19-inch wheels, and more.

Safety: The safety system is much more advanced than the previous model and includes autonomous emergency braking even when reversing, lane-keeping assistance (warning in the outgoing model), adaptive cruise control (now radar-based compared to camera-only in the past), blind-spot warning including on door opening when the area is not clear, and more. The Countryman has not yet been tested in European crash tests, but its platform siblings, the BMW X1 and X2, each received the highest rating.

Engine and Performance: The Countryman is offered worldwide with a choice between two petrol engines, but in Israel, only the weaker version is available at this stage. It is a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine as in the previous generation, but it is new and now produces 156 hp. Additionally, it includes a mild-hybrid system (48V) that raises the output to 170 hp and the torque to 28.5 kg-m - a significant improvement from the 136 hp and 22.4 kg-m of the outgoing generation. The transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch robotic and the drive is front-wheel drive (as before).

With noticeable effort, the engine is not very muscular, but the performance is more than adequate with official figures of 8.3 seconds for acceleration to 100 km/h and a maximum speed of 212 km/h. The start is decisive, the continuation is quick, and outside the city, it gains speed effortlessly and smoothly.

The transmission is smooth and pleasant, allowing for economical and relaxed cruising. Along with the hybrid assistance, a fuel consumption of 12.3 km per liter was achieved in the test route.

Comfort and Handling: The platform and most of the components are shared with those of the BMW X1/X2, but in an effort to stay true to the Mini DNA, the tuning is different. The result is acceptable to good ride comfort with urban speed bumps noticeable, but not disturbingly so; they simply exist - causing the car to be busy. As speed increases, the comfort improves and even becomes good, but at 110 km/h, wind noise appears that slightly disrupts the overall ride quality.

On the other hand, the stiffness and tuning help the Countryman excel in urban maneuvers and navigating winding roads. The quick steering with 2.5 turns lock-to-lock allows for effortless urban maneuvering. Outside the city, the steering proves sharp, and with the right weight, the car changes direction decisively and keeps wheel angles to a minimum. However, with such large dimensions, there is no "kart on wheels" feeling that characterized past Mini models.

Bottom Line: The new Countryman succeeds in bringing something different to the luxury crossover category: catering to an audience that needs a more "family-oriented" vehicle while maintaining the same fashionable and unique identity. The price is not cheap, starting at NIS 265,000, and the fully equipped test vehicle climbed to  NIS 299,000, but in relation to the group, it is still competitive and offers good value.

Technical Details: Mini Countryman Petrol

Engine: Turbo Petrol 1,499 cc

Maximum Power (hp): 170

Maximum Torque (kg-m): 28.5

Transmission, Drive: Dual-clutch, 7-speed, Front-wheel drive

Dimensions:

Length (meters): 4.44

Width (meters): 1.84

Height (meters): 1.66

Wheelbase (meters): 2.69

Cargo Space (liters): 450

Tires: 225/45R19

Curb Weight (kg): 1,620

Performance (Manufacturer):

0-100 km/h (seconds): 8.3

Top Speed (km/h): 212

Fuel Consumption (Manufacturer, km/l): 16.4

Fuel Consumption (Test, km/l): 12.3

Safety:

European Crash Test Rating: Not yet tested

Active Safety: Autonomous emergency braking, Lane-keeping, Sign recognition, Fatigue warning

Warranty:

3 years with no mileage limit