2017 Mini Countryman Cooper Review: Weekend Test

I was once a tragic and proud owner of a 2002 Mini Cooper S. It was a lot of fun to ride with the right look. With those fond memories, I considered the second-generation Mini Countryman - nothing short of an SUV. Like a non-Mini.

To see if this perception is true, I spent a weekend with an entry-level Cooper that costs $39,900 and an extra $1,500 Chili LED package (it's worth it). For the money, there's a surprising amount of standard kit, all tastefully packaged in sophisticated Mini style.

This latest Countryman is the biggest car Mini has ever made, and it definitely looks like it. (Image credit: Dan Pugh)

With three kids under 11, my days of driving 2-door hot hatchbacks like the 2002 Cooper S are long gone (or at least until they grow up). The qualities I used to seek, such as "driving pleasure", have now given way to "practicality", while "cute looks" and "perfect proportions" have faded into the background to "good enough looks" and "roomy trunk."

This latest Countryman is the biggest car Mini has ever made, and it definitely looks like it - it looks like all the fun has been sucked out of it, leaving a poised, grown-up version in its place. The kids' first impressions of the car, however, couldn't be more different.

For the money, there's a surprising amount of standard kit, all tastefully packaged in sophisticated Mini style. (Image credit: Dan Pugh)

So, is this Mini Countryman really practical and still puts a smile on your face?

More: Read Andrew Chesterton's launch review here.

Saturday

Saturday morning was stunning and the beach was calling. Upon opening the car, we are greeted by a cool LED lighting system that illuminates the Mini logo on the driver's side. Once the novelty of this wore off, my three kids got together with boards, towels, swimmers and immediately focused on the cool features of the salon.

my three kids piled on with boards, towels, swimmers and immediately focused on the cool features of the salon. (Image credit: Dan Pugh)

My old 2002 Cooper S had more cheap plastic than all the Housewives of Beverly Hills movies, but this new Mini is way more stylish, combining fun with sophisticated design.

All eyes were on the round display with light rings and accent light illuminating the door trim and floor areas - a hallmark for children. (Image credit: Dan Pugh)

Upon entering the car, all eyes were on the round display with light rings and accent light illuminating the door trim and floor areas - a hallmark for children. My favorite from older Minis, the toggle switches feature prominently and the red start button draws attention. If you like tactile materials, this car is for you.

Leaving the beach to head home, I lost one of my kids on a date, but took on two extra passengers. I suspect that all four had painted ears, because no matter how much I begged, they still managed to bring a huge amount of beach sand into the cabin.

It never felt cramped or brought a smile to anyone (all under 11) who rode it.

For taxiing children, the 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine performed well, and for me the car was a surprise. Paired with the six-speed automatic, it felt capable and even more dynamic at times than I could have imagined.

Back at home, I picked up the vacuum cleaner before spending most of the day trying to clean up the sand. It was painful in every nook and cranny of the car. This is where floor mats come in handy - removing them helped get rid of most of the beach debris.

Sunday

Sunday mornings were spent on picnics and taking the kids for dates and shopping. The biggest Mini handled it easily. It comfortably fit the four of us, our picnic gear and shopping bags.

The luggage compartment is spacious (with upright seats) and spacious with the seats folded down. (Image credit: Dan Pugh)

The two front cupholders were often used for takeaway coffee cups, as were the door pockets—they became a temporary home for baby drink bottles, combs, hair ties and an iPad. It never felt cramped or brought a smile to anyone (all under 11) who rode it.

An electric foot-sensing tailgate was a welcome feature that, given the amount of gear typically lugged around, was often used. The luggage compartment is roomy (with upright seats) and roomy with the seats folded down (40:20:40), and there's additional nifty storage space with a stowage compartment under the trunk floor.

The mall parking provided the right time to check the rear view camera (standard on this model) and the front, rear and side parking sensors. For street parking, one handy feature (or party trick when entertaining three kids) is an automatic parking system to help you parallel park in those tight spaces.

It was a classic sunny Sydney Sunday afternoon and Dad called to suggest a trip to see the local rugby match. Taking my son with me, I took a short detour to test the Mini's performance a little more. Most SUVs make me wonder why the "S" stands for "Sport" and not "Suburb." Unlike the Countryman, the car was both confident and fun to drive.

The three-cylinder engine had amazing performance, especially in acceleration. On the other hand, the speedometer needle moves significantly slower above 70 km/h, when you feel that each of the three cylinders is working overtime.

Aside from the engine, steering and feel, it's definitely a Mini (especially in sport mode) and can make you forget you're driving an SUV with kids. The seats up front are very comfortable and shaped to provide a snug fit and good support. From the design to the materials used, the cabin has a first-class feel that invites driver and passengers to check every button and switch.

The Mini Countryman has grown in every way with better technology, safety equipment and practical features. This is a great number that will put a smile on your face and should be considered a real contender for a small SUV.

Is the Countryman right for your family? Tell us what you think in the comments below.