MOTORING
MINI Countryman vs Skoda Yeti By James Baggott MINI Countryman
All MINIs have a distinctive and instantly recognisable look to them, and with the Countryman range, it carries this identifiable image into a stockier frame to give you more space and practicality. The stylish bodywork helps to make the Countryman a tantalising option in the CUV sector and with great additions and features to match, it’s difficult to see why you wouldn’t choose it. However, it has competition from Skoda’s Yeti, a CUV similar in size and price and both cars have their good elements. For starters, both models have had recent redesigns to create more space and alter their looks to be more modern and upto-date. It has to be said that the Countryman certainly looks better than the Yeti, with the distinguishing features of the
MINI range, such as the shape, the headlights and front grille, to make it truly stand out on the road. The size of both models also make them very practical, with the smaller Countryman offering 350 litres of space in the boot with the seats up, whilst the Yeti has only 66 litres more in a car 20cm longer and 10cm taller. This means you can get more for your money space-wise in the Countryman, especially as the range starts off cheaper than the Skoda. Customisability has also been a recent appeal of the MINI market, and with the Countryman this is no exception. With MINI’s design additions that can be fitted to the whole range, you can personalise your Countryman as much as you wish. Also you can fit satellite navigation, stereo system, leather trim and ‘Run-Flat’ tyres to your model; great options that can be added to any of the range. Good options aren’t as easy to come by on the Yeti, as the better choices to fit are only available further up the Yeti model range, whilst almost all are compatible with every Countryman model. To compete with the Yeti’s off-road capabilities in the Yeti
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Outdoor and more expensive models, MINI offers the ‘All-4’ all-wheel drive system throughout the class. With a higher ride height and great grip on offer, the Countryman All-4 system will give you confidence both on and off road, with only a small premium on top of the two-wheel drive versions. The Yeti’s base model is fitted with a 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine producing 110hp, whilst the 1.6-litre in the One produces just 98hp. This doesn’t compromise much in speed with only a marginal difference in acceleration. Overall, with a wider variety of vehicle and equipment options, value for money and great 4x4 system, the MINI Countryman is the better option of the two, and with the great looking bodywork to encase you, why wouldn’t you want to drive it? The MINI Countryman is available from £17,105 for the One Countryman, with the top of the range 218hp John Cooper Works All-4 starting at £28,985. For more information on the Countryman or any other models in the MINI range, contact your nearest Inchcape MINI dealership.