Review: MINI Countryman (2010 – 2016)

MINI Countryman (2010 – 2016): At A Glance

• Insurance Groups are between 8–30
• On average it achieves 75% of the official MPG figure

MINI Countryman (2010 – 2016): What's It Like Inside?

• Boot space is 350 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

Dimensions
Length	4097–4133 mm
Width	1789 mm
Height	1544–1561 mm
Wheelbase	2595 mm
Full specifications

There's plenty of room inside and standard Countryman models come with sliding seat squabs that are split 60/40. The back seats are easy to get in and out of and rear seat passengers have good knee room and leg room as well as exceptional head room - although we would describe it as a four rather than five-seater (even when specified as the latter).

In the front it's the same story. It's worth noting that the Countryman continues the MINI hatchback's provision for masses of seat travel, meaning even those with very long legs will get comfortable.

The Countryman's interior is just as quirky - if not more so - than its smaller hatchback cousin. Much is shared between the two which is good if you like the retro design. The overall quality feels decent but not overly premium given the price tag.

Still you can't accuse the Countryman of being boring inside. The dashboard still has its signature oversized centrally-mounted speedometer, but for those buying models higher up the range, there's a new high-definition colour screen in the centre. The same chrome toggle switches line the centre console and the roof panel, but new window switches in the doors make that arrangement a little less confusing.

The heating a ventilation controls remain the same - great if you're going for climate control, not so good if you've chosen the standard set-up with its poor direction control wheel. And for a lifestyle vehicle, there's a disappointing lack of storage cubbies. Four seats, rather than five, are optional, but choosing the former brings the benefit of an extended centre rail system that carries accessories.

You don’t have to glance across to the dinner plate-sized central speedometer because your road speed is also displayed digitally in the centre of the line-of sight rev counter. The steering wheel is fully adjustable in all directions and because the rev counter and speedometer move with the wheel you never obscure them.

The boot capacity is okay at 350 litres with the seats upright and 450 litres with the rears slid forwards. The split rear bench does not fold flat though and the loading lip is high. Bear that in mind, if you have an active lifestyle.

Standard equipment from launch:

* Roof rails that facilitate various attachments like roof boxes or roof racks
* Thatcham Category 1 alarm system,
* Air conditioning,
* Heated door mirrors and washer jets,
* Rear park distance control
* MINI Central Rail system.
* Multi-function rear seats - the five seat fitment being standard in the UK, although the four seat option will be at no cost.
* Dynamic Stability Control
* Electric power steering with Servotronic speed-related assistance
* Six airbags
* ISOFIX child safety seat mountings
* Tyre puncture warning system
* Standard Central Bass Hi Fi system with six speakers
* DAB digital radio with Radio Boost.
* Bluetooth telephone preparation
* USB connection.
* Passenger Airbag deactivation
* Preparation for a bicycle rack

What's the MINI Countryman (2010 – 2016) like to drive?

• Engines range from One D to Cooper SD Automatic
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 23–55 mpg

Unless you choose to buy your MINI Countryman with large alloy wheels, the ride is smooth and comfortable on uneven roads thanks to supple suspension and the raised ride height. Plus, the high driving position means general visibility is good.

The car is based on an extended version of the Clubman and that means that MINI has been able to give the much larger Countryman some of the standard hatch's dynamic pizazz. The steering is light, communicative and very direct. That means the driver can confidently place the Countryman in bends and really feel what's going on. Sadly, although it has the smaller car's tidy steering, it does not have its overall body control. 

In bends, there's a disappointing amount of body roll, while the grip levels, even in the ALL4 version are lower than you might expect. It's all to do with the 10cm of additional height, which raises the centre of gravity and makes it all feel a little ponderous in bends. But wind it back and it's still a good car to drive, especially in town.

Performance is okay, rather than exceptional. The best way to a fast Countryman is to go for the Cooper S or John Cooper Works, which with 185PS and 215PS respectively are brisk. Both are quick in a straight line, but suffer slightly from the Countryman-typical lack of enjoyment factor in the bends. We'd say that's probably more down to the excellence of the smaller car that it's trying to emulate.

The 2.0-litre Cooper SD version boasts 140PS, but it's not quite enough to justify the 'S' moniker. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 9.3 seconds and while it's smooth and refined with good mid-range pull, it doesn't feel like a sporting model. If you want a diesel, the 1.6-litre Cooper D, with 110PS is a far better all-rounder - it's not much slower, far more economical and is also even more refined.

The ALL4 system works well and is a good bet if you're someone who lives in the country, or likely to find yourself in areas of low grip on a regular basis. It variably splits the power to all four wheels, somewhere between 50/50 front/rear to 100 per cent at the rear - all dependent on the conditions. It's worth bearing in mind that ALL4 is standard on JCW models, but is optional on the Cooper S, Cooper SD, and Cooper D Countryman.

The jacked-up suspension and optional ALL4 four-wheel-drive system means it's possible to take the Countryman off-road but it's not as good as the Mazda CX-5 in this area.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO2
Cooper	39–48 mpg	10.4–11.6 s	137–168 g/km
Cooper ALL4	41–42 mpg	11.5 s	160–161 g/km
Cooper ALL4 Automatic	39–40 mpg	11.7 s	164–169 g/km
Cooper Automatic	40–41 mpg	11.6 s	159–164 g/km
Cooper D	64–67 mpg	10.9 s	115–116 g/km
Cooper D ALL4	58–60 mpg	11.6 s	123–129 g/km
Cooper D ALL4 Automatic	46–48 mpg	11.9 s	153–160 g/km
Cooper D Automatic	49–50 mpg	11.3 s	149–153 g/km
Cooper S	40–47 mpg	7.5–7.9 s	139–166 g/km
Cooper S ALL4	37–44 mpg	7.7–8.3 s	148–180 g/km
Cooper S ALL4 Automatic	39–40 mpg	8.1 s	165 g/km
Cooper S Automatic	40–42 mpg	7.8 s	166 g/km
Cooper SD	60–63 mpg	9.2 s	122–124 g/km
Cooper SD ALL4	57–59 mpg	9.3 s	126–131 g/km
Cooper SD ALL4 Automatic	46–48 mpg	9.4 s	150–160 g/km
Cooper SD Automatic	50 mpg	9.4 s	150 g/km
John Cooper Works ALL4	39 mpg	6.9 s	169 g/km
John Cooper Works ALL4 Automatic	37 mpg	6.9 s	179 g/km
One	39–50 mpg	11.9–13.9 s	134–168 g/km
One Automatic	41 mpg	13.9 s	168 g/km
One D	64 mpg	12.9 s	115 g/km

Real MPG average for a MINI Countryman (2010 – 2016)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the MINI Countryman (2010 – 2016)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.