For those in the market for a MINI with added versatility and all-weather capability, the Countryman has always been an intriguing option. It caters to a specific audience: those needing more interior space and, crucially, those desiring the sure-footedness of all-wheel drive (AWD) in a MINI package. As someone living in a region with challenging winter conditions, the allure of an AWD MINI is undeniable. Navigating icy and snow-covered roads demands confidence, and while a standard front-wheel-drive MINI can be managed with caution, the promise of enhanced traction and control is highly appealing. This review delves into the MINI Countryman All4, exploring its capabilities as a winter-weather warrior and assessing its overall appeal for drivers seeking a practical yet fun-to-drive compact crossover.
Last winter, I had the opportunity to test drive a brand-new MINI Countryman All4, courtesy of Motorwerks MINI in Minneapolis. The timing was perfect, as the Twin Cities were experiencing a prolonged period of consistent snowfall. While major roads were regularly plowed and treated, side streets remained in a more challenging state, often glazed with ice and packed snow. Temperatures hovered around freezing, creating ideal conditions to evaluate the R60 Countryman’s winter driving prowess across a spectrum of typical winter street scenarios. The test vehicle was equipped with all-season tires and an automatic transmission, intentionally chosen to emphasize the inherent capabilities of the All4 system. This configuration allowed for a clear assessment: if the Countryman All4 excelled in these conditions, it would only be further enhanced by dedicated snow tires and the engagement of a manual gearbox.
Initial Impressions: Comfort and MINI DNA
Stepping into the Countryman All4 on a cold winter evening, the immediate impression was one of comfort. It retained the quintessential MINI feel in its steering responsiveness and connection to the road, yet elevated the overall driving experience with a noticeable emphasis on ride quality. The Countryman All4 offered a welcome sense of ease and relaxation behind the wheel, reminiscent of the Clubman S but with an added layer of refinement. The suspension adeptly absorbed bumps and imperfections in the road surface without isolating the driver from crucial feedback. The steering struck an excellent balance between responsiveness and weight, arguably offering the best steering feel in any MINI model to date. Furthermore, the seats proved to be exceptionally comfortable, surpassing any previous MINI seating experience. While perhaps not as aggressively bolstered as those in a MINI Cooper S for hard cornering, they provided ample support and a progressive feel. Much like the classic MINI hatch, the Countryman All4 conveyed a sense of solidity and plantedness, feeling secure and stable on its wheels. The turbocharged engine, equipped with variable valve timing, delivered confident acceleration even when paired with the automatic transmission. The higher driving position, while a departure from the traditional MINI hatch, surprisingly enhanced the enjoyment of driving this spirited vehicle on public roads. In essence, the R60 Countryman captured the essence of what’s loved about the R55 Clubman – comfort, power, and refinement – while mitigating some of the less desirable aesthetic and ergonomic quirks sometimes associated with MINI’s second generation. It quickly became apparent that judging the Countryman All4 against other models was unnecessary; it stood on its own merits as a remarkably well-rounded vehicle. It is, quite simply, a brilliant car in its own right.
Winter Performance: All4 System Unleashed
The entire evaluation of the Countryman All4 unfolded in precisely the kind of winter road conditions it was engineered to handle. While a comparison in warm, dry summer conditions wasn’t possible during this test, the benchmark was readily available: my own MINI Cooper S (R53), equipped with the same all-season tires and facing identical winter conditions. The contrast in winter road performance between the two vehicles was stark, a true night-and-day difference. Where the R53 often felt on the verge of losing grip and prone to understeer, the Countryman All4 instilled a sense of command and control over the treacherous Minneapolis streets. To illustrate this further, let’s delve into specific aspects of winter driving performance.
Starting, Stopping, and Accelerating in Snow
One of the most significant challenges of winter driving is simply initiating movement from a standstill. In deeper snow, exceeding four inches, a front-wheel-drive MINI hatch can struggle to gain traction at traffic lights, particularly on inclines. Getting moving becomes a slow and cautious process.
To thoroughly assess the Countryman All4’s ability to put power down in snowy conditions, I ventured beyond the well-traveled main roads of South Minneapolis, seeking out less-maintained neighborhood side streets. These provided an ideal testing ground to push the car’s winter capabilities.
The first test involved navigating stop signs at snow-laden intersections. As snow accumulates, it often forms substantial mounds at street corners, significantly obstructing visibility of oncoming traffic, especially at side street stop signs. This necessitates a calculated approach: assess the limited view, make an educated guess, and accelerate across the often slushy intersection. The Countryman All4 executed this maneuver with remarkable poise. Applying power was straightforward, requiring minimal hesitation or second-guessing. The All4 system appeared to prioritize redistributing power between the front and rear axles to maximize traction before engaging the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) to reduce engine power. In contrast to the R53, where DSC intervention would abruptly cut power and potentially bog the car down, the Countryman All4 seamlessly engaged the rear wheels, resulting in a surge of forward momentum that felt surprisingly similar to driving on dry pavement.
