2016 Countryman vs the 2017 Countryman – Visual Differences
2016 Countryman vs the 2017 Countryman. There’s already plenty of debate but we thought we’d fan the flames a bit. So here they are – the original R60 (2010 – 2017) Countryman vs the all new (2017 – 2024) Countryman in all their glory. This is brought to you without comments or opinions. That’s your job.
<p>Curiously, we haven’t seen photos of the new Cooper Countryman, only the Cooper S. I’m not really a fan of the black horizontal bumper covers on the front and rear of the Cooper S. For me, the brown model, which appears to have the JCW exterior package, looks so much better.</p>
<p>Yeah, i found it curious that the normal Cooper has not been shown. In my opinion it looks a lot better than the Blue Countryman, and i even like it more than the Cooper S i think.</p>
<p>You can see all the models here: <a href="https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/new-mini-countryman.html" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/new-mini-countryman.html</a>.</p>
<p>But the best photos i have seen are from autocar here:</p>
<p><a href="http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/dsc_9622_0.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/dsc_9622_0.jpg</a></p>
<p><a href="http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/979799889.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/979799889.jpg</a></p>
<p><a href="http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/758589587.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/758589587.jpg</a></p>
<p>And autoexpress:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.autoexpress.co.uk/sites/autoexpressuk/files/styles/gallery_adv/public/2016/10/dsc_8161.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://cdn2.autoexpress.co.uk/sites/autoexpressuk/files/styles/gallery_adv/public/2016/10/dsc_8161.jpg</a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.autoexpress.co.uk/sites/autoexpressuk/files/styles/gallery_adv/public/2016/10/dsc_8169.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://cdn1.autoexpress.co.uk/sites/autoexpressuk/files/styles/gallery_adv/public/2016/10/dsc_8169.jpg</a></p>
<p>My dillema is i prefer the styling of this base countryman. But i want an engine from the Cooper S, SD, or SE as I’m not sure the Cooper 136BHP or Cooper D 150BHP is going to be enough with the weight increase.</p>
<p>I agree, I prefer the Cooper styling too, which is a good thing because you don’t have to pay extra for the good looks, but then you’re stuck with the base engines. Maybe a Cooper S Cooper grill option could work?</p>
<p>Or if they are directly interchangeable (fingers crossed) you could just order the part and swap it, maybe with a few more drilled holes to let an equivalent amount of air in (it looks like half of it is just closed off). That’s what I’ve been wanting for the S trim since the beginning, a cleaner Cooper face.</p>
<p>It’s still quite busy though, I want a cleaner look around the fog lights too.</p>
<p>I think this has been the case since the R50 in 2001.</p>
<p>I dont like the double chrome edge on the Cooper S grille and the way the hexagonal grill seems to sit our proud of the front a bit. That’s probably what puts me off so much. The off road styling pack just makes the car look silly IMO :). I wish they had kept the black headlight surrounds from the current countryman, they almost always look better than the chrome ones (unless you have a black car). But with these new headlights which have the led ring all the way round it just looks like another double line to outline things. And as you’re probably sensing, i don’t like the double lines :).</p>
<p>The fog lights i can accept, but i do think it would have been better if they had moved them out a bit and made the lower center grill match the width of the upper grill. Then the air curtain vents just sit outside the new foglight position. Something a bit like this (excuse the rushed edit).</p>
<p><a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2c5dabaaeb874c86d195198c18d958fcfbf2b58cca13808147b8e9980233382b.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2c5dabaaeb874c86d195198c18d958fcfbf2b58cca13808147b8e9980233382b.jpg</a></p>
<p>Looking at the edited version the lower grill would need a tiny bit of toning down, but overall, with the black headlight surrounds and the simplified front end its starting to look nicer.</p>
<p>Looks way better! I agree with this edit. And with the disdain for double lines.</p>
<p>Another view of the Cooper that looks even better (to me) with the chrome Cooper grill:
<a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7ad32e993a6eb72d212b53d0872f3d5f46a9fd273eb841795d2b7263b8963182.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7ad32e993a6eb72d212b53d0872f3d5f46a9fd273eb841795d2b7263b8963182.jpg</a></p>
