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A bigger MINI might sound like a contradiction in terms, but even the biggest MINI--the Countryman--is compact compared to the competition. With its size, the Countryman adds a healthy dose of practicality, too, with better off-road capability, four doors and four usable seats.
The Countryman also marked the debut of a new styling direction for MINI, and the 2012 Countryman sticks to its guns. Taller, bigger, and with a more boldly-styled front end, the Countryman is instantly recognizable, both as a MINI and as something out of the ordinary. Inside, the Countryman is more similar to its smaller siblings, with all of the good (quirky design, surprising roominess) and bad (odd ergonomics) that brings.
The Countryman, however, is not very MINI under the skin; it's actually based off the platform under BMW's X1. That brings with it ALL4 all-wheel drive capability, a more refined ride, and somewhat more weight, but the difference from a typical MINI is measured in small degrees, not major paradigm shifts. Power is not quite abundant with the Countryman, even in Cooper S ALL4 trim, but it's a sporty ride for a crossover. All three Countryman trims (base, S, and S ALL4) are available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Base models use the same 121-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder found in other MINIs, while the Cooper S Countryman models (including the ALL4) use the 181-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder common to the Cooper S range. It's a bit of a shock how much MINI there is in the Countryman's handling, but no surprise that in the end, it's more sporty crossover than real sports vehicle.
Fuel economy is, accordingly, more or less in line with other MINIs despite the added bulk: the non-turbo base model rates 27/35 mpg with the manual transmission and 25/30 mpg with the automatic. The Cooper S Countryman does only slightly worse with the manual at 26/32 mpg, and actually a little better with the automatic at 25/32 mpg. Adding all-wheel drive to the Countryman S is only a 1-2 mpg penalty depending on the transmission chosen.
Also, like its MINI family, the Countryman is almost infinitely configurable, with many color-customizable paint elements, interior options, and equipment packages. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth or vinyl upholstery, ambient lighting, HD Radio, and power accessories. Available options include leather upholstery, MINI Connected with navigation, a Premium package with automatic climate control, keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights, a Cold Weather package, a pair of Sport packages, and a Technology package.
The NHTSA hasn't yet rated the 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman, but the IIHS gives the nearly identical 2011 model a rating of "good" and a Top Safety Pick. Standard stability and traction control, corner brake control, anti-lock brakes, seven airbags, and more are all baked right in, helping it earn its top marks.
"Oh my god, is that for real? It's like a grown-up Big Wheel." "It's a Mini monster truck." The Mini Countryman elicits all sorts of responses from bystanders. So far, they're only positive, but at the same time you get the feeling no one takes the pint-sized crossover seriously. Other companies might cringe at the thought of their products being compared to toys, but Mini revels in it. A vehicle like the Countryman was never meant to be just another car; it's all fun all the time. 
Like other S model Minis, the Cooper S Countryman is powered by a 181-horspower 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4. Even with the added weight of All4 all-wheel-drive, the little crossover is still relatively quick. The six gears are a true pleasure to shuffle through and the tiny turbo keeps the car from ever feeling out of the power band. Testing shows a 0-60-mph time of 7.3 seconds, but the Mini is limited to 4500 RPM with the clutch in. (Apparently drivetrain preservation is a higher priority than rally car-style clutch-drop launches.) It can also run the quarter mile in 15.7 seconds and hit 89.1 mph in the traps. Again, impressive for such a small engine, but the time could be better if a more aggressive launch were allowed. The EPA says it will return 31 mpg on the highway, which is surprisingly high for a crossover, if that's what you consider it. 
Mini has always been known for building cars that are giant-killers on twisty roads. The Countryman may not chase down ZR1s with such ferocity, but it still feels like a Mini. Maybe more appropriately it feels like a Cooper S wearing Rollerblades. The steering feel and eagerness are recognizable from the smaller models, but everything is elevated. Not more or better, but literally elevated-by several inches vertically. Body roll isn't drastically increased, but because the center of gravity is higher everything is amplified. It just won't change directions as fast as a standard Cooper. The mass is always moving through bigger, higher arcs, and the longer wheelbase takes more space to rotate. Everything happens slower; it's a Cooper S on decaf. During figure-eight testing we steady-state lateral acceleration measured 0.86 g while recording a circuit time of 26.9 seconds, less than a half-second slower than a Volkswagen GTI and almost a half-second faster than the Nissan Juke. Motor Trend Rating: 
