The Mini hatchback has the hallmarks of a user-chooser gem, with high residuals, solid reliability, dynamic flair and fuel-efficient engines – but limited practicality makes it a no-go for many.

That’s why only a quarter of Minis sold are to fleet. The Countryman should change that. 

Despite a tangible consensus that Mini has no business making an SUV, as a fleet prospect it is hugely compelling: it offers all Mini’s strengths, but adds legitimate family practicality. 

BMW corporate operations manager Stephen Chater said: “There’s a significant opportunity for conquest here from other marques that have traditionally been very strong.

"The scale of the car is Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, and Nissan Qashqai. It’s now a product that people will consider alongside those.”

In front-wheel drive form, the 110bhp Cooper D diesel emits 116g/km of CO2 and returns 64.2mpg combined.

In All4 four-wheel drive guise, emissions are currently 121g/km, though Mini is working hard to squeeze that figure below the magic 120g/km mark before the car goes on sale in September.

So, along with the 89bhp, 113g/km One D diesel, there will be at least two Countrymans in the 13% benefit-in-kind bracket, and the All4 Cooper D is set to be the most efficient 4x4 on the market.

The Countryman should have residual values on its side too, unsurprisingly, with CAP and Glass’s suggesting between 47% and 52% after three years/ 60,000 miles.

Although we weren’t able to test a diesel Countryman, Mini promises exceptional refinement and smoothness from the newly-developed engines. We got behind the wheel of the highest CO2 emitter of the range, the 157g/km Cooper S All4.

Even that sticks within the 20% first year writing- down allowance threshold.

All manual cars get fuel-saving measures including start/stop engine technology, brake energy recapture and an optimal gearshift indicator.

Mini calls the measures Minimalism – essentially BMW’s EfficientDynamics work by another name.

On the road, the Countryman balances entertaining handling with bump-smoothing comfort, minimising body roll around corners yet soaking up road imperfections without too much cabin vibration.

It’s more refined than the standard hatchback, and the Cooper S doesn’t lack performance either: it sprints to 62mph from rest in just 7.4 seconds, and throttle response is instant from the 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine.

The higher-set driving position means all-round visibility is good, and it’s easy to get comfortable because there’s a wide range of seat and wheel adjustment.

Front and rear passenger space is abundant, with the sliding rear seats easily able to accommodate six-foot adults.

Boot space ranges from 220 litres to 1,170 litres, and with the rear seats in their middle position there’s around 350 litres.

That’s less than the 385 litres of the Focus hatchback, but competitive nonetheless.

Cabin quality seems to have taken an upward step, with better materials throughout and less hard plastic. The design is quite button-heavy, but it looks and feels upmarket. 

Standard equipment levels are reasonable, with basic One models getting air conditioning, parking sensors and electric mirrors as standard.

Cooper spec adds alloy wheels, and top-level Cooper S cars get sportier interior trim.

Two individual rear chairs are a no cost option, allowing an innovative ‘Mini Centre Rail’ to run the length of the cabin, on to which a myriad of accessories can be attached, such as mobile phone cradles and cup holders.

Verdict

The Countryman has all the quirky style and uniqueness Mini is famed for, but adds genuine four-seat practicality, decent boot space and class-leading fuel economy.

Good residuals are almost guaranteed, too, making it a car that can be chosen with the heart and the head.