Should you buy one?

There’s certainly a strong argument for it if you like driving. The MINI Countryman isn’t quite as practical as its closest rivals, but it makes up for that with its engaging driving experience, spacious seating, and quirky character. It’s a sensible family SUV that doesn’t take itself too seriously – and we love it for that reason.

Unless you’re a true speed demon, we reckon you’ll be best served by the most basic 1.5-litre engine. It has plenty of poke and its tuneful thrum suits the Countryman’s cheeky personality well. Our advice is to swerve the more powerful engines and spend your cash on improving the Countryman’s equipment levels.

If you’re after something fun to drive with better economy consider the Ford Kuga Hybrid or PHEV, although it’s not as pleasant inside. If you need more bootspace, try the Skoda Karoq.

What we like

Quite a lot. The Countryman’s a lot of fun. It might have grown over its predecessor, but it feels like a much smaller car to drive – and the slight size increase has had a huge impact on passenger comfort. Its interior technology also impresses and it’s probably the best car in its segment to drive. You get a good amount of standard kit, too.

What we don’t like

Its boot is much smaller than the Nissan Qashqai’s and you can’t have it with a full hybrid powertrain. It also has a firm ride and not enough physical buttons and dials for major functions. Like many new cars, far too many functions are controlled through the touchscreen.