Mini Countryman - Know its alternatives

Whenever we hear about the Mini, the first image or thought that crosses our minds is of the cute Cooper. However, the market has evolved, and so has the Mini. The demand for a crossover made Mini develop the Countryman which isn’t that mini after all.

The Mini Countryman carries forward the classic company design language with utmost elegance, just that it’s bigger than its other siblings in the house. The Countryman is a great car but there are few other ones available in the market, that might prove to be better alternatives to it.

1- BMW X1

The BMW X1 has been around for many years now and has proven its worth. Over the years it has received well-deserved upgrades and has gotten better with time. Since Mini is owned by the BMW Group, many parts of the Mini cars are borrowed from BMW cars. The X1 is powered by the same 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine that has been used in the Mini Countryman. It produces a max power of 184 bhp at 5000 to 6250 revs and has got 270 Nm of peak torque that kicks in at 1250 to 4500 revs. The transmission here is an 8-speed automatic Steptronic unit. There’s another engine option with the X1 - a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel unit that churns out 184 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 380 Nm of torque at 1,750 to 2,750 rpm.

When it comes to the looks, the BMW X1 is a clear winner. Just like any BMW car, the X1 features BMW signature kidney grille at the front and a pair of beautiful LED headlamps. The side profile looks great thanks to the fantastic alloy wheels and a profound character line that runs from the front door till the D-pillar. From the rear, the BMW X1 looks much mature and responsible.

The interior of the BMW X1 is in typical BMW style. BMW has successfully managed to create a sporty cabin without compromising on the comfort of the passengers. You also get various modern features and connectivity options.

The BMW X1 is available in 5 colors - Black Sapphire, Alpine White, Glacier Silver, Mineral Grey, and Mediterranean Blue - and is priced at RM 230,800.

2- Mercedes-Benz GLC

Another good German alternative to the Mini Countryman is the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Priced at RM 329,888, the GLC comes with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces a max power of 241 hp at 5,500 revs and the peak torque of 370 Nm comes into play at 1,300 to 1,400 revs. The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. The GLC can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds. Considering the overall dimensions of the vehicle, this is quite a remarkable score. With the foot down on the throttle pedal, the GLC will do a top speed run of 210 km/h.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is loaded with various high-end features like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, multicolor ambient lighting, fragrance atomization, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, an active parking system with steering assist, etc. Being a Mercedes, the fit, and finish, and use of materials inside the cabin of the GLC is top-notch. There is also a plethora of advanced safety features like nine airbags, collision-prevention assist, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assist, ABS, etc.

3- Lexus NX

The Lexus NX is a compact luxury crossover that has got looks to die for. Out of the aforementioned cars, the NX is the most dynamic, sporty, and youthful-looking car. Its LED headlights along with the massive black front grille, give it an aggressive look. To match the sharpness of the front end, the Lexus NX has been provided with a pair of sharp LED tail lights as well. There’s also a small roof-mounted spoiler to add a bit of sportiness even at the rear.

While designing the interior of the Lexus NX, much heed was paid on the comfort level. There’s more than sufficient amount of space inside the cabin so that all the occupants are seated comfortably. The 10.3-inch multi-info display offers convenient access to numerous vehicle features such as the audio, climate and navigation systems.

There are two engine options available with the Lexus NX. The first one is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that has a power output of 235 hp at 4,800 to 5,600 revs. It generates a peak torque of 350 Nm at 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. It comes mated to either a 6-speed A/T or a Super ECT with AI-Shift.

The other engine option comes with the top-end model of the NX. It’s a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that produces 153 hp at 5,700 rpm and max torque of 210 Nm at 4,200 to 4,400. This one comes with an Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT). The hybrid variant of the Lexus NX generates a total power of 197 hp.

The Lexus NX is available in 7 color options - Blue, Sonic Quartz, Platinum Silver Metallic, Red Mica Crystal Shine, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake and Amber Crystal Shine. The price range starts from RM 294,290 for the base model. If you’re interested in the hybrid variant then you’d need to spend RM 375,350.