While adhering to safe driving practices in traffic, I also conducted more deliberate tests on side streets. Several times, I intentionally brought the Countryman All4 to a complete stop in deeply rutted, slushy areas neglected by snowplows. Then, I applied full throttle. While not producing neck-snapping acceleration, the car moved forward instantly and decisively, with minimal side slip. Within seconds and a couple of gear changes, the Countryman All4 effectively translated power into forward motion on the snow. This demonstrated a fundamental ability to confidently accelerate and get moving in challenging snow conditions, a crucial advantage in winter driving. Furthermore, the Countryman All4 exhibited commendable stopping performance, even without relying on manual gear changes for engine braking.
Cornering, Grip, and Emergency Handling
In a front-wheel-drive vehicle, winter driving often revolves around managing grip limitations. Maintaining a safe following distance and avoiding overly sharp turns are paramount to prevent rear-ending or understeering into obstacles. While features like limited-slip differentials and DSC assist, once grip is lost, control becomes precarious.
Back on the slushy side streets, I began evaluating the Countryman All4’s cornering capabilities with gentle weaving maneuvers between curbs. The grip felt progressive and predictable, inspiring confidence. The frequent transitions between streets, stop signs, and sloppy intersections provided ample opportunity to assess handling in dynamic conditions. Cornering from one street to another can be a challenging situation in a front-wheel-drive car, often leading to bogging down in slushy areas. However, the Countryman All4 powered through these transitions effortlessly. The combination of the All4 system and slightly increased ground clearance prevented any loss of momentum.
With a baseline understanding of the vehicle’s dynamics, I then intentionally pushed the Countryman All4 to its limits. I entered corners at higher speeds than advisable and allowed momentum to decrease in deep slush patches at intersection plow paths. I executed 90-degree turns with aggressive throttle input. In situations where a MINI hatch would likely understeer, the Countryman All4 maintained composure, powering through corners with a dynamically shifting and predictable grip. The experience was undeniably exhilarating. When pushed excessively hard, the car exhibited a slight tendency to oversteer around corners, easily corrected with a touch of opposite lock, often before DSC intervened to smoothly bring the car back on course. Even at the edge of its grip limits, the Countryman remained manageable, undramatic, and genuinely fun to drive.
To further assess emergency handling, I conducted a simulated “moose test” on a long, snow-covered side street. Accelerating to approximately 45 mph, I executed a sharp swerve to avoid an imaginary obstacle. Upon initiating the sharp turn, the front wheels momentarily lost traction. However, almost instantaneously, torque from the rear wheels engaged, and the Countryman All4 eagerly responded to the steering input, diving into the swerve. Upon sharply steering back into the original lane, the initial steering hesitation was absent, as the AWD system was fully engaged. The car smoothly returned to its original trajectory without drama or the need for significant steering correction. Remarkably, DSC did not appear to activate during this maneuver. Repeated simulated moose tests reinforced the Countryman All4’s exceptional snow handling capabilities. It allowed for confident swerving and turning with minimal regard for road conditions or speed.
Performance on Main Roads and Freeways
The Countryman All4’s performance on challenging, slushy side streets instilled immense confidence. Transitioning back to larger roads and eventually the freeway revealed a transformative shift in winter driving approach. The need to avoid outer lanes, often dusted with snow from plow piles, became obsolete. Navigating traffic became effortless, mirroring the ease experienced in an R53 during warmer months. The synergy of the All4 grip and the engine’s torque created an addictive sense of mastery over the road. Freeway driving and merging into traffic were equally seamless. It became easy to momentarily forget the winter conditions, a testament to the Countryman All4’s capability, though vigilance remains crucial even with AWD.
Verdict: The Ultimate Winter MINI?
While acknowledging the sentiment that AWD is not a universal necessity, particularly in milder climates, for regions experiencing winters like those in Minnesota, the Countryman All4 emerges as a compelling proposition, potentially the ultimate winter MINI. Its blend of comfort, capability, power, and practicality is exceptional. While the All4 system may not translate to faster lap times on a racetrack, it empowers drivers to confidently navigate snowy streets, transforming winter driving from a chore into an enjoyable experience. This enhanced confidence and driving pleasure undeniably justify the added cost and slight weight increase associated with the All4 system. Equipping the Countryman All4 with dedicated snow tires and a manual transmission would only amplify its brilliance. While initially appreciating the Countryman in concept, this test drive solidified its appeal. The desire to own one is now undeniable.
Special thanks to Charlie and Motorwerks MINI for providing the vehicle for this review!
