While final pricing is weeks away for all markets, we do have some insight into what MINI USA will be including in as standard features on the new Countryman. The list is a bit more premium that you might expect. According to MINI USA, every MINI Countryman will come standard with:
– The Panorama Sunroof
– Sensatec Leatherette Upholstery
– Comfort Access keyless entry
– MINI Connected infotainment system with 6.5-inch high-resolution display
– Rear View Camera with guidelines
– Rear Park Distance Control (parking sensors)
– Bluetooth supporting Telephone, Audio Streaming, and Siri Eyes Free
– Automatic Headlights and Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
– Fore-and-Aft Sliding Rear Seats with Reclining and 40:20:40 Split-Folding Backrests
– 17-inch light alloy wheels (Cooper) or 18-inch light alloy wheels (Cooper S)
In addition to this, models with ALL4 all-wheel drive also come standard with heated seats. Cooper S models (with and without ALL4) come with standard LED headlights and daytime running lights, bolstered sport seats, and 18-inch light alloy wheels.
The Countryman also introduces new optional metallic colors to the range: Chestnut and Island Blue. These will be joined by a selection of classic MINI colors already seen on other models.
Like other F Series MINIs, the new Countryman is a dramatic improvement over the old car in technology. Given this the new Technology package is a huge improvement over what had been offering. A key offering in this area is the Technology Package which will include a new 8.8-inch touchscreen navigation system, driven by MINI Connected 5.0, a redesigned and new-generation user interface and operating system, as well as Qi wireless device charging capability and MINI Find Mate Bluetooth tags. It’s unknown whether Apple’s CarPlay will be supported in this release but it’s worth noting that BMW’s recent move to iDrive 5.0 was a precursor to including CarPlay. So if it’s not included at launch, we should expect MINI to offer it very soon.
What do we expect from pricing? If we had to guess we’d look for the standard Cooper manual Countryman to start around $25k up about $2500 from the current car. Given the increase in size, standard equipment and quality that figure seems inline with both the industry and MINI’s historical pricing structure.
<p>Regarding the new Countryman, it could be that the BMW X1 is a better deal. Same wheelbase, same width, but ~5″ longer and with the 228hp JCW drivetrain. At a base of $33,100 it will be interesting to see how the Countryman compares. And just for the record, “Biggest MINI ever…” is not a selling point for me. That just needs to stop…</p>
<p>I loved that the original Countryman was a sub-compact class crossover with a compact class sized interior. Not looking forward to the new Countryman S ALL4 starting at $30k before any options are added. A certified pre-owned X1 will almost certainly be a better value.</p>
<p>Same here – the “big things in small packages” is one of the things that I really like about our R60</p>
<p>First–Big Thanx to Gabe for the avalanche of Countryman info. As a MINI enthusiast, we all realize how important this vehicle is to the brand and it’s future. I am a current Countryman owner and totally agree with Don below “Biggest MINI ever..” is a big turn off to me personally, but I get the attempt at mass market appeal. The product looks impressive, no doubt, pricing will be key. I am troubled by the 8″ increase in length, but much more so by the approx. 400 extra pounds it carries. That being said I must say the styling is very good. Much better than R56 to F56, which was a pretty big fail in my opinion. Can’t wait for a real road test and a verdict on whether “go-kart” handling is possible in a 3500 pound vehicle or not. I’ll be eagerly awaiting those results</p>
<p>To me, there was no improvement in styling. It’s still got that funky notch in the roofline (bottom side) behind the rear doors. The shape of the Paceman was much cleaner (similar to the Land Rover Evoque).</p>
<p>I really like the standard equipment upgrade, I hope that makes it throughout the rest of the lineup. With the exception of the Pano Sunroof I think all of those other items should be standard, and I’d add heated seats to the list too myself (but I live in a colder climate). To me this is a play to legitimize the premium pricing for these cars with premium features.</p>
<p>I do agree with others that it is quickly getting to BMW X1 territory, but I haven’t priced those so I don’t know where the equipment level is on those, but if its like every other BMW there is a list of things one would add to get it where they want.</p>
<p>As I said, base price for the X1 is $33,100…</p>
<p>For standard features: <a href="http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2017/X1/sDrive28i/Features_and_Specs/default.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2017/X1/sDrive28i/Features_and_Specs/default.aspx</a></p>