Auto Review Hierarchical extension

TEST DRIVE

Hierarchical extension

THE COUNTRYMAN IS FOR MINI FANS WHO HAVE HAD ENOUGH LIVING WITH THE FOIBLES OF THE REGULAR HATCH

• Published: 21/02/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: Life

Like all other Minis on sale in the Thai market, the latest Countryman doesn't invite comparision, it seems. That's why the high prices of BMW's fashionable brand have hardly been a deterrent for Mini fans.

Today, BMW has further bared open its ambitious pricing strategy for Mini in the country. The Countryman Cooper S, which comes with a 184hp 1.6-litre petrol-turbo, is priced at a hefty 3.25 million baht.
If you look at another import from BMW, the X1 is just 140,000 baht dearer, yet it has a bigger package than the Countryman and an equally compelling performance via a 177hp 2.0-litre diesel-turbo.
Things might get even worse for Mini's first SUV when the X1 will be available in locally assembled form with a 150hp 2.0-litre petrol engine rumoured to cost around two million baht. Even the regular Cooper _ with a 122hp 1.6-litre non-turbo engine and 2.79 million baht price tag _ is put to shame.

Having said that, the Countryman is about nothing other than emotion. In fact, this has always been the case for Mini _ and it will remain so for ever.
So, what's the best way to describe the Countryman for Mini loyalists? In one line, the Countryman is for those who need practicality for a small family, some go-anywhere driving ability and a little comfort _ aspects you won't find in the Hatch or Clubman models.
But the Countryman's is not exactly all roses when you regard those aforementioned attributes, which it aims to put ahead of the slightly cheaper three-door Minis.

Far left: fascia is typical M —that flawed t but grea the eyes Left: Th individu chairs a cool.

Sure, the Countryman is the biggest and most practical Mini ever made. Just be sure you know that the amount of occupant and cargo space is basically that of a B-segment car like the Honda Jazz.
And since we're talking about a funky car here, Mini has opted for only two individual, sliding chairs in the rear with a centre rail between them, effectively making the Countryman tested here a 2+2.
And if you wish to fold the rear seats down for more luggage space, beware the "craters" that arise as a result.

Although not a direct rival in the brand marketing game, the Nissan Juke is comfier.

A bench for three can also be specified at no extra cost which would give proper hatchback versatility, but that naturally takes away from the fun of the Countryman.
In the end, it's up to buyers to decide, but we'd stick to the 2+2 layout because it's a Mini after all (sanity comes second).
Elsewhere around the cabin, the Countryman is very much the brand's standard fare. The circular dials and central toggle switches are visually cool but yield flawed ergonomics, while some cheap plastics have made their way into the Countryman.
As the Countryman is more an SUV than a hatchback, it has some ground clearance to tackle unpaved roads with small articulations. There's a 4x4 system in this so-called ALL4 Countryman that can spread torque to the rear axle when necessary.
But you should treat this more as a useful feature for all-weather traction rather than jungle-trekking capability. The sporty on-road tyres already tell you that Mini knows you won't be going off-road in the Countryman.
And even though the Countryman's higher-riding body allows Mini engineers to give a plusher suspension setting, the ride is not totally soothing.
Yes, that choppy ride found in the Hatch and Clubman has gone, but vibrations and tyre harshness in the Countryman are still pronounced over road imperfections and concrete roads. Although not a direct rival in the game of brand marketing, the Nissan Juke is comfier.
Due to the more grown-up attitude of the Countryman, it isn't that sharp to steer as in the Hatch. Even so, the Countryman is still fun to drive, easy to handle and maintains that steering directness Mini customers have become accustomed to. In fact, the handling/ride balance of the Countryman is the best of all Minis.

Below: The boot is just about big enough.... but not fully useful when the seats are folded down.

Other than that, the Countryman behaves very much like the Hatch, only that it feels heavier on the move. The turbo 1.6 unit has plenty of zing for drivers ranging from restrained to enthusiastic. One thing different in the Countryman is the engine's more muted sound.
There's no shortage of power and probably more of it at most times. The Sport mode helps out for an even more engaging driving experience.
And with the availability of all-wheel-drive, excessive power is well-contained when going through corners and accelerating hard from low speeds.
Just don't expect the Countryman to be that economical in fuel. With a bigger body and 4x4 hardware, the Countryman naturally won't be as frugal as the Hatch, which explains the 10kpl average we achieved on a drive from Bangkok to Khao Yai.
True, there's the cheaper Cooper with front-wheel-drive, but it naturally won't be as fast and fun as the Cooper S.
It would really be nice for the Mini people in Thailand to consider diesel power for the Countryman which is as grunty as the Cooper S but more frugal.
You could easily conclude that the Countryman is for Mini fans needing more mature driving manners and cruising comfort or, in other words, for those who have had enough living with the foibles of the regular Hatch or Clubman.
The Countryman can be said to be merely an extension of the Mini brand to allow current owners to upgrade their preferences. It shouldn't really be an attraction to those who have never come to terms with the brand's high pricing policy.

 auto shipping reviews