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MINI Countryman Cooper D: Another big MINI perfect for business

MINI Countryman Cooper D Jan 17
Bigger and better for business: second generation MINI Countryman Cooper D

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18 January 2017

MINI Countryman Cooper D

What is it?

The all-new MINI Countryman SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle), that like the Clubman before it, has grown and is an even better fit for business.

The outgoing Countryman, although popular in the corporate market, was from what we understand too small for some.

In fact this new Countryman is so much bigger and wider that it has jumped a sector, now going up against rivals such as Audi’s quirky Q2 and the less premium but massively popular Nissan Qashqai.

So after 79,000 first-generation Countrymans sold, should the biggest MINI off-roader now be your C-Segment business choice? We’ve taken the expected best-seller the 2.0-litre, two-wheel drive Cooper D for a spin to find out.

What’s hot:

  • The dimensions might have grown, (remember this new car is 7.5cm longer and 3cm wider) but the last Countryman had the highest loyalty rate of the range with over 60% choosing another. So to not scare off these buyers, key design features from the original Countryman remain, such as the stepped floating roof and long bonnet – thus establishing a design theme.
  • The idea with the new Countryman design though is to add more off-road attitude and on the whole it has been a success. At the front we like the squinting oval front headlights, which are unique to the Countryman and with the optional Chili Pack are LED lit with distinctive halo rings. Plus, the stronger bonnet dome. At the side, we like the sharper front and rear wheel arches, lower cutout and chunkier side scuttles which mean business. The rear styling has also been tidied up and in our opinion has a more MINI look to it, with the number plate moving from the rear bumper to the centre of the boot and although the rear light clusters are as large as the outgoing ones, there’s more of a MINI design to them than before.
  •  Open that more MINI-like tailgate, which is electrically operated when you go for the Chili Pack, and you’ve now got an extra 100 litres of practically-shaped bootspace. But it’s not just the increased bootspace where new Countryman buyers will benefit, there’s also 50cm more noticeable knee room too in the back, meaning there’s now enough space for two tall passengers to travel in comfort. Like the last Countryman, the new model’s rear seat bench can also be made to slide, to increase either boot space or rear legroom.

MINI Countryman

  • The last Countryman was solidly built, but it didn’t really feel it. With the second-generation car, it’s clear that MINI has focussed on achieving a higher quality feel. This can be seen with the new dashboard with its soft, slush texture finish. The door trims are made of the same soft textured plastics as the dash and the doors shut with a higher quality clunk, rather than a clang.
  • Talking of the optional Chili pack (£2,980), it includes cloth/leather heated sports seats and MINI’s comfort access system, where if you waggle your foot below the rear bumper, the boot opens automatically. Useful when you have your arms full.
  • The Countryman might only be MINI in terms of the badges, but all the latest range are sold on the keen driving experience, which is supposed to echo the iconic original. We’re pleased to say this new bigger car doesn’t disappoint. First there’s the characteristic, go-kart like direct steering, the slick six-speed manual transmission, then there’s the keen handling. Yes, its length and height mean the new Countryman can’t quite match a John Cooper Works hatch in the corners, but it’s still a surprisingly keen drive and one you’ll enjoy taking a twisty route home with.
  • Another bonus of the longer wheelbase and chassis development over the original Countryman, is a more grown-up and comfortable ride for this new MINI, even on the 17-inch alloy wheels that were fitted.
  • Countryman Cooper D standard specification is ideal for business users and includes standard sat-nav with a colour 6.5 inch display screen, 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth and finally keyless go as standard features.
  • The 150bhp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder Cooper D engine is best described as torquey and smooth. It will accelerate from rest to 62mph in 8.9 seconds while providing official fuel economy of 65.7mpg. So in Cooper D form the Countryman strikes a good business balance of offering a keen drive, yet still being economical.
  • There’s also CO2 emissions of 113g/km, placing the £24,425 Cooper D in the 24% company car tax band for 2017/18, or as little as £97.50 a month in benefit-in-kind company car tax at 20% income tax.

 What’s not

  • The Chili Pack is expensive, has an impressive level of useful kit included, but it will bump up your P11D for tax purposes.
  • It might look like a pulled and stretched Countryman MK1, but still looks a bit odd from some angles.

MINI Countryman Cooper D review verdict

Here’s another impressive big new MINI, that in Cooper D form is perfectly suited to business use, now without packaging and quality compromises.

The new Countryman Cooper D is competitive on benefit-in-kind company car tax and running costs are kept in check with wallet-enhancing economy.

Add in an eight-speed auto available as an option, and you can see why with the growth in the C-Segment SAV market, the new Countryman is a car of its time and a serious business choice that’s perfect for SMEs looking for a distinctive and uplifting car choice for staff.

The lowdown on the MINI Countryman Cooper D

List price £24,425
Doors and body style 5-door SAV
Engine/gearbox: 2.0-litre, 4cyl diesel/six-speed manual transmission
CO2 Emissions: 113g/km
Economy (combined): 65.7mpg
Power/torque: 150bhp/330Nm
0-62mph/top speed: 8.9/129mph
Insurance group: n/a

 

What it Costs:

P11D value £24,370
Road Tax (VED) from April 2017: £160 first year/£140 p.a.
Company Car Tax Band 2017/18 to 2019/20: 24%, 26%, 29%
Benefit in Kind 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20: £5,849, £6,336, £7,067
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%): £1,085/£90
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%): £2,170/£181
Annual/Monthly Company Car Tax (20%): £1,170/£97
Annual/Monthly Company Car Tax (40%): £2,340/£195
MINI Countryman
Number plate has risen to the bootlid opening to bigger luggage space and more rear legroom

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