MINI Countryman 2011 Review

In 2011, when the subcompact SUV market was not as crowded as it is now, the debut of the MINI Countryman marked a departure from the brand's traditional "small car" image. This was MINI's first four-door, five-seat crossover model, which retained the brand's iconic retro and cute style while attempting to meet users' needs for practical space. This test drive involves the 2011 Countryman Public edition, and the main goal is to determine whether this "amplified MINI" truly balances the brand's style with everyday practicality and what driving a MINI crossover from over a decade ago feels like.

From the exterior, the Countryman Public is essentially an enlarged version of the "MINI style." The round headlights paired with a vertical grille make it unmistakable to recognize the classic design elements, only slightly larger than a standard MINI. The side profile is relatively simple, with black wheel arches and side skirts adding to the crossover feel. The 17-inch multi-spoke wheels were considered quite refined back then. The rear design continues the brand's style, featuring round taillights and a square-shaped rear bumper. While not particularly stunning, it delivers high recognizability. Notably, the Public edition uses a body-color roof design, lacking some of the personalized two-tone elements but appearing steadier and better suited to its intended household use.

Opening the door, the interior feels even more retro than the exterior. The circular multimedia section on the center console is undeniably the visual focal point, surrounded by physical buttons. Although it may seem outdated now, it was a very stylish layout back in 2011. As for materials, the Public edition primarily uses hard plastics, but the door armrests and seats are covered in fabric, which is fairly comfortable and doesn’t feel cheap. In terms of features, this model is equipped with a 6.5-inch central display that supports Bluetooth connectivity and basic audio functions. While it lacks modern smart systems, it is sufficient for daily music listening and phone calls. The seats are manually adjustable fabric seats with average padding but decent support, making them comfortable for long periods of seating.

Space is one of the most notable features of the Countryman. Its dimensions are 4097mm×1789mm×1561mm with a wheelbase of 2595mm. As a subcompact SUV, this size was relatively spacious at the time. The front row offers ample space, with a passenger of 180cm having about a fist's worth of headroom and sufficient legroom. The rear row is a highlight; it can comfortably seat two adults without feeling cramped, offering about one fist of headroom and two fists of legroom. The center floor is slightly raised, but it doesn't pose much of an issue. As for storage capacity, the trunk has a standard volume of 350L, which can expand to 1170L when the rear seats are folded down, allowing space for two 28-inch suitcases and some other miscellaneous items. The interior storage compartments are also plentiful, with practical spaces like door pockets, the central armrest box, and front cup holders, making it convenient to store phones, cups, and small items for daily use.

In terms of power, the 2011 Countryman Public is equipped with a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 90kW (122Ps) and a peak torque of 160Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Based on the specs, this engine's power isn't particularly strong, but it's adequate for daily commuting. Acceleration is responsive at the start, moving forward with a slight push on the pedal. However, mid-to-high-speed acceleration begins to feel a bit lackluster, and overtaking requires pressing the pedal harder. The transmission shifts down relatively quickly, but the overall power output remains smooth rather than sharp. The car offers two driving modes: Normal and Sport. Switching to Sport mode provides a more responsive throttle feel, although the overall performance gain is limited.

Handling and chassis are traditional strengths of MINI, and the Countryman is no exception. The steering is very precise, with little play and clear directionality, giving a "point-and-go" kind of driving experience. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension, which is tuned on the stiffer side, providing good support during cornering. Body roll is minimal, maintaining the usual driving pleasure of a MINI. However, the stiff suspension also comes with some issues. When driving on bumpy roads, vibrations are transmitted quite directly, and rear passengers may feel it more, sacrificing some comfort.

As a fuel-powered car, fuel consumption performance is a major concern for users. This test drive primarily took place on urban roads with a small amount of highway driving, resulting in an average fuel consumption of around 7.5L/100km. For a 1.6L engine, this performance is about average, and the daily use cost is not too high. As for braking, the brake pedal feedback is quite linear, with stable braking force output. The body maintains good stability during emergency braking, providing a decent sense of safety.

In terms of driving comfort, the performance of the Countryman Public can be considered passable. Engine noise is well-controlled when idling, but at high speeds, wind noise and tire noise become quite noticeable. Particularly, the tire noise requires turning up the music volume to mask it. The seat comfort is average; while the support is decent, prolonged sitting can still be tiring, especially for the rear seats where the backrest angle is relatively upright, making long trips less comfortable. However, the air conditioning system performs well. It cools quickly and has independent air vents for the rear, which can take care of the rear passengers' needs.

Overall, the biggest advantage of the 2011 MINI Countryman Public is its balance between MINI's brand style and practicality. It retains the classic design and great handling while solving the problem of limited space in standard MINI models. Compared to other models in the same class, it has a higher brand identity, and its space performance is on par with mainstream small SUVs of that era. While its features and performance may seem somewhat outdated now, it was a well-rounded model back in 2011.

This car is suitable for those who appreciate the MINI style but also need some practical space, such as young families or working professionals pursuing individuality. If you're looking for a small SUV that combines design appeal with practicality for everyday use, the 2011 Countryman Public is worth considering. However, keep in mind that its maintenance costs might be higher than those of regular family cars, and given that most used models on the market now are quite old, you need to inspect the condition carefully before buying.

In summary, the 2011 MINI Countryman Public is a "qualified family MINI." It doesn't have particularly outstanding highlights, but it also has no obvious shortcomings. If you can accept its maintenance costs and relatively average power performance, it can be a car that meets both your individual tastes and family needs.