It doesn't offer them now, but paddles for shifting strike us as a supremely logical next step. The car violently bucked and shuddered, almost like it was being momentarily slammed into park. Such is the case with the Countryman. The Juke also has good safety scores, as well as an attractive interior design and comfortable front seats. While the 2012 Mini Countryman carries a higher entry price than its competitors, the decision to purchase a Countryman can be reinforced by a long list of standard equipment. The heart of the all-wheel-drive setup is a rear differential with a multi-plate electro-mechanical clutch capable of sending up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels during aggressive or low-grip driving. The Countryman's standard safety equipment includes dual front, side and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control; and tire pressure monitors.
So, how about the Countryman? The Countryman made it all the way to 13,157 miles before requesting its first service, an oil change and inspection. Even warmer weather was not particularly kind to the Countryman. It was a range issue. The standard six-speed gearbox increases the Countryman S's sportiness, but its long throws prove cumbersome and languid at times. Kinda If Mini is known for one thing, it's handling — the much-ballyhooed go-kart feel. The Clubman shaves anywhere from a few tenths to almost a whole second, depending on the type and drivetrain.
The passenger seat's pedal-free footwell made for greater leg extension and comfort. All4 sends 100 percent of torque to the front wheels in normal driving and up to 50 percent to the rear wheels when needed. If Mini's first crossover — the Countryman — succeeds, it will be due more to its style and versatility than for the driving experience for which Minis have become known among enthusiasts. Source: Manufacturers The Countryman also has decent underfloor space; it's a few inches deep and almost as wide as the cargo floor itself. The Mini Cooper has enjoyed a reputation for go-kart handling, and the Countryman doesn't lose much cornering ability. While we don't have the space to list them all, we can say that many of the standalone options are grouped together in packages. We open the back hatch and reposition our carryon luggage, thankfully without having to use any of our antiquated Tetris strategies.
It had us weighing the pros and cons of going full rally. If you want average, go get a camry. It usually happened under hard acceleration and on an incline. The interior, although unique to the Countryman, is easily recognizable as that of a Mini as well. In fact, Mini remains an anomaly in the U. Not an Oxford spat in sight. Behind backseat Backseat folded Nissan Juke 8.
Engine Enhancements The Countryman goes on sale early next year in three different versions: base Countryman, turbocharged Countryman S, and top-banana all-wheel-drive another first for Mini Countryman S All4. It's a success, as much in back as up front. The Mileage Is Mini The Mini Coupe is our go-to example of a car that doesn't feel unsubstantial yet gets great gas mileage. Our exposure was limited, but it looks like all four seats in the Countryman are adult-friendly, even for long trips. The bottom cushion's long enough for almost anyone to get a firm grip, and the center console doesn't shear too much leg room.
Both engine choices displace 1. The optional Center Rail system is a unique system that replaces the center console with a range of potential storage options--ranging from cupholders to storage bins or specialized cubbies for electronics. It has six airbags, including the front pair, front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side curtains. And more important, the Countryman still feels like a Mini. With the Mini Connected option and an iPhone, drivers can also listen to Pandora and a set of Web radio channels. They were not willing to negotiate.
Stacking Up against the Competition. The engine sufficiently cools without one, plus the car better satisfies strict international pedestrian safety standards. . The models I drove exhibited admirable grip, but I should note that every one of them was equipped with Pirelli Cinturato P7 ultra-high-performance summer tires. It's almost hard to tell it's that much bigger at first glance, but it is.
Prior to strapping into the driver's seat, we notice the sporty vents at the front and rear of the back wheels. As is typical for Minis, the Countryman shows off cool retro styling and can be configured with attractive colors and details, such as stripes and patterned mirror covers. Steering feel goes numb when you are in greatest need of feedback from the road surface. Two questions: First, why is Mini building a four-door crossover? As the velocity builds, the chassis responds without distress. The standard upholstery is leatherette, which means vinyl. As the table below reflects, the Countryman's space is on the lower end of comparable small crossovers, greater than the Juke but smaller than the Outlander Sport and others. As much as I've enjoyed the cars, I've found the S versions practically unlivable on all but the smoothest roads.
During his journey, Seabaugh stopped 10 times along the way at gas stations. Our All4-equipped tester was actually quite engaging, the torque steer and mild amounts of understeer that we've come to expect from a normal Cooper S are gone. All-wheel drive no doubt factored into the equation as well, as the Countryman was the first modern Mini to feature the brand's all-new All4 system it's one of those fancy intelligent kinds , a big selling point in snowbelt states. Driving thrills don't often come from a 120-horsepower, 1. Apparently, when a Mini resides in the country, it gets fat.