2017 MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 Has Arrived; Is Bigger Better?

Do you want the excitement of driving a MINI but need, extra passenger and cargo space? The 2017 MINI Cooper S Countryman takes the best of what its siblings offer in a package that delivers sporty performance and makes it easy to live with. Yes, we think the bigger MINI Countryman is better. Here’s why.

What’s new for 2017?

The 2017 MINI Countryman gets a full redesigned with new styling, upgraded engines, and a revamped and roomier interior. It’s significantly larger than the outgoing model with a wheelbase that’s increased by 2.9 inches, and it’s nearly eight inches longer overall.

Features and options

The 2017 MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 ($31,100) gets the more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, seating for five, panoramic sunroof, automatic headlights, a 8.8-inch infotainment screen, rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. Cooper ALL4 adds all-wheel drive and heated seats. Cooper S also comes with LED headlights and foglamps, sport seats, and 18-inch wheels.

Options on this Cooper S Countryman included the Technology package ($2,250) that included an 8.8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a head-up display, wireless phone charging and an automated parallel parking system. The Chesterfield British Oak Leather added ($1,750), Steptronic Automatic transmission ($1,500) and Island Blue Metallic exterior paint ($500). Total MSRP including destination: $38,450.

Interior highlights

The Countryman cabin is well laid-out, comfortable, and it's bigger than the previous-generation model. The extra length makes it easy for four adults to ride comfortably, but three in the back will be tight. The first thing we noticed was the tall windows and narrow pillars making it easy to see out of the compact Countryman. There’s lots of soft-touch plastic surfaces and materials excel in quality, in a cabin that’s carefully furnished and finished.

The dash is typically MINI featuring a large circular panel in the center that functions as a hub for most operations, though several, like the engine start, are controlled by toggle switches.The 8.8-inch touchscreen displays maps, and the navigation which came standard on this tester.

The MINI cabin is geared towards a youthful audience and comes with overblown instruments, and disco-like lighting effects around the center panel. But the cabin is cleaner than previous models and the panoramic sunroof opens up the interior and gives it an airy feeling. The leather sports seats are comfortable enough, and supportive for spirited driving.

Engine and fuel mileage specs

The MINI Cooper S Countryman is powered by a larger 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine cranking out 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft. of torque. Our tester came mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel mileage estimates are 22/31 city/highway mpg and 26 combined mpg with all-wheel drive.

Driving dynamics

The reason to buy a MINI is it’s superior driving dynamics, and the Cooper S Countryman is a driving enthusiasts dream if you are looking for a small hatch. This vehicle handles like its siblings and is high on the fun-to-drive meter for sure. It features a relatively stiff chassis and a sport-tuned suspension that translates to a superior driving experience. Even though this model has grown in size, it still offers up a satisfying dish of fun for driving enthusiasts.

We pushed the Countryman hard through repeated curves in the tight mountain curves west of Denver, and the small crossover stayed firmly planted without much body lean. The 2.0-liter turbo engine has enough power to have some fun at altitude in the mountains. With the 8-speed automatic, there is some lag when you stand on the gas, but it soon gathers momentum with a rewarding power surge.

The more sophisticated suspension offers up a ride that's relatively smooth on the dirt roads leading to our house, and it has a less choppy ride on the highway. In the city, the Countryman S is a joy to drive as it’s small size made it easy to navigate narrow streets in The Highlands in west Denver and its easy to fit in a small parking space. We wished we had the 6-speed manual gearbox, but the 8-speed automatic is a fun ride too.

We loved the optional head-up display that comes with the Tech package, and offers the ability to keep your eyes on the road instead of constantly looking down at the speedometer. It’s a wonderful thing to have, but the cost may be prohibitive.

Conclusion Go to Page 2.

The redesigned 2017 MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 model gets bigger, and it hasn't hurt the vehicle's driving dynamics. It's still a good choice for those looking for a more dynamic driving experience. MINI is all about having more fun while you go about your daily commute or hauling groceries and this model delivers it. The interior gets larger and the roomy feeling will surprise you when you sit inside. The cabin offers plenty of flexibility and utility for carrying extra cargo when you need it. With the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system, the Countryman becomes an all-weather vehicle and is a must for those living in cold climates.

Is there any downside? There are a multitude of option packages to customize and even personalize your MINI, but an amply optioned Countryman Cooper S gets expensive in a hurry.