In a Big Countryman

Sporty, rather than sophisticated, is the word most commonly associated with a Mini but the new Countryman should change that.

The Mini Countryman is a crossover from the iconic British brand model and while the latest version looks very similar to its predecessor, it is a completely new car. The second-generation Countryman has the same bulging headlamps and unconventional roofline but it is bigger and its wheelbase stretched. The 4.3-metre mini-Mini SUV is 199 mm longer and 33 mm wider, with its wheelbase extended 75 mm to 2,670 mm.

All these have expanded cabin and boot space sufficiently to be immediately noticeable. Five adults can be comfortably ensconced in the spacious Countryman, with the three behind having no shortage of legroom.