FIRST DRIVE: F60 MINI Cooper S E Countryman All4 and Cooper S Countryman Sports – which is better?

The second-generation F60 MINI Cooper Countryman model was recently joined by the brand’s first ever plug-in hybrid model, the Cooper S E Countryman All4. It’s also locally-assembled to benefit from EEV tax breaks, hence the RM251k price tag. But how does it compare against the petrol-only Cooper S Countryman Sports (also CKD) at RM241k?

In terms of powertrain, the plug-in hybrid Countryman boasts a more sophisticated setup, featuring a 1.5 litre three-cylinder petrol engine (134 hp and 220 Nm) that’s married to a rear-mounted electric motor (87 hp and 165 Nm). With a total system output of 221 hp and 385 Nm, it’s the torquiest version of the Countryman you can buy today, and it sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.

Next, the Cooper S Sports is propelled by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine that is turbocharged to make 192 hp and 280 Nm of torque. With an eight-speed automatic transmission sending drive to the front wheels, it does the century sprint in 7.4 seconds. Its top speed is rated at 224 km/h, versus the PHEV at 198 km/h.

Equipment-wise, both are decently specced, but the Cooper S Sports comes with a tad more gadgetries, especially the swanky 8.8-inch touchscreen (up from 6.5 inches in the PHEV) and a 12-speaker, 360-watt Harmon Kardon sound system. Both items are not available on the Cooper S E.

If you’re considering between the two, be sure to watch the video above to find out what we think of the new Countryman. As usual, enjoy the picture gallery below, and let us know what you think.

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