Key facts:
Model tested: Mini Countryman 1.6 Cooper D All4, Mini Countryman 1.6 Cooper S All4
Price: £19,820, £21,820
Date tested: September 2010
Road tester: Andy Goodwin

First UK Drive
The Mini Countryman takes the Mini ethos, and stretches its dimensions in every direction. Its boot is more than twice the size of a Mini Hatchback's.

So, it's unashamedly a 'lifestyle' car, aimed at those who couldn't fit their mountain bikes and skis into their smaller Mini.

More importantly, it's the first family-friendly Mini. There's loads of room for kids in the back, and even adults will be comfortable on the rear seats.

It's also the first Mini with four-doors and the first available with four-wheel drive. But its looks suffer as a result. The basic design of the Mini works because it's a small, cheeky car. As a bigger and taller model, it's hard to describe the Countryman as good looking.

Despite this, the Countryman is still desirable. It continues the Mini tradition by offering almost endless personalisation, with 11 exterior colours, six alloy wheel designs, colour coding options, graphics and styling packs.

Inside, two or three rear seats are offered for the same price. Choose the less traditional four-seat layout and two metal rails stretch down the middle, allowing accessories to be clipped to it, from iPhone and iPad holders to sunglasses cases, a table and a special sweet jar.

The rear seats slide back and forth to adjust the balance between leg and luggage room, and they fold down or recline back for greater comfort on long journeys.

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Equipment levels are good, with Bluetooth, DAB digital radio, parking sensors and stop and start 'Minimalism' fuel-saving technology as standard.

The driving position is very good - the seats are higher up than in a normal hatchback giving great visibility - and the quality of interior materials is deeply impressive.

The driving experience is as good too; three petrol and two diesel engines will be offered from launch, all displacing 1.6 litres. The petrol options are 98bhp (One), 122bhp (Cooper) or 184bhp (Cooper S), while the diesels are 98bhp (One D) or 112bhp (Cooper D).

Every Countryman with a manual gearbox emits less than 160g/km of CO2, making it respectably cheap to tax. The 129g/km Countryman Cooper D All4 is the cleanest four-wheel drive car on sale in the UK.

The Cooper D feels punchy and responsive, while the Cooper S makes better use of the All4 four-wheel drive.

Handling is impressive; over an undulating and slightly bumpy road the Countryman is probably quicker than the Mini Hatchback, as the suspension smooths out bumps more easily.

From a technical perspective the Countryman is a great achievement, with excellent performance and fine handling. It opens the Mini brand to all who need extra space, and only some gimmicky features disappoint in the excellent interior.