2012 MINI Cooper Countryman

As a small crossover, the 2012 Mini Countryman bridges the gap between the classic Mini concept and a modern crossover vehicle.

Equipped with four doors, four individual seats and a four-wheel-drive system known as Mini ALL4, the Mini Countryman offers more passenger space than any other Mini vehicle, along with nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space. The extra interior space is made possible by the additional height of the body, and by the car's longer wheelbase.

A key feature that is unique to this model is the innovative Center Rail. The aluminum track stretches from the front to the rear of the cabin and offers storage for personal items, electrical and USB connections for seamless integration of smartphones and other devices.

The Countryman is the first Mini vehicle to be named an IIHS "Top Safety Pick." The roof of the Countryman withstood a force equal to nearly 5 times the car's weight. By comparison, the current federal standard is 1.5 times weight.

Three gas and two diesel engines are available. The selection of gas variants ranges from the Mini One Countryman developing 98 horsepower and Mini Cooper Countryman (122 hp) to the 184-hp Mini Cooper S Countryman. The gas models are joined in the line-up by the diesel-powered Mini One D Countryman (90 hp) and Mini Cooper D Countryman (112 hp).

The list of standard equipment includes air conditioning and a CD audio system. A wide range of options are also available, such as exterior paint finishes and interior colors, upholstery variants, trim elements and model-specific equipment items, and high-quality audio and navigation systems.