Used 2017 Mini Countryman John Cooper Works for sale 

The 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman Wagon offers just two trims currently, namely Base and S. It is a rear-wheel-drive with the 1.5 liters double overhead cam 3 cyl engine, which is situated in the middle of the car and provides a 6-speed dual-clutch Manual transmission as standard. Along with that, the Mini does get a start/stop button, an infotainment system, and daylight running Halogen Headlamps as standard.

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The Mini Countryman’s base variant has all the features that one sees in a high-end car. But the S-trim has a more powerful engine and provides much better performance than the base variant. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on upgrading to the Base variant, you can choose to not opt for the AWD variant of the S-trim. Thus you just spend an additional $2,000 and get a much better vehicle. 

The 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman Wagon is powered by a 1.5 liter turbocharged inline 3 cylinder engine which produces 134 hp of power and 162 lb-ft of torque. The base variant comes with a rear-wheel-drive setup as standard, but you have an option to opt for the all-wheel-drive setup. The engine is mated with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, which is not the biggest engine in the competition. The high-end S trim of the hatchback offers a bigger 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which has a higher power output of 189 horsepower.

The Mini is the only car in this segment with a 1.5-liter engine, while the Fiat 500L has a slightly smaller 1.4L engine that provides a much better power output of 160 hp. The Infinity has the highest power output of 208 hp, while the Mazda CX-3 is just ahead of the Mini with a power output of 146 hp. The 2.0 liter variant of the Mini has a much better output of 189 hp and thus outperforms the Mazda and the Fiat.

How quick is the 0-60 mph acceleration of the 2017 Mini Countryman?

The Mini is always known for its fast acceleration, but the Countryman does disappoint under this parameter. It takes a slow 9.3 seconds to cover 0-60 mph, easily the worst in this segment. The quarter-mile follows a similar pattern and takes forever, 18.1 sec to be exact, to cover the quarter-mile distance. 

The underdog, 2017 Infiniti QX30, does exceptionally well here too, with respectable figures of 6.3 seconds to reach 60 mph and 14.9 seconds to cover the quarter-mile distance. These figures are easily the best in this segment. The Fiat and the Mazda, both offer a similar time frame, and are placed in the middle with 0-60 mph in approx 8.0 sec. 

How is the Handling and Braking performance of the 2017 Mini Countryman?

The ride quality has never been a problem with the Mini, and this one doesn't disappoint either. It is impeccable with such good handling and control on the road. The steering is smooth and is fun to drive in the city and during traffic jams. The engine is peppy enough to provide the thrust. However, at higher rpm, it just takes forever to respond. The 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman Wagon has the braking to match its acceleration. In short, it is not the best in this regard too. It takes 118 feet to stop from 60 mph, better than just the Fiat at 119 feet.

The quickest to stop amongst the rivals is the Infiniti QX30 at 106 feet, and this is assisted by a much better braking setup than any other vehicle in this comparison. It is followed by the Mazda CX-3, which takes 117 feet to come to a standstill. Except for the Infiniti QX30, all offer a similar braking figure.

Finally, a segment where the Mini Countryman gives hefty competition to the rivals in the segment. The 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman Wagon gives a mileage of 16 mpg in the city, which improves to 33 mpg on the highway. Thus with a combined mpg of 28, the Mini does generate excellent figures.

The 2017 Fiat 500L’s thirsty engine, giving a combined mileage of 25mpg, takes it to the bottom of the pile, while the Infiniti is very close to the Mini at 27 mpg. The best in this category is the Mazda CX-3 with an impressive 29 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and a combined mileage of 31 mpg.

The 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman Wagon is a sports hatchback that accommodates 5 people. It has an immaculate interior and provides enough space for all the passengers. The seats are well laid out with impressive under-thigh support. The switches and toggles too are a worthy mention as they are so pleasing to the eye with such a retro design.

The seats are electronically powered, providing ample support to the driver. They are power-adjustable and heated. They are made of premium synthetic leather upholstery. Add to that leather-wrapped steering wheel which is sporty and can be adjusted as per the preference of the driver. The interior features include:

• 6-way manual driver and seat adjustments
• Leatherette
• Sport front seats
• Folding with pass-thru center armrest
• Rear ventilation ducts
• Reclining rear seat
• Split-folding rear seatback
• 4 one-touch power windows
• Remote keyless power door locks
• Heated mirrors

How intuitive is the Infotainment System in the 2017 Mini Countryman?

