MINI's new Countryman SUV will have a segment-topping RV rating when it goes on sale in September.

According to a report by news source headlineauto, the model has been given a residual value rating of 47% by CAP after three years, giving it a clear lead over rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan (both 37%) and the Skoda Yeti (35%).

MINI's sales and marketing chief Jochen Goller said: 'This maintains MINI's position as the top brand for residual values, currently running at 40% across the range.' He added that the company has already received 5,000 web-based leads for the new model while dealers have taken a further 1,200 enquiries. 'This means that 50% of our 2010 UK production allocation is already forward-ordered.'

The Countryman, the first of the new MINIs to have four doors and optional four-wheel-drive, is being built under contract at the Magna Steyr factory in Graz, Austria. The car boasts the interior space of a larger C-segment model with room for four adults and luggage.