Australian car magazine site
Car Advice reviews the MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4. Their ultimate view (although the numbers are in Australian Dollars right now the Australian Dollar is almost equal to the US Dollar):
It’s going to be a bit of a niche car, this Countryman. For a MINI, it’s not cheap – the car you see here is $50,400, plus options and on-roads, sneaking in under the Luxury Car Tax threshold. For the Chilli version, it’s $56,050 plus extras. As compact SUV’s go, it’s getting up there, especially for something that won’t go very far off road.
But what about the rally point-of-view? Well, then you’re talking about the Subaru WRX, which will wipe the floor with the MINI Cooper S Countryman, and is a fair whack cheaper, but the Countryman is much nicer inside.
So is there a real competitor? Well, according to MINI’s official company line, no. But when pressed, MINI acknowledges that it may be cross-shopped against the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Nissan Dualis.
Really? A $50,000 car? Well, if you think about it, the Countryman kicks off at $37,700, meaning it does actually compete with the Veedub, and things like Renault’s Koleos. For those who want to have something a bit different – a genuine head turner – then this will suit them perfectly. The thing is, it may not suit everyone else as it is, but if it had a John Cooper Works kit on it, had a lower ride height so it’s the same as a regular MINI and still had the all-wheel drive system, it would appeal to a much broader audience, don’t you think?
It is a good car, the Countryman. Especially good in Cooper S ALL4 guise, it combines MINI funkiness with general practicality, and is a welcome addition to the MINI range.
