When we decided to take an impromptu trip back to where we come from, namely the Peak District, recently we were lucky enough to be offered the new MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid to make the journey and, the old adage is true, good things do come in (relatively) small packages. Though MINI by name, the Countryman is anything but and it served as the perfect steed for making the journey to some of the UK’s finest green vistas around Bakewell and the Peaks.

The MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid prices start from £38k on the road and it is one impressive machine both inside and out. We had plenty of baggage for our trip to the Peak District and this small but perfectly formed vehicle handled it all with aplomb – albeit we did have the added extra of the official MINI Roof Rack which certainly came in handy. The MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid SUV provides a surprising amount of space to its passengers and the spirit you require to take on all sorts of adventures while emitting fewer emissions along the way.

This first-class vehicle from MINI is powered by both a combustion engine and an electric motor, so you can experience an electrifying combination on both your everyday drives and extraordinary escapes such as ours to the unpredictability hilly Peak District. Cars will seldom come smarter than the high-tech lithium-ion battery that powers the MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid. Kept at its optimum temperature by an advanced cooling system, the battery excels in both output and service life.

Capable of driving some 26 miles in the electric mode without any local CO2 emissions, it’s a good buffer to have if you’re not close to a petrol station. The switch between eDrive and petrol drive is smooth and fully automated with no interruptions – just the way it should be. From buggies to luggage and even the dog if you have one – the MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid has flexible space for whatever you’re bringing on your road trip adventures (up to 1000L of space with the seats folded down) and we loved how it handled and the little tech touches throughout here at The Coolector.

On the inside, the MINI Countryman we took on our road trip excursion to the Peak District definitely didn’t disappoint with great technological add-ons like parking assist, rear view camera and a 6.5″ touch screen display that lights up the car both literally and figuratively. This is our first time driving the Countryman and we’ve been left thoroughly impressed with the roomy feel it offers and the first class comfort on what was a pretty hefty drive. Definitely recommended.