New Model Preview: 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman S

Everyone knows a Mini Cooper when they see one, be it in two door hatchback, convertible or the slightly offbeat looking Clubman form. All three of these Minis have a wide and low stance that makes them look just a little bit like tenacious puppy dogs clinging to the road for dear life. The Mini has been a sales sensation in all three forms as a result of this unique appearance and the fact that they are so much fun to drive.

Enter the 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman which is this automaker's first attempt at building a more family friendly small SUV. But can the undeniable trade-offs inherent with the SUV mesh with the fun to drive at all costs ethos of the Mini brand? And does this four door, four passenger Mini really look as cute as its stable mates?

According to early reports the Countryman does apparently keep up the fun to drive Mini tradition thanks to a lot of help from parent company BMW which donated the architecture from its X1 SUV for this vehicle. And while the jury's still out on the somewhat scary reimagining of the headlamp/grille design, the rest of the 2011 Mini Countryman looks and feels just as it should.

When I saw the 2011 Countryman at the 2011 LA Auto Show I asked their PR reps why it was only built for four (a metal runner goes up the center of the rear seats on which you can attach cupholders, sunglass holders and other optional extra) and their answer was interesting. Apparently the five passenger variant available in Europe couldn't be properly crash tested in the U.S.

But if you are a dog owner and plan on using the back seat to haul around your dog Mini does offer a cargo compartment separator option that makes that space perfect for hauling around a couple of canines. So the 2011 Mini Countryman will work as a four passenger family hauler or as a two-seater with a couple of dogs aboard. With the rear seats folded there is 41.3 cubic feet of cargo space available.

Mini does offer the Countryman in base Cooper form but the preferred powerplant is undoubtedly the 1.6 liter turbocharged 181 horsepower/177 lb. feet of torque 4-cylinder that returns EPA estimates of 25 city/32 highway with the 6-speed automatic that most people will specify. A six-speed manual is optional. (Note: The base Cooper makes do with only 122 horsepower/118 lb. feet of torque.)

The Mini Cooper Countryman S starts at $25,950 and as is true with every vehicle from this automaker partaking too deeply from the options list can get expensive. Essentials include the $1,750 Premium Package (automatic climate control, Harmon Kardon sound system, panoramic sunroof) and $1,250 Convenience Package (Bluetooth, USB/iPod integration, Homelink, auto headlamps, auto wipers, keyless entry, push button start, auto-dimming rear view mirror).

Beyond those two option packages which should prove essential come resale time you can also add in-dash navigation (placed neatly within the enormous speedometer in the center of the dash), uniquely colored leather sport seats, hood stripes and the list goes on and on. And on. And on. And on. Seriously, the options list is huge.

The only fly in the ointment for Mini might be the newly introduced 2011 Nissan Juke which offers up most of the Mini's features and style for a price that maxes out just a little over $20,000. That's a whole lot of cost savings but the Mini's styling is a lot less "out there" and remember that all Countryman models come with 3 years/36,000 miles of free maintenance.

The 2011 Cooper Countryman S is also the first Mini available with full time all-wheel drive. So if you live in a snowy state this might be your first real chance to experience the joys of year round Mini ownership. Having personally driven the Mini Clubman S that my mom so loves I can guarantee that this fact is a very, very good thing.

Source: Miniusa.com