The still booming SUV sector has a new entrant, the all-new Mini Countryman, which is now bigger, more practical and better equipped than ever before.

Although it's currently the five-door hatch that does the heavy lifting in fleet for Mini, the new Countryman is expected to be a huge success for the firm, with one in three sales predicted to come from business users, which is much higher than the previous generation's 20%.

Now 20cm longer and 5cm wider, the new Countryman also offers 5cm more legroom, greater shoulder space and a 100-litre bigger boot at 450 litres - that's larger than its main rival the Audi Q2. Headroom is plentiful too and there are more storage options around the cabin to place your personal items while on the move.

Is bigger always better?

Despite its significant growth spurt, the Countryman still looks distinctly Mini, just more beefed up. Greater defined bonnet lines give the car a more muscular look and roof rails are now standard. The new LED headlamps are a particular head-turning addition and the rear lights are bigger too.

Diesel is likely to be the dominant fuel option, until the plug-in hybrid arrives at least, and CO2 emissions for the Cooper D start at 113g/km, while fuel economy for this model is at 65.7mp. Both are very competitive figures for this sector.

All-wheel drive is also available on all engine variants. Although it offers extra peace of mind when travelling in wet or icy conditions, there's a significant cost and CO2 premium attached, which should be taken into account.

Characterful drive

Here we're testing the Countryman in two-wheel guise with a 2.0-litre diesel under the bonnet that is more powerful and economical than the unit it replaces.

Out on the road, the Countryman certainly feels more grown-up than its siblings. It's not quite as nippy or fun in the corners as the hatchback, but still offers plenty of character with precise, weighted steering and lots of grip. On the flipside, the car also cruises very well on the motorway - there's a little diesel clatter at lower speeds, but rather than offend it adds to the car's overall charm.