Countryman: Max out in 4WD Mini

The Countryman is 300mm longer than a Mini hatchback. Photo / Supplied

So, confusion at the Karekare Beach Races last weekend. Parking is at a premium on the narrow bush-lined roads behind the Waitakeres, but I see potential in the marshalled "4x4 only" field.

Furrowed brows as the Countryman approaches - understandable, as this upsize-me Mini looks more surreal the closer you get. I'm halted at the gate: "Sorry mate, basically no parking here. You need a four-wheel drive."

I look hopeful. The tone is more incredulous than enquiring: "This is four-wheel drive?"

In truth, a clump of mud and a patch of slippery grass has the Countryman's All4 system and limited ground clearance stretched to its limits. It might be the first-ever four-wheel drive Mini, but the attraction of the extra traction is more to do with fashion than off-road function.

Just how big is the Countryman? It's a whopping 300mm longer than a Mini hatchback, 100mm wider and 150mm higher, but at 4100mm long it only occupies the road space of a regular supermini like a Ford Fiesta.

That extra bulk might be at odds with the Mini philosophy - but it does provide proper seating for four adults (five at a pinch) and a decent boot. Basically, the Countryman is everything people expected the Mini Clubman to be, but wasn't.

The Countryman comes with a range of petrol and diesel engines, in two and four-wheel drive, starting at $46,900. Our test car is the flagship Cooper S All4, with a 135kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo engine. It's heavier and a second slower to 100km/h than the three-door, but feels sprightly - even with a six-speed auto transmission.

Alarmingly quick steering - just 2.4 turns lock-to-lock - gives the Countryman the requisite kart-like Mini feel in corners. It rolls around much more than the hatch and the ride is unresolved on broken bitumen, but you've got to say it's still a lot of fun. The chassis is flawed, but as a driving experience it has genuine character.

The cabin has character too, even if it's overdone. The circular styling themes of smaller Minis are taken to extremes and the detailing is overwhelmingly fussy.

The Countryman is a car I didn't want to like but really do: the All4 does still feel like a Mini and provides family-sized cabin space into the bargain.

Just one thing before we finish, though: the Cooper S version costs $61,900, which is absurdly expensive. With options like the must-have Chill equipment pack (climate air, sports seats, different trim, unique alloy wheels), glass roof and even such mundane (but still optional) features like a cabin storage pack and flat load floor, the car shown here tops out at $74,540. Justifying a Mini at that price is cause for more head-scratching than anything.

Bottom line:
Don't agonise over whether there's a point to a five-door, four-wheel drive Mini.

The brand has never been about logic. But the Countryman does succeed in putting Mini character in a much larger package.

Rallying credibility
Still having trouble taking a massive Mini seriously? The release of the Countryman-based World Rally Championship contender might help the car's credibility. The Countryman WRC is on its first official outing, in the Rally d'Italia Sardegna, although the team will not attempt a full points campaign until next year - that WRC will feature a round in New Zealand.

The Countryman WRC has little to do with the iconic Mini rally cars of the 1960s - they were giant-killers, this is a giant Mini. But it looks great and a third maker to rival Citroen and Ford has got to be a good thing.

Alternatives
BMW X1 sDrive 18i $61,500
Mazda CX-7 Limited $48,995
Peugeot 3008 Luxury $54,990
Skoda Yeti TDI $48,000
VW Tiguan $55,500