<p>Plus some more pictures from MINI UK homepage of the Cooper S with the black bumper that show it makes a WHOLE LOT more sense with a black roof instead of white:
<a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ec1ed5db981dd3285803377d0d5adaa0abfa9ebf8cf0dbf91670be29de3fa11a.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ec1ed5db981dd3285803377d0d5adaa0abfa9ebf8cf0dbf91670be29de3fa11a.jpg</a>
<a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c00310ed5f7df612bb4b56ddafba28622446d4420dedaf12d39b36e4f0bee4e2.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c00310ed5f7df612bb4b56ddafba28622446d4420dedaf12d39b36e4f0bee4e2.jpg</a>
<a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/22b2180f4fa177e5b88028805bbbbcaf508b346e817e2055edef2d9db85dc38d.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/22b2180f4fa177e5b88028805bbbbcaf508b346e817e2055edef2d9db85dc38d.jpg</a></p>
<p>Been holding out for a new car for over a year in anticipation of this very release.</p>
<p>Not crazy about the black bumper details either, luckily I think its an optional trim package.</p>
<p>From the UK Mini site:
“The optional MINI ALL4 Exterior Optic pack includes black high-gloss bumper elements, silver underbody protection sills and roof rails with silver side sills.”</p>
<p>I wouldn’t do it. First year and even second year MINI products are abysmal when it comes to quality. Be prepared for numerous issues with the car if you pull the trigger. For the price theyre going to charge for this vehicle, there are many other non-cute utes I would recommend. Hence, VW GTI or even Golf R. If you’re stuck on an SUV, the 2nd gen VW Tiguan will be a larger option, or Mazda has the new CX-5 coming out next month at LA auto show.</p>
<p>Ahh, that makes sense. It’s like the current ALL4 exterior styling pack for FWD models, though quite a bit more dramatic of a change.</p>
<p>Hey Gabe—Can we get a dimensional comparo chart between new F60, old R60, F56 and maybe Golf Alltrac or just plain 4 door Golf. You did one for the clubman and it’s a great way to get a feel for the size change</p>
<p>Those black bumper covers are just plain awful. They did it not once, but twice (front and rear). Possibly one of the worst design elements ever invented.</p>
<p>I don’t like the look of the new Countryman – I LOVE IT. I particular love the gradual evolution of the original design, its deep sides and squared-off rear corners giving it a much more masculine four-square look, and I’m over the moon with the slightly less prominent classic Mini grille.</p>
<p>The retention of the three window profile, with the slightly longer and now iconic ‘helmut’ rearmost window, together with the longer wheelbase, give the new Countryman a more cohesive look than the original. Finally, I love the standard fit roof bars, which help to mark it out as a true crossover.</p>
<p>BTW, according to sources close to BMW, a more rugged and off-road-capable spin-off version of the new Countryman is under development. It will feature a raised ride height, front and rear skid plates, and modified front and rear bumper designs. The Countryman’s shorter overhangs will give it an advantage over its competitors when off-roading.</p>
<p>Awww… Why am I just noticing it now? I lament the loss of the giant round MINI logo hinged hatch release.</p>
<p>Looking at the front 3/4 comparison of the old vs the new Countryman it looks to me like MINI just threw every cliche of SUV design at this car. With the exception of the roofline there is nothing here, in my opinion, that immediately identifies this as a MINI. Unlike the hatch and Clubman most non-MINI enthusiast would not be able to tell you that this is a MINI.</p>
<p>I like the cleaner, more simple look of the old one. And I actually liked the look of the old version before the refresh even better. The new design is just way too busy. Somehow the old model still looked like a fun little car while this looks like an SUV, which kind of ruins the fun factor and the point of buying a MINI. The new design looks like they crossed the old Countryman with a Kia Soul. Not sure what they were thinking.</p>
<p>I agree, make it like this:
<a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9198adeae3ea6dddec9b55bff0254880b4a3bdf5256d9e1e84c8c90cbb5cc0b3.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9198adeae3ea6dddec9b55bff0254880b4a3bdf5256d9e1e84c8c90cbb5cc0b3.jpg</a></p>
<p>Or like this: <a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9e7907aed170885d713036040e5020e57cf316a56e3dfa3fe27c5a62a5122b23.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9e7907aed170885d713036040e5020e57cf316a56e3dfa3fe27c5a62a5122b23.jpg</a></p>
<p>Otherwise what’s the point of making a huge-ass grill and closing off part of it only to make a second one at the bottom of the front…</p>
<p>They had it with the F56 concept, they just busied it up before release!
