MINI Countryman Review

How much does it cost?

The Countryman sits firmly at the premium end of the compact SUV market, with BMW keen to cash in on that invaluable Mini branding. Even the most basic petrol versions of the car will set you back around £30,000, with higher-spec versions pushing up above £40,000, even before optional extras have been taken into account. The electric version of the model comes in two spec levels – the standard Countryman E and the more upmarket Countryman SE ALL4 – both of which qualify for the government’s Electric Car Grant. Once that full discount of £3,750 is applied, the two models start at £29,255 and £32,755 respectively. While the new prices very much pitch the Countryman at the premium end of things, better value can be found on the used market. A search on AA Cars shows that older versions of the current Countryman can be picked up from around £20,000, with electric versions getting underway at around £26,000. As a general rule, the Countryman does hold its value well, although it is worth being aware that used electric car prices continue to be volatile. If you want an older Countryman – which is less SUV-focused – previous generations of the car are available for as little as £2,500 on AA Cars.

Engine and performance

Overview

As the automotive industry continues the transition towards electrification, Mini has added more and more choice when it comes to the powertrain options in the Countryman. While traditional petrol engines do still make up the majority of the range, buyers can also now plump for plug-in hybrid and fully electric variants. Basic units include a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine as well as a more powerful 2.0-litre, four-cylinder set-up. Both are given turbochargers for extra grunt, as well as mild-hybrid capabilities for improved efficiency. The two options produce up to 170 and 218 bhp respectively, while a high-performance version of the latter is available in the sporty John Cooper Works car, which produces 300 bhp. When it comes to electrified versions of the Countryman, the plug-in hybrid teams a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 10 kWh electric motor, producing around 220 bhp overall. Meanwhile the full EV is powered by a 64.6 kWh battery which delivers instant acceleration and torque.

Out on the road

While it may be heftier than the rest of the Mini range, the Countryman does its best to stay true to the brand’s legacy when out on the road. Around town, the car feels agile with quick and well-weighted steering, which makes negotiating narrow roads and tight car parks a walk in the park. The elevated driving position also means that visibility is good, without ever feeling like you are towering over other road users. Moving out of town, and onto faster roads like motorways and dual carriageways, the Countryman feels stable and planted, with the electric model, in particular, offering a smooth and quiet experience. Road and wind noise is largely kept to a minimum, although this does start to change on higher spec cars, where larger alloy wheels can begin to take their toll.

Ride and handling

Being a Mini, the Countryman does put driver engagement far higher on the priority list than many of the other cars in this segment, meaning that its suspension is noticeably firmer than the majority of its rivals, something which can impact comfort when the road gets bumpy. The payoff for this is that the car handles more like a hatchback than an SUV with next to no body roll and composed cornering abilities. Around town, where potholes and speed bumps are an everyday occurrence, the Countryman lacks the comfort of many of its more softly-sprung rivals, but very few in this class can match it for driving pleasure. For family buyers, who also value responsiveness, the Countryman offers something genuinely different from the rest of the pack.

Interior and features

Interiors

For carmakers across the industry, minimalism is very much in vogue when it comes to designing interiors. Thankfully, Mini has decided not to follow that approach with the Countryman, instead opting for a bold and distinctive cabin. Up front, the car is dominated by a large central circular display that houses the infotainment system via a 9.4-inch touchscreen. The dash itself has been covered in fabric, which gives extra character, with a high level of materials used throughout. Elsewhere, the seats are comfortable and offer ample space, regardless of where you are sitting. Older versions of the Countryman did feel a little cramped – especially in the back – but the latest car’s extra bulk means that adults can now travel in comfort, even in the back.

Boot space and practicality

Given that this car has been designed as a more practical alternative to the traditional Mini, it really needs to perform well here, and thankfully it does put in a good showing. The car comes with 460 litres of boot capacity, rising to 1,450 litres with the back seats folded down, with access made easier by the fact that all models get an electric tailgate as standard. Further forward, cabin storage is well thought out, with generous door bins, cupholders, and a usable centre console. While it may not be the most spacious SUV in its class, the Countryman does make good use of the space it has.

Features

The Countryman boasts a good level of equipment as standard, with even the most basic cars getting Apple CarPlay; Android Auto; dual-zone automatic climate control; USB-C charging ports in the front and back, and rear parking sensors. As you move up the trim levels, Mini begins to add even more luxury touches, such as upgraded audio systems, head-up display, heated seats, and advanced navigation. While the car’s infotainment system looks great, it can be slightly laggy at times and a lack of physical buttons can make things quite fiddly when you’re on the move. The system can be confusing at first and takes a fair bit of getting used to.

Trim and colour options

The Countryman is offered in different models, the majority of which come in Classic, Exclusive, and Sport trim levels. The John Cooper Works model sits at the top of the range, offering maximum power and aggressive styling. Colour options include Midnight Black II, Legend Grey, Slate Blue, Blazing Blue, Chili Red, British Racing Green IV, Smokey Green, Melting Silver III and Nanuq White, with Mini also offering a choice of two-tone paint schemes and contrasting roof colours.

Safety and reliability

The Countryman comes equipped with a good level of safety tech, including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, all of which have contributed to an impressive five-star rating from Euro NCAP. Aided by its close ties to BMW, Mini’s reliability record has improved in recent years and, although repair costs can be higher than many rivals, build quality feels robust overall.

MPG, emissions and tax

Petrol versions of the Countryman can return between 34 and 46.3 mpg, depending on which setup you go for, placing the car roughly in the middle of the compact SUV segment. Meanwhile, the electric versions have a claimed range of up to 287 miles in between charges, placing them below rivals like the Volvo EX40. Elsewhere, when it comes to emissions, combustion-engined cars can be expected to release a minimum of 128 g/km of CO2, although the EV does produce zero tailpipe emissions. On the tax-front, the Countryman broadly mirrors the rest of the segment with petrol models falling into mid-range VED brackets. As with all cars priced above £40,000, some higher-spec models are subject to the government’s Expensive Car Supplement, which adds an additional £390 per year for five years from the second year of registration.