There was a time when choosing a MINI meant choosing small. Those days are well and truly over when the Countryman was introduced back in 2011. Yes, we were there.
The all new MINI Countryman C is the largest MINI you can buy today and also its most accessible Countryman yet. Priced under the $250,000 mark (depending on COE and discounts), this is MINI’s entry level answer to a segment increasingly dominated by premium Chinese EVs. The difference is simple. MINI has not stripped the car bare to get there.
Taller, wider and longer
In terms of size, the new Countryman has grown meaningfully. It is longer, wider and taller than before, and it shows in daily use. Five adults fit comfortably without feeling like a social experiment and the boot offers up to 450 litres of space, making it genuinely practical for family life, road trips or the usual Singapore weekend routines. It still looks unmistakably MINI, just one that has grown up and embraced adulthood with confidence.
Power comes from a 1.5 litre three cylinder turbocharged engine producing 121 bhp and 230 Nm of torque. On paper, that sounds conservative. On the road, it feels lively. With a 0 to 100 km/h time of around 10 seconds, the MINI Countryman C feels peppy and responsive, particularly in city driving where quick bursts of acceleration matter more than outright speed.
True to MINI’s DNA, it remains fun to drive. The steering is alert, the chassis feels well balanced and there is a sense of eagerness that many compact SUVs lack. The car rides on 18 inch alloy wheels wrapped in Continental tyres, offering a good balance between comfort and control. You do feel sharper bumps over humps and road strips, but never enough to break the overall composure. Ride quality remains comfortable and well judged for daily use.
MINI personality intact
Step inside and the MINI personality is fully intact. The cabin is funky, modern and unmistakably MINI. While there are areas with harder plastics, they feel purposeful rather than cost cut. Build quality is solid, exactly what you would expect from a BMW Group product.
Dominating the dashboard is the large 240 mm round OLED infotainment display, which serves as the centrepiece of the interior. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging, and integrates MINI’s various driving modes and experience settings seamlessly. The now familiar MINI compartment in the centre console is present here too, adding both practicality and a touch of character. Subtle metal finishings around the cabin help reinforce the sense that this is still a well built premium car.
Where the MINI Countryman C truly stands out is its equipment list. Despite being positioned as an entry level offering, it does not feel sparse. You still get a head up display, adaptive cruise control, auto tailgate, 3D camera system and a genuinely slick infotainment interface. At a time when many competitors remove features to hit aggressive pricing, this MINI feels complete and thoughtfully specified.
Our test car’s black paint with contrasting white roof looks clean and understated. That said, MINI has always been about self expression. A bolder colour combination would suit the Countryman’s playful character even better and bring out more of its personality.
Not ready for an EV?
For buyers who are not quite ready to commit to an electric vehicle, the Countryman C makes a compelling argument. If range anxiety, long distance travel or simple familiarity still matter, this car offers reassurance. There is also resale value to consider. Historically, MINI models tend to retain their value better than many Chinese EVs, which often suffer from rapid depreciation due to fast paced product cycles.
In the past, there was no true entry level Countryman positioned to compete in this segment. Now there is. The MINI Countryman C fills that gap confidently.
If you are still on the fence about EV ownership but want something modern, practical, fun to drive and full of character, this MINI deserves a proper look. To us at AutoApp and Burnpavement at least, the petrol car is not dead yet, not when it still feels this enjoyable.
Technical Specifications
MINI Countryman C 1.5 (A)
Engine: 1.5-litre. 3-cylinder in-line 12-valve TwinPower Turbocharged
Powertrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 121 bhp
Torque: 230 Nm
Gearbox: 7-Speed DCT
0-100km/h: 10.5 seconds
Top Speed: 194 km/h
Fuel Tank Capacity: 54 Litres
Fuel Consumption: 14.7 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$257,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Joel Tam
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