• Union jack rear lights may not appeal to everyone
• Diesel models no longer sold in the UK, despite complying with latest Euro-6d emissions regulations
• Infotainment screen too small and narrow
• Piano black surfaces are a magnet for dust and dirty fingerprints
• Some of the ventilation controls mounted too low on the centre console
• Shame it isn’t built in the UK
Model tested | Countryman Cooper D Sport
Price | £29,355
Built in | Graz, Austria
Codename | F60
Platform | UKL2
Bodystyle | 5-door SUV, 5-seats
Layout | Front-wheel-drive
Powerplant | 1,995cc, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, turbo diesel
Transmission | 6-speed manual
Stop-start | Yes
SCR | Yes
Max power | 148bhp @ 4,000rpm
Max torque | 258lb ft @ 1,750-2,500rpm
Max speed | 133mph
0-62mph | 9.1secs
CO2 emissions | 129g/km (Euro-6d RDE2)
Economy (combined) | 53.3-57.6mpg
Tank size | 51 litres
Range | 646 miles
Insurance group | 22
BIK rate (2020/2021 tax year) | 28%
Size (length/width with mirrors) | 4,297/2,001mm
Boot space (min/max) | 450/1,390 litres
Kerbweight | 1,550kg
Max towing weight | 1,500kg
Euro NCAP crash rating | 5 stars (pre-facelift tested)
Warranty | 3 years/Unlimited miles
The changes to the Countryman may appear subtle, but beneath the skin, MINI’s engineers have been working hard on boosting refinement. While the old car was good, the latest version is a much more rounded vehicle. It’s just disappointing that the diesel editions have been discontinued in the UK so quickly after they were launched.
