2017 MINI Cooper S Countryman All4 - Quick Review

(Contributing Editor: Susan Frissell, Women With Wheels.com)

Here in the Land of the Free and Largess, pint-size city cars are already a tough sell. Add classic retro models to that mix and their compromises often weigh more than the cars themselves.

In defiance of those odds, it has taken a luxury maker [BMW] of pricey, large executive sedans and crossovers retro city cars to buck the American stigma of "Anything Micro-Sized Other than a Microchip Sucks."

Thus, Roadblazing auditioned the re-designed "Not as Small" 2017 MINI Cooper Countryman sporty luxury "Cute-Ute" while trying not to think "Clown Car."

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WHAT: 2017 MINI Cooper Countryman S All4 2-Row sporty sub-compact Crossover Utility Vehicle. F60 is the 2nd generation, replacing R60 designation.

WHAT PROPELS:

Standard Power (Base Model): transverse intercooled turbocharged 1.5L DOHC 16V DI gas I-3 = 134 hp/ 162 lb-ft @ 1200 rpm + 6-spd. manual helical transaxle.

Countryman S Power (tested): 2.0L DOHC 16V DI intercooled turbocharged gas I-4 = 189 hp/ 207 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm + optional 8-speed torque converter planetary automatic w/ shift paddles.

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: Greater length is apparent: Aft of C-pillar, roof doesn't dip as much and center high mount brake lamp is integrated into the roof spoiler; Hood valley now creased; Lower body cladding gains adds contrasting satin metallic strip beneath rocker panels; Angel-eyes LED DRL ringed headlights are swept further back; Formerly metallic tri-bar grille, switched to black lattice design; Lower front fascia fog lamps are set in blacked-out corner aero housings; Wheel wells are less splayed to better fit larger rubber; Rear lamp housings stretch into tailgate, approaching a mid-height gloss black horizontal grab bar; -1 Faux front fender porthole with integrated side flasher

WHY: More spacious cast and crew transporter for future "Italian Job" film installments

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Autumn 2016

WHERE: MINI new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Born, Netherlands

WHERE TO: Optional GKN built electromagentic coupling multi-plate wet clutch, open differential all-wheel drive, e-varies front/ rear traction from nominal 100/0% - to maximum 50/50%, with ABS descent control. < 7" clearance = all-weather capable ≠ gully adventurous;

HOW ROADWORTHY: Sequential twin-scroll turbocharger on 2.0L turbocharged DOHC DI gas 4-cylinder keeps boost at near full boil; Slick 8-speed planetary automatic gearbox = snappy downshifter; +1 suspension travel > standard MINI = +1 road perturbance forgiveness despite 18" runflat low profile rubber;  Stiff springing is wallow resistant; Electric steering windup is crisply linear; Shorter than expected brake pedal travel is only chink in powerful clamping; Gas Engine clatter? -1 Run-flat tire transmitted road noise penetrates cabin above 80 mph.

HOW FAR: 23 combined miles per gallon;

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ Switch from dual 2nd Row buckets to 3-place split bench w/ 3.3" legroom > previous R60 = 5 adult occupants; -1 Rear seat cushion dips, forcing knees up; back so coifs ; +1 Expanded cargo volume increases by 12%

HOW USEFUL: √ Latching tilt cargo load floor w/ sub-floor storage; √ 3-place sliding split 2nd Row seat cushion; √ near flat folding 40/20/40% split 2nd Row tilting seatbacks; √ Integral roof rails; √ Driver's outboard sun visor; +1 forward visibility from tall greenhouse / -1 Outward rear visibility from thick seat headrests, wide side pillars & small backlight; Tow Rating: Not Rated.

HOW SAFE: √ 8 airbags; √ IIHS Safety Pick +; √ Rear camera; sonar front & rear Park Distance Control, √ Roll Mitigation, √ Blind spot, rear cross traffic warning & lane departure warning.

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: British cuteness is tempered by Teutonic efficiency, in celebrated in a MINI Countryman S cabin adorned by the brand's orbital theme. Materials are better than volume, finish is commendable and groupings are interesting if not always intuitive. Toggle switches on the lower center stack and overhead console evoke a time gone by, although remain difficult to distinguish.

Gone is the previous generation Mini's large dial instrumentation in the center stack. Adopting a modern sport bike stance, minimalist orange on black flanking dials are located ahead of the driver. The large round center stack screen now is restricted to media duties, filled by a rectangular I-Drive & touch controlled rectangular LCD screen. MINI infotainment runs a version of BMW Connected Apps, which is a comprehensive UI which requires a bit of studying. The cherry on top is the variable colored illuminated frame ring which evokes a touch of Wurlitzer juke box vibes.

√ Heated front passenger seats; √ 6-way power driver's; √ 4 power windows w/ full up/ down express; √ Puddle lamps at each door; √ Standard panoramic roof

• -1 Sporty front bucket seats, however, are not long haul comfortable for the wide of girth.

Cool Gizmo(s): √ Discus Keyfob; Wurlitzer/ Rockola variable color LED ringed infotainment display; √ Driver's side MINI winged logo puddle lamp; √ Onboard feature video tutorials!

Details Done Right: √ Gated toggle switches, including glowing red illuminated keyless ignition; √ Variable color full cabin ambient lighting;  √ Tilt / telescope JCW steering wheel = perforated leather rim inserts, w/ dorsal finger indentations;

Nearly Non-Descript: Short seat cushions; Leather wears premature, Faux embossed dashtop stitching; Hard plastic front seat backs advertise scuffs.

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ 8.8" touch LCD infotainment screen, √ Rotary dial display navigator w/ touch pad; √ Voice command hands-free communications; 3-D SD GPS navigation; √ Subscription based Sirius XM radio √ Low streaming audio amplification w/ base sound system; MINI Connected Apps: USB x 2, 12V x 3

• -1 No Android Auto; available Apple Mobile App ain't the same as Apple Car Play

HOW MUCH: $38,500 = as tested 2017 MINI Cooper Countryman S All4; BMW-style pricey options such as not-included driver-assist tech package pushes M.S.R.P. well past $40K!

WHAT'S MISSING: Wider & more pliant front seat cushions; Conventional radial tires = less tire noise; Less sensitive & deafening Park Distance Control alarm; Android Auto/ Apple Car Play (latter arriving 2018 MY); 115V outlet, +1 Cargo management; SMS messaging app.

ANY COMPETITION: Buick Encore: +1 luxurious cabin, compliant ride; FIAT 500X: +1 value, ground clearance (AWD model); Mazda CX-3 GT: +1 sleek style, efficiency; Nissan Juke NISMO; +1 rad tuner treatment