The 2014 New York Auto Show->ke226 is here and Mini->ke57 has brought with it the new 2015 Countryman->ke3615. It's safe to say that the Countryman has come a long way since being introduced to the U.S. in the 2011 model year, even establishing a following of its own that's unique to all other variants of the Cooper->ke629.

Being a five-door model was probably a big advantage for those who sought a bigger Cooper. It was also the first all-wheel drive Mini->ke57, which made it ideal as one of the few Coopers that can hit the beaten path when called upon.

The 2015 Countryman doesn't offer a lot of changes that will blow you away. But the success of the Countryman as a unique model should make the 2015 model another popular seller. If anything, the minor cosmetic tweaks can be described as a bonus relative to what the whole package is offering.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Mini Countryman.

2015 Mini Countryman

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Mini Countryman
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The four-door Mini Countryman is a treat of a car, isn't it? You might even call it a compact SUV->ke145, even if its dimensions might suggest differently. For the 2015 model year, Mini brings back the Countryman with a handful of changes, although you'd be hard-pressed to find them if you line up one of these new cats with a prior model.

Up front, the hexagonal radiator grille gets a new design, or at least that's what Mini says. It appears as if the horizontal chrome bar and the new grille insert are the two biggest changes. Likewise, visual underride guard elements for the front and rear apron and side sills are now standard, which should bode well for the MINI ALL4 all-wheel-drive system.

New LED fog lights, daytime driving and parking lights are also part of the 2015 Countryman, as are other available features, including xenon headlamps and adaptive turning light, comfort access, panorama glass roof, automatic air conditioning, removable tow hitch with trailer load of up to 1,200 kilograms (2,645 pounds).

You can also avail new alloy wheels that are lighter than ever, improving your car's aerodynamic tendencies. Additional customization treats, like contrast colors on the roof and the exterior mirror caps, allow you to get creative on what the final look of your Countryman is going to be. You're gonna have to pay a premium for it, but it at least makes for a unique looking Mini.

All that and the Countryman still looks rather similar to last year's model, doesn't it?

2014 Mini Countryman Vs. 2015 Mini Countryman

Interior

Same as the exterior, the interior of the 2015 Countryman doesn't look too different. One thing you might notice though is how the Countryman's central speedometer is still where it is in the middle of the dashboard. It's interesting because the new-generation Cooper moved it to the more-traditional location behind the steering wheel.

The 2015 Countryman is also packed with in-car technology, including the standard Mission Control, Dynamic Music, Driving Excitement and MINIMALISM Analyser. A Harman Kardon h-ifi speaker system and model-specific John Cooper Works accessories can also be added as optional equipment, and necessary ones in our opinion if you want to make the most of the Countryman's interior experience.

As always, the Countryman's cabin is rather versatile, as its cargo capacity grows from 17.5 to as much as 42.2 cubic feet by sliding and folding the rear seats in several different configurations. Additionally, the rear seats also have five inches of fore and aft travel, so you can increase cargo room without losing any seating capacity.

Drivetrain

The 2015 Countryman will be powered by a base 1.6-liter turbo engine that produces 208 horsepower while mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This allows the car to break 60 mph in just 7.5 seconds to go with a top speed of 135 mph.

Type

1.6-liter turbo

Horsepower

208

Transmission

6-speed manual

0 to 60 mph

7.5 seconds

Top Speed

135 mph


Prices

Mini has yet to release pricing details for the 2015 Countryman. But with the changes made to it, or lack of noticeable ones at that, we're looking at a price that shouldn't be far from the $26,000 you need to pay for the base model. Or you can opt for the Countryman JCW, but that's going to set you back somewhere in the $35,000 range.

Competition

Fiat 500L

The expansion of the Fiat lineup is coinciding with that of Mini, so it's no surprise that the biggest competition the Countryman is the Fiat 500L. As the resident big boy 500, the 500L makes a compelling case as a five-door crossover because it pretty much fits in the same design architecture of the Countryman.

The "cab forward" design approach of the 500L not only helps improve the driver’s visibility, but it also gives the crossover a unique character compared to the 500.

Power still favors the Countryman, thanks to its myriad of engine options compared to just one for the 500L. That one is a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

The 500L also has the advantage of being markedly cheaper than the Countryman with a base price of just $19,100 for the 500L Pop. That figure goes all the way up to $24,195 for the 500L Lounge.

Conclusion

Since it was introduced in 2010, the Countryman has always had something unique to offer to customers compared to the rest of the Cooper lineup. Its size, versatility, and all-wheel-drive capabilities are huge attributes, plus it's got some decent power under its hood for its class.

Overall, the question about purchasing the Countryman is its price. It's got a reasonable tag and if you have the money for it, you shouldn't have trouble getting one. Just make sure that you choose the Jungle Green metallic finish.