All automotive manufacturers do this. They offer a base model at a modest price and continue to upgrade that base model with "improvements" until the car or truck no longer costs $20,000 but $40,000.
Mini, an English company that manufactures small cars, is typical of this practice. An example is a recently tested 2019 Mini Cooper. A base Mini Cooper can cost a manufacturer's suggested price of $21,900. As the model name lengthens, though, prices rise and, some might think, skyrocket.
Add SE Countryman ALL4 PHEV Sport Edition to the Mini Cooper name, and the price is a manufacturer's suggested $39,800. Still to be added to the name are PHEV Special Edition, John Cooper Works Appearance and Touchscreen Navigation packages. Those name additions cost $4,825. Delivery is another $850. One could spend $45,475 on this vehicle.
That final price did not include leather trim except for a leather-wrapped and stitched in red manual adjustable steering wheel. Neither did it include a heated steering wheel, satellite radio or power front seats. These are luxury items that normally are included in the price of a $45,500 vehicle from such luxury manufacturers as Lexus, Infiniti, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz or BMW.
The black cloth seats in the tested Mini Cooper were neatly trimmed, though, with white vertical stripes and surrounded with white stitching. Plus the manual seat adjustment levers worked well.
For the final price of the tested Mini Cooper, one buys a funky and economical wagon. The PHEV in the name emphasizes economy, the SE promises sportiness and the Countryman points to a spacious interior promoting family journeys through the countryside. PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle which means a gasoline engine is paired with an electric motor (hybrids are two powerplants in one vehicle) and the result is savings on fuel purchases. A wise combination of the gas engine and electric motor can return an average of 65 miles per gallon of fuel usage in this PHEV Mini Cooper. During the test week, usage by the driver was unwise and the return was "only" 53 mpg. With a 240-volt outlet, the battery pack can be recharged in three hours.
The most spacious Mini on the market is the Countryman. On the tested wagon the ALL4 means all-wheel-drive, the S means upgrade trim and the E stands for electric.
The upgrade S trim replaced a six-speed stick shift with a six-speed automatic and turned 17- into 18-inch alloy wheels. The electric component raised horsepower from 134 to 221.
The market is loaded with these subcompact sport utility vehicles or wagons. Countryman competitors include Audi Q3, BMW X1, Buick Encore, Fiat 500X, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Kona, Infiniti Q30, Jeep Renegade, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Nissan Rogue Sport, Toyota C-HR. Most of these subcompacts have come to market in recent years, appealing to buyers who like the price and SUV-wagon design.
The Countryman fits easily into cramped parking quarters and is big enough to take a small family on a tour of the countryside. The cargo area is spacious and suitable for overnight trips. Overhead roof rails can safely carry 150 pounds of cargo. The split rear seats fold to expand cargo space from 17.6 to 23.5 cubic feet.
The 1.5-liter, twin-turbocharged three-cylinder engine is very peppy and can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.8 seconds. Since BMW owns Mini, the engine is from Germany which helps explain performance
The interior is laid out sensibly. Some controls, including start and stop plus all-electric drive mode, are on toggle switches. Controls for the heated exterior power mirrors are on front door panels.
For those interested in a spirited small city or suburban wagon with some elan to it, the Countryman is a good choice.
FAST FACTS
Vehicle: SE Countryman ALL4, PHEV model of 2019 Mini Cooper
Type: all-wheel-drive, five-passenger, four-door hybrid subcompact wagon
Price: $39,800
Power sources: 1.5-liter, 134-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder, electric motor with lithium-ion battery pack 87 horsepower
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Performance: 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.8 seconds
Fuel: 91 octane recommended
Fuel tank: 16 gallons
Cargo: 17.6 cubic feet rear seats up, 23.5 cubic feet rear seats folded flat
Leg room: 40.4 inches front, 37.6 inches rear
Wheelbase, length, width, height in inches: 105, 170, 72, 61
Weight: 3,690 pounds
Safety: antilock brakes, stability control, eight airbags, puddle lights with Mini logo (helps locate vehicle at night), park distance control sensors, rear camera
Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles, eight years or 80,000 miles battery, four years or unlimited mileage roadside assistance, free scheduled maintenance three years or 36,000 miles
Assembly: Netherlands
Information: www.miniusa.com
Mini offers space, power in 2019 Countryman
FAST FACTS
Vehicle: SE Countryman ALL4, PHEV model of 2019 Mini Cooper
Type: all-wheel-drive, five-passenger, four-door hybrid subcompact wagon
Price: $39,800
Power sources: 1.5-liter, 134-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder, electric motor with lithium-ion battery pack 87 horsepower
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Performance: 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.8 seconds
Fuel: 91 octane recommended
Fuel tank: 16 gallons
Cargo: 17.6 cubic feet rear seats up, 23.5 cubic feet rear seats folded flat
Leg room: 40.4 inches front, 37.6 inches rear
Wheelbase, length, width, height in inches: 105, 170, 72, 61
Weight: 3,690 pounds
Safety: antilock brakes, stability control, eight airbags, puddle lights with Mini logo (helps locate vehicle at night), park distance control sensors, rear camera
Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles, eight years or 80,000 miles battery, four years or unlimited mileage roadside assistance, free scheduled maintenance three years or 36,000 miles
Assembly: Netherlands
Information: www.miniusa.com
Mini offers space, power in 2019 Countryman
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