2011 Mini Countryman is a new crossover from Mini that’s both sporty and family friendly. Mini Coopers aren’t practical family cars. The Countryman changes this – it’s about one foot longer and six inches wider than the Mini Cooper Hardtop, which makes a big difference once you sit in the Countryman’s cabin. Since it’s a crossover, Mini thought the Countryman should be available with all-wheel drive, a first for the brand. The 2011 Countryman also has the most cargo space in Mini's lineup – a maximum of 41.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The Mini Countryman has a lot more cargo room than the Cooper Hardtop, but it’s easily beat by many affordable small cars like the Honda Fit that are cheaper and roomier.
The 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman occupies a weird place in the market. It’s a crossover, but it’s considerably smaller and less family friendly than crossover SUVs like the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4.The Countryman seats four, which is unusual, but it looks like Mini prioritized comfort over maximum seating capacity.
One thing the Juke can match is the Countryman’s performance. Its 1.6-liter engine makes 188 horsepower, seven more than the Cooper S Countryman, and 67 more than the base Countryman.
The Mini Countryman is a new model for 2011. It’s also Mini Cooper’s first crossover, which means it’s larger and rides higher off the ground than the Mini Cooper Hardtop or the Mini Clubman. In addition to being larger in size, Mini Cooper added another first to the Countryman’s features list – an optional all-wheel drive system Mini calls ALL4.
Mini’s signature styling elements—a softly rounded body tub; an upright, blacked-out greenhouse; the angle-cut hood opening—translate very nicely to a crossover, and we are pleased to see that the Clubman’s contrasting rear trim remains exclusive to that model. Rear seats will slide fore and aft —the bench in a 60/40 split —and fold individually (or in 40/20/40 increments with the bench). Between both the front and rear seats runs the center-rail system seen on the Crossover and Beachcomber concepts, to which Mini affixes cup holders, armrests, and other "travel utensils." Those engines will replace the current mills in all 2011 Minis.
Additionally, front-wheel drive will be standard, but Mini’s new all-wheel-drive system, known as ALL4, will debut as an option on the Countryman. Other optional equipment will include a panoramic sunroof, adaptive xenon headlights, wheels ranging from 16 to 19 inches, a sport suspension that lowers the car about 0.4 inch, and the full range of John Cooper Works performance upgrades.
With the rear seats folded there is 41.3 cubic feet of cargo space available.
Mini does offer the Countryman in base Cooper form but the preferred powerplant is undoubtedly the 1.6 liter turbocharged 181 horsepower/177 lb. feet of torque 4-cylinder that returns EPA estimates of 25 city/32 highway with the 6-speed automatic that most people will specify. The Mini Cooper Countryman S starts at $25,950 and as is true with every vehicle from this automaker partaking too deeply from the options list can get expensive. Essentials include the $1,750 Premium Package (automatic climate control, Harmon Kardon sound system, panoramic sunroof) and $1,250 Convenience Package (Bluetooth, USB/iPod integration, Homelink, auto headlamps, auto wipers, keyless entry, push button start, auto-dimming rear view mirror).
The only fly in the ointment for Mini might be the newly introduced 2011 Nissan Juke which offers up most of the Mini’s features and style for a price that maxes out just a little over $20,000. So what is your take on the new 2011 Mini Countryman? Is it a real Mini?
