Noteworthy Features
Power and Performance
The MINI Countryman Cooper S sports a 4-cylinder 1.6-liter Turbo engine with a 6-speed automatic Steptronic transmission. A Steptronic transmission incorporates a manual/sport drive mode and a fully automatic drive mode; the manual/sport drive mode allows for higher engine revving, which means that the driver has full control over which transmission to use; if they wish to change from manual to automatic, they can. The MINI Countryman has all-wheel drive and a 150-amp alternator.
Comfort and Amenities
The MINI Clubman Cooper S has a lot of customization options, and the storage on the MINI Clubman is excellent. The cargo doors swing out for easy access and the cargo area itself measures 17.5 cubic feet while the rear seats fold flat, and there is underfloor cargo storage as well. There are also several cupholders, four in the back and two in the front, while the door pockets can hold a 1-liter sports bottle. The auto climate controls are a hit as well, as are the rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Safety Features
Safety features are an important part of any vehicle; you want to know that you are safe no matter what conditions of the road are. The safety features of the MINI Countryman Cooper S include speed-sensitive rain detection variable intermittent wipers with heated jets, so when it starts raining, you don't have to take your eyes off the road to glance at the windshield wiper controls. Another great feature is that the windshield wipers automatically adjust to the intensity of the rain, which means that they will also turn themselves off when it's no longer raining, making the Mini Countryman a great car to have if you live in an area where it rains often.
Additional Considerations
Slow and Clunky Base Engine
The base engine of the MINI Clubman Cooper is described as slow and clunky with the automatic transmission. The Clubman isn't particularly agile as it's heavier than the previous model without the needed power bump to offset the extra weight.
Smaller Car With Special Fuel Requirements
The MINI Cooper Countryman does have a good gas mileage 22 city mileage and 31 highway mileage but it does require premium fuel. This means you'll be paying more at the pump. While you could go with the cheaper fuel, it could cause issues down the road.
More Expensive
The MINI Clubman is more expensive than the other compact hatchbacks of its size and feature selection. This may not make it the vehicle of choice for those who must be more budget-conscious.
