THE second-generation Mini Countryman is charged with surfing the wave of SUV sales popularity that was missed by its predecessor, which sat in showrooms as buyers flocked toward other premium-priced compact crossovers from Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover.

People who first drove out of a Mini dealership while they were single or perhaps as a child-free couple lacked a realistic reason to return once they had reproduced. That shiny new Mini would have to wait until mid-life crisis time.

Until now. The Countryman has grown, if not grown up. It is far more useful than before, as we found during our week of toddler-based torture testing, but we are speaking in relative terms.

And on days when the offspring are in childcare, or with the grandparents, that Mini badge on the bonnet lives up to its promise of driving fun.