New 2020 MINI Countryman facelift revealed with new engines

An updated version of the MINI Countryman crossover has been launched, with a range of design and technology updates, as well as a tweaked engine line-up. It’s available to order now, with prices starting from £23,500 for the entry-level Cooper.

First deliveries are expected to arrive in August and, when the updated Countryman reaches the UK market, it will offer fresh competition for the likes of the Nissan Juke, Volkswagen T-Roc and Audi Q2.

Cosmetic revisions over the pre-facelift model include a new front grille, new front and rear bumpers, two new paint finishes, the introduction of Union Flag tail-light signatures and a choice of fresh alloy wheel designs as large as 19 inches. Buyers now get adaptive LED headlamps with auto-dimming as standard, while ‘piano black’ exterior trim pieces can also be specced in place of the standard car’s chrome finishings.

Inside, there’s a new five-inch digital instrument cluster lifted from the MINI Electric hatchback, which is standard on every mode. Piano Black trim has been added to the dashboard and door cards, and two new leather upholstery colours – Indigo Blue and Chester Malt Brown – are now available. Like the outgoing model, buyers can also choose from either a 6.5-inch or 8.8-inch central touchscreen infotainment system.

It’s offered with the same basic range of engines as the pre-facelift model – although MINI has implemented a range of efficiency and performance tweaks. Petrol models have a new, higher-pressure direct injection system and a redesigned cylinder head, while the diesels feature an updated AdBlue system, to help the meet the latest Euro 6d emissions standards.

The range opens with the Cooper, which is powered by a 134bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol unit, offering a 0–62mph time of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 127mph. Stepping up a rung, the Cooper S model is priced from £26,000 – and it’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, which now develops 176bhp instead of 189bhp. The powertrain gives the Countryman a 0–62mph time of 7.5 seconds and an increased top speed of 140mph.

Prices for the MINI Countryman Cooper D start from £25,500. The model features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, with a newly revised two-stage turbocharging system. It has the same output as the outgoing model – 148bhp and 330Nm of torque – and offers a 0–62mph time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 122mph. Fuel economy figures range between 64.2–67.3mpg. 

For an extra £3,400, buyers can spec every petrol and diesel version of the updated MINI Countryman with an all-wheel-drive system, which also brings with it an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

The MINI Cooper Countryman Plug-in Hybrid ALL4 sits towards the top of the line-up, with prices starting from £34,700. Its powertrain comprises a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor and a 9.6kWh battery pack – which have a combined output of 217bhp.

The combustion engine sends drive to the front axle via a six-speed automatic gearbox, while the electric motor supplies the rear. The PHEV powertrain also allows the Countryman to cover a claimed 38 miles on electric power alone and return fuel economy figures of up to 166.1mpg.

Boot capacity goes unchanged. Non-hybrid models will swallow 450 litres of luggage with the rear seats in place – although this figure swells to 1,390 litres with the rear bench stowed. The battery pack fitted to the Countryman Plug-in Hybrid takes up 45 litres of space, dropping standard boot capacity to 405 litres. 

What do you make of the facelifted MINI Countryman? Let us know in the comments section below…