The facelifted MINI Countryman has arrived in Australia with a host of styling and equipment upgrades that are tempered by higher prices – up by as much as $3700 – across the board.
MINI Australia has also taken the opportunity to drop diesel variants from the MINI Countryman range, and tweak the line-up further with a new ‘Pure’ version of its flagship John Cooper Works Countryman that starts at $61,915 plus on-road costs.
There are now just five model variants in the MINI SUV range, the Cooper Countryman starting $2300 higher than before at $44,500 plus on-road costs, followed by the Cooper S version from $52,900 and Hybrid from $60,900 – both up $3700.
At the top of the range, the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman stands some $5900 clear of the new JCW Pure at $67,818 plus ORCs, which marks a rise of $1918 over the previous model.
The new 2020 MINI Countryman is easily identified by its redesigned grille and new front bumper, while the rear bumper has also been given a nip and tuck, the tail-lights now feature a Union Jack motif and LED lighting is standard across the range.
Other standard features include an 8.8-inch infotainment unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and a new 5.5-inch digital instrument cluster.
The entry-level Cooper sticks with a 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Standard gear on the base-spec MINI Countryman includes an electric tailgate, adaptive cruise control, the aforementioned wireless phone charging and Leatherette sports seats.
The mid-spec Cooper S uses a more powerful 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, also driving the front wheels via a seven-speed DCT.
Standard equipment includes 18-inch light alloy wheels, black exterior styling elements, three drive modes, a JCW steering wheel, carbon black leather sports seats, piano black interior trim, forward collision warning and more.
The biggest mechanical changes with the new MINI Countryman are seen with the plug-in Hybrid variant, which now has a larger 9.6kWh battery that increases its electric-only driving range to 61km.
The PHEV combines the Cooper’s 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre powertrain with a 65kW/165Nm electric motor, as well as six-speed automatic transmission and MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system.
At the top end, the inaugural JCW Pure version joins the regular JCW variant in featuring an uprated 225kW/450Nm version of the Cooper S 2.0-litre turbo-four, driving all four wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport torque-converter auto transmission.
Headline features on the JCW Countryman Pure include sport suspension, 18-inch light alloy wheels, a JCW rear spoiler, four-piston front brake callipers, twin central exhaust outlets, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, leather/Dinamica sports seats, Anthracite headliner and more.
The John Cooper Works Countryman attracts a premium with exclusive gear such as adaptive dampers, larger 19-inch light alloy wheels, a head-up display, full-leather upholstery and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
How much does the 2020 MINI Cooper Countryman cost?
Cooper Countryman – $44,500 (+$2300)
Cooper S Countryman – $52,900 (+$3700)
Hybrid Countryman – $60,900 (+$3700)
JCW Countryman Pure – $61,915 (new)
JCW Countryman – $67,818 (+$1918)
* Prices exclude on-road costs