Jason H. Harper reviews the 2011 MCS Countryman for Bloomberg News. His most serious criticism was over tire choice:
The Countryman’s added height and weight conspire to work against the go-kart handling that the brand is famous for. The Countryman is still maneuverable, just less so.
My car had 18-inch run-flat tires which were extremely loud on the freeway and gave precious little cushioning on the bumps. Worse, the entire car lurches whenever it encounters a bump mid- corner, wrenching the steering wheel the opposite way. All problems that could potentially be fixed with a different tire choice.
The mega Mini does mean trading in a few Mini-like characteristics. But for many customers, the extra space inside is worth the car’s growing pains.