The Mini infotainment system is easy on the eye and works impeccably. It is easy to use and understand, and contains a Harman Sound system, again something unheard of in a hatchback of this size. It also gets an 8.8-inch touchscreen display on the S-trim, while the base model gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen display. Unfortunately Apple Carplay and Android Auto are not available, but Pandora and Spotify are available to stream music. However, it does have basic features like:

• 6.5/8.8-inch touchscreen display
• Radio with AM, FM, and Satellite
• 6 Speaker audio system (standard)
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (optional)
• USB connection
• Speed sensitive volume control

How much Cargo Volume is available in the 2017 Mini Countryman?

The Countryman does have a decent-sized trunk. In terms of practicality though, the trunk of the Mini can easily hold a few duffle bags among others. It has a wide opening with a flat surface, which is good for inserting and removing those heavy bags. It provides 17.6 cu.ft of cargo volume behind the rear seats, which improves to 47.6 cu.ft with rear seats folded. 

The Fiat 500L does have the best cargo capacity in this parameter with 22.4 cu.ft behind rear seats and 68.0 cu.ft with rear seats folded. It is closely followed by the ever-present Infiniti QX-30 with a maximum cargo volume of 54.8 cu.ft. It is the Mazda that requires serious working under this parameter as it provides the least cargo volume of 44.5 cu.ft. 

The 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman Wagon is definitely high on the style quotient as well as designing. It looks beautiful from the outset and from the inside as well. The new platform gives it a much better dimension too. The wheelbase is great for a vehicle in this segment. The ground clearance is another factor where this car deserves some points too. The new platform has also increased the clearance, which now stands at a steady 6.5 inches above the ground.

All the four cars are pretty much comparable in the dimensional parameters as all of them boast of a similar-sized cabin from the inside. The Mini does boast a ground clearance worth mentioning as it stands at an impressive 6.5 inches above the ground. The Infiniti definitely is the steal here too with 6.8 inches, while the Fiat definitely needs a workup with just 4.8 inches. Some of the exterior features include:

• Extended sunroof
• Intermittent rear wiper
• Rear defogger
• Daytime Running Lights

The NHTSA has not tested the Mini Countryman, but the IIHS has given a ‘Good’ rating for almost all the segments of their tests. Along with that, the IIHS has also awarded the Mini Countryman with the Top Safety Pick in the small hatchback segment for the year 2017. The Mini Is also equipped with some safety features that improve the safety factor. Here is a list of those features:

• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Child Seat Anchors
• Front And Rear Head Airbags
• Rear Center 3-Point Belt
• Stability Control
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Emergency Braking Assist

Mini Countryman vs Fiat 500L

The Fiat is of no match to the Mini. Despite having a smaller advantage in the engine, it generates almost equal torque and power. The Mini has a better pickup, and the braking is better too. Fuel economy is way better than the Fiat 500L. The Fiat though has a minutely better cabin space and provides much better cargo volume than the Countryman. However, Mini is a clear winner here.

Mini Countryman Vs Mazda CX-3

The fight between the Mini Countryman and the Mazda CX-3 follows a similar path to that of the Fiat too. The Mazda does have a better engine with decent interiors and costs much cheaper. However, the dimensions and space inside and the comfort along with the BMW platform makes the Mini Countryman the real deal in this comparison.

Mini Countryman Vs Infiniti QX-30

The Infiniti Qx-30 is the real dark horse here. It manages just about equal figures under some parameters with the Mini, most of which are related to comfort and convenience. However, once you step into the mechanical features, the Infiniti grows from strength to strength, giving insane figures all the way, and thus winning this comparison hands down.

Even if the Mini Countryman is not the most powerful vehicle here, it does have a great overall performance. The S trim has a much bigger and powerful engine that helps improve the performance further. But the Mini Countryman is not all about performance. It has a unique signature exterior design that attracts people of all ages. But that comes at an expensive price, where the rivals provide better performance at a much lower price.