A car that combines the excellent handling and distinctive looks of a traditional MINI with the chunky road presence, visibility and storage space of an SUV, the new Mini Countryman is equally suited to a drive through the city or a family camping trip in the deepest countryside.

While it is the first MINI to be over four metres long, have four doors, five seats and an all-wheel drive, the Countryman sacrifices very little in the way of performance. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 130mph. Optional accessories such as snow tyres make the Countryman a useful ally in all conditions.

The Mini One D delivers exceptional fuel efficiency for such a large vehicle, covering 64.2mpg. Carbon emissions are also low at just 115g/km, with the result that Countryman owners do not need to pay any road tax in the first year after purchase and only £30 per year in succeeding years.

The array of active and passive safety measures on the Countryman has resulted in it being given a five-star rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme. The sturdy structure and six airbags guarantee maximum safety, although features such as Dynamic Stability Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Cornering Brake Control should hopefully avoid such an unfortunate occurrence.

Discover more about the new Mini Countryman at Westerly MINI.