Not only is it versatile, rather charming, reasonably-equipped and adequately powered – as it stands, its convincingly safe too.
The all-new 2017 MINI Countryman has just been presented with the TOP SAFETY PICK (results in link) award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as announced by MINI USA. (Ironic name isn’t it? Cause America’s huge…no, just me?) Oh, and it also took the same prize back in 2012 in the Small Car category.
The award, presented by the independent, non-profit scientific and educational organisation to the Countryman as it earned an advanced rating with its optional front crash prevention system. A feature that works somewhat like the Hyundai IONIQ’s Autonomous Emergency Braking feature – sadly not made available for any of the Countryman’s in this country.
Results pointed that the system mitigated a collision, with a reduced impact speed of 7 mph in both 12 mph (19 km/h) and 25 mph (40 km/h) tests conducted by IIHS.
What you’d want to know is that the 2017 Countryman also earned this designation from its good crashworthiness ratings across the board. Small overlap front, moderate overlap front, sides, roof strength and head restraint tests were among those conducted.
“The new MINI Countryman is not only the best equipped MINI we’ve ever sold, but it’s also the most technologically advanced and most versatile model we’ve ever offered,” said MINI of the Americas, Vice President, Thomas Felbermair.
The 2017 MINI Countryman is available in Cooper, Cooper S ALL4, and the recently launched and tested in Sepang MINI JCW Countryman.
