BY GABRIEL BRIDGER | F60 COUNTRYMAN, REVIEWS | MAR 29, 17

The 2017 MINI Countryman should just be a taller Clubman. It should be a MINI that feels too heavy. It should be a compromised crossover – too small on one hand and too large to be a MINI. We’ve heard it before when the first Countryman was released in 2011. And given that this one is bigger in every dimension we’re bound to hear it again. But here’s the thing – none of those critiques quite holds true. After driving the new MINI through the wilds of Oregon over the course of a very long snowy day, I’ve found that the new Countryman drives how we might have hoped – like a MINI.

But first let’s back up. It’s snowing. And reports are that the mountains we’re heading to just received another foot of snow last night. Apparently all wheel drive is not a recommendation by the park rangers— it’s a mandated requirement. This is either a brilliant test for the new Countryman or suicide. Our test car is the new 2017 Countryman Cooper S All4 with a six speed manual (yup) transmission. This should be fun.

The rest of the review and a ton of photos to be found at MotoringFile...

 

Nice review. They clearly like it and apparently it will fit well into the new MINI lineup. Didn't realize it would be so heavy however.......4 cylinder S would be mandatory if I purchase one.