Mini Countryman – Back to Basics

Mini Countryman Cooper Essential, €44.390

The third generation of the Mini Countryman is already eager to replace the current one next year. Until then, you can order one of the second generation. Mini is already reducing the supply range of this – although that could be due to the chip shortages. Previously, you could at least order the Countryman as One with a tweaked three-cylinder with manual transmission. It was 102 hp strong and took 12 seconds over the standard sprint, and that’s not really ‘premium’. Slightly more premium – also because of the equipment – is the Countryman Cooper, with which the price lists now begin.

It has a 136-hp variant of the three-cylinder engine under its hood, which is linked to a double-clutch automatic transmission. It currently costs you at least €44,390, well over €7,000 more than the starting price of the One. For that money, the Premium package and the digital instruments are always checked on the option list: the choice is also limited in terms of equipment. Some options just have to be there. The actual starting price indicated here is therefore higher than the lowest price that you will find in the first selection menu in the configurator. A manual Cooper S (180 hp, ‘from’ €44,090) normally seems to be cheaper than this Cooper with automatic transmission. If you select that Cooper S, the total amount starts above €50,000. This is partly due to the fact that at this stage you are condemned to some options, for which you sometimes have to pay a lot.

Limited supply range = always rich equipment

Anyway, the starting price is therefore €44,390. For that money you get a Countryman Cooper in Essential version. It is dressed as standard in the metallic gray shade ‘Melting Silver III’ and is mounted on 16-inch light-alloy wheels. You will of course have to pay extra for a different color or larger wheels, although you can change the exterior by hand on the cut. For example, Mini sprays the roof and mirror caps in contrasting white or black (you can see the latter in the photos) at no extra cost. The All4 exterior package, inspired by the four-wheel drive Countryman, also costs you nothing extra. That provides some light gray accents on the side skirts, rear bumper and front bumper. In the latter of these, not only is the lower opening surrounded by the light gray plastic that comes with the package, but also the air guide slots on either side of it. What’s also notable: LED taillights with Union Jack motif are already included. Front and rear LED headlights and fog lights are also standard.

The rear lights with Union Jack are standard. The headlights are always equipped with LED lighting, but only get the characteristic ring on the outside at an additional cost.

The interior of the bare Cooper is covered in black fabric, with the dashboard panels in gray. Other colors or materials require an additional charge. On the inside, a multifunctional, leather-covered sports steering wheel is standard, as is the cruise control that you can operate on it. Two-zone automatic air conditioning and keyless go are also standard. The side mirrors are always heated – just like the front seats – and electrically foldable.

For infotainment, the Cooper gets an 8.8-inch screen in the middle as standard. Digital instruments are always present, as are DAB radio, Bluetooth and voice control. Furthermore, you cannot escape the Premium package. This includes navigation, a wireless charger, Apple CarPlay and rear parking sensors and camera. This completes the standard equipment. Actually, the essentials and almost all current luxury items are on it.

Luxury is therefore ‘standard’, decoration is not

Due to the disappearance of the One, the standard equipment at a Countryman can be called quite spacious. Especially due to the presence of the Premium package, because that provides, for example, heated seats and electrically folding mirrors, for which you normally pay extra. The 16-inch wheels and the lack of active safety systems that are standard with many competitors today, together ensure that the wallet could still itch in the pocket after spending more than €44,000. Especially when you consider that you can really indulge in the personalization with such a Mini.

If we therefore take a look at a more extensive version, an additional €2,400 will be added. You then have a Classic version with 17-inch wheels, on which you can choose from a number of colors without paying extra. The seat cover is slightly more luxurious and partly consists of artificial leather. Another step higher costs at least €5,000 extra. If you want not only a more pleasant decoration but also more equipment, it starts with exchanging the Premium package for a Premium Go or Premium Plus package (€1,000 or €2,800 extra). It contains the missed active safety and driver assistance systems and things such as electrically adjustable seats and a panoramic roof.

If you want even more, you can clearly notice that we are really dealing with a premium brand here. Luxury leather seats in different colours, large wheels, mood lighting, a lot of power: it is all possible, but costs a lot extra. Brown leather? More than €2,000 extra. 19 inches? Ditto. Today we learn that at Mini you can get a well-equipped and relatively spacious car for €44,390, which nevertheless does not look too thick. This makes it literally a surprisingly complete car. If you don’t like that and you want things like assistance systems, an electrically operated tailgate and a little more power, you can quickly increase the price towards €60,000 – or beyond.

The small wheels suggest otherwise, but this car is pretty in the stuff.