<a href="http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/P90128972_highRes.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/P90128972_highRes.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/P90128974_highRes.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/P90128974_highRes.jpg</a></p>
<p>Oh, one thing I forgot to mention. I love the way that the new Countryman has SUCCESS ‘writ large’ upon it. It is blatantly obvious that the new Countryman will be a huge global success story.</p>
<p>One little sweetener for devotees of the R53. The success of the new, and very profitable F60 Countryman, can only enhance the possibility of the – BMW board’s favoured – MINI Minor becoming MINI’s fifth superhero model.</p>
<p>Wondering why the comparison was not between the S variants from each year. Should have been apples to apples. Though they are countryman the Cooper and the Cooper S versions vary enough to do a true side-by-side.</p>
<p>For anyone wanting to configure one up and look at the different options. Things like the JCW exterior kit etc do this.</p>
<p>Go to mini.co.uk. Click on a countryman model and hit the configure button.</p>
<p>It will tell you the model no longer exists.</p>
<p>You will have a URL like this: <a href="https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/new-mini-countryman/mini-cooper-countryman.html#/configurator/YS32/uid=vfRe7&language=en&country=GB" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range/new-mini-countryman/mini-cooper-countryman.html#/configurator/YS32/uid=vfRe7&language=en&country=GB</a></p>
<p>Now the trick, edit the YS3X number incrementing whatever is in X by 1. Now on the choose a new model dialog click choose new model but then hit the close button on the model selector. Boom you are into the configurator. Been playing with various configs for the last couple of hours.</p>
<p>I’ve discovered in the UK at least:</p>
<ul>
<li>the roof rails cannot be removed (boo I was really hoping they would be).</li>
<li>Moonwalk grey is the only free color (Cooper and Cooper D). All other colors absurdly expensive including the solid white.</li>
<li>Wheel selection is somewhat limited and expensive – only 2 black options, rest are silver.</li>
<li>The black bumpers on the blue car are an optional All4 styling pack at a 1400 cost – no thank you and at that price it should die.</li>
</ul>
<p>I will let you explore the rest.</p>
<p>Here are a couple i configured which are looking nice to me:</p>
<p><a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6c70109298cab8657b6395ab48ade0b63db5d5dfbcf00d960cc85bf7734f2e1d.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6c70109298cab8657b6395ab48ade0b63db5d5dfbcf00d960cc85bf7734f2e1d.jpg</a></p>
<p><a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9df89098ffe79e10eac9aed1fafa17692ad995b1e8291d97706e588d72a2a0e9.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9df89098ffe79e10eac9aed1fafa17692ad995b1e8291d97706e588d72a2a0e9.jpg</a></p>
<p>Nice find!!!</p>
<p>Quick impressions: vastly prefer the old rear (who wouldn’t?), slightly prefer the new front. Side view, equally attractive but I am fond of the bulldog look of the outgoing model.</p>
<p>Can’t understand how that new rear end made it this far…. busy, disharmonious, garish.</p>