Mini Countryman review

You might see the name Mini on the Motability list and think, “Really?”. Minis are good to drive, but they’re not renowned for being easy to get in and out of.

Well, the Countryman SUV is perfectly acceptable in that respect. For a start, it has doors that open to an angle of 66 degrees (it’s 63 degrees on its main rival, the Audi Q2). That makes the interior more accessible because the door is less likely to get in the way. If you have mobility issues, that could make a big difference.

The boot area is 760mm long and more than a metre wide, which is more than enough for a folded-up wheelchair, and the variable-height boot floor should make sliding one in much easier. The load lip is a low 685mm from the ground, which will also help matters.

It is possible to fit a wheelchair in the boot without collapsing it first, but the Countryman’s rear seats will need to be folded down first. The seats fold down in a 40/20/40 split, which makes them much more practical than 60/40 split seats you get as standard on the Q2.

A range of cubbies and decent-sized door bins means there’s plenty of space for odds and ends, and the glovebox is a generous size.

If you’re a diesel fan, we’re afraid there’s nothing for you here, because Mini doesn’t do them. You can have your Mini Countryman with all manner of other configurations, though, including a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine in Cooper models, or a hotter 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in Cooper S cars.