Road test: Mini Countryman S E Hybrid

AOL Cars got its hands on the new Mini Countryman S E Hybrid, to see if it could be the perfect mix of style, space, and low running costs.

What is it?

Minis aren't exactly mini anymore, are they? Over the years they've grown and become increasingly bloated. The new Countryman is perhaps the best (or worst) example of this – a five-seat crossover that's the largest vehicle Mini's ever produced.

However, we're less interested in the Countryman's size, and more interested in what lies under the skin, as this is the brand's first ever plug-in hybrid model. Theoretically, then, it combines a practical layout and rock-bottom running costs with the iconic Mini badge. If it all gels together, the not-so-Mini should become a school run stalwart.