2011 Mini Cooper Countryman

When Mini entered the market in 2002, its Cooper coupe appealed to Americans with its style and size at a time when bigger was still seen as better. That alone would have been enough to bring the brand success, but the car went on to exceed sales expectations because of how it drives.

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If Mini's first crossover — the Countryman — succeeds, it will be due more to its style and versatility than for the driving experience for which Minis have become known among enthusiasts.

Just the idea of a crossover SUV from Mini seems like an oxymoron. Can a larger Mini still be a Mini? I'll answer that question about every aspect I can. I drove every possible combination of the Countryman's drivetrains and trim levels at a national media introduction in Austin, Texas; the car arrives at dealers in January.

Mini has four models. Because I'll be making comparisons, I'll call them the Coupe, the Convertible, the Clubman and the Countryman. The Coupe is the original two-door. The Convertible is a ragtop version of the Coupe, and the Clubman is an extended Coupe. The Countryman is the small crossover, new for 2011. Mini is certain to object to my names, as the company calls everything a Cooper or Cooper S, tacking the most important distinctions — Convertible, Clubman and Countryman — onto the end. Look with fresh eyes and you'll agree that Cooper and Cooper S are little more than trim level names for each body style, based on what engine it has.

From here on out, we're doing it my way. Each of the four names will represent that model's base trim level, and S will be the higher trim level. Mini might never again invite me to high tea, but you'll thank me for this.

Full specifications aren't available as we publish this review, but the Countryman has a base list price of $21,650. The S version starts at $25,250, and the S with Mini's All4 all-wheel drive starts at $26,950. The destination charge is $700.

The Look is Mini

No one will mistake the Countryman for anything but a Mini. Casual observers might think it's a regular Mini car, but anyone who gets close enough will recognize its larger size. The four doors are also a dead giveaway. The headlights are a bit more bug-eyed than those on the cars, and they're more like eyes than ever, because adaptive headlights are available for the first time on a Mini. With that option, the headlights aim in the direction of a turn, effectively looking where they're going.

The standard alloy wheels are 17 inches, and 18s are optional. You can also get 19-inchers from the dealer. Like Mini's cars, the Countryman offers a slew of accessories for customizing the vehicles, including exterior decals and other cosmetic upgrades.

The Size is Mini

I know it's larger than the other Minis, but in its class this crossover is a small one, with just four seats. The upcoming Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a likely competitor, and some will say the same of the Nissan Juke, though the Nissan seems more like a four-door hatchback. The Countryman is 15.1 inches longer than the Coupe and 5.8 inches longer than the Clubman. It's a few inches taller than its siblings and has the raised look of a crossover.