Driving the Mini Countryman S – a 2.0-litre turbo petrol 7-speed automatic all- wheel drive five door in the mid-spec Favoured grade – all up $61,990 plus on- road costs. Designed with an adventurous spirit this premium level Mini has enjoyed strong growth this year – sales up 155 percent. The Mini Countryman different, now roomier with features that border on being quirky. It’s not for everyone but for those buyers who like a little individuality it has real appeal. The performance very satisfying – strong and smooth with all-wheel drive grip on 19- inch alloys with 45-series Continental tyres and with the longest wheelbase in the five-model Mini model line-up offering a quality ride. And with Mini part of the BMW group, it carries the Bavarian company’s reputation for exceptional steering and dynamics. The Countryman returned nearly 9 L/100km with mainly city driving, not exceptional and on a dearer diet of 95 octane petrol but I didn’t drive it with economy in mind – rather enjoying its strong performance through the gears. Given its adventurous spirit I would have liked a spare wheel rather than a tyre repair kit but this aside there was much to like. Warranty a little underdone though at 5 years/unlimited km. Servicing $2275 over five years.

IMAGE CREDIT / Mini

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