New MINI Cooper Countryman, Cooper S Countryman Look Better In Person [w/Video]

The second generation Countryman, which is celebrating its world debut at the 2016 LA Auto Show, after being revealed online last month, is the biggest MINI to date.

Joining the likes of the Cooper S E Countryman All4, which happens to be the brand's first-ever hybrid car, is the most affordable member of the family, the Cooper Countryman. It utilizes a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder petrol engine, producing 134 HP (136 PS) and 162 lb-ft (220 Nm) of torque.

Until the JCW (John Cooper Works) model joins the lineup next year, the current range-topper is the Cooper S Countryman, with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline burner, rated at 189 HP (192 PS) and 207 lb-ft (280 Nm) of torque. This version needs 7.3 seconds to go from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) with a six-speed manual gearbox, 7.2 seconds with an automatic, and 7.0 seconds with the optional all-wheel drive system.

In markets outside the US, consumers get a couple of diesel-powered models as well - the Cooper D and Cooper SD, with the former good for 148 HP (150 PS) and 243 lb-ft (330 Nm) of torque, while the latter has 187 HP (190 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque.

The crossover is underpinned by the BMW Group's UKL2 platform, which is shared with other models made by the two brands. It's also significantly larger over its predecessor, a move that place it across the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Audi Q3.