Used Mini Countryman 2017-2024 review

The Mini Countryman might seem confusing on paper – telling people you've bought the "big Mini" is sure to raise some eyebrows – but it's less of an enigma in reality. What we have here is the retro stylings of the current Mini Hatch (also known as the core Mini) wrapped up in a small SUV package.

We've seen the same thing happen with the Fiat 500X, which is an SUV that takes inspiration from the Fiat 500 city car. The Ford Puma would be another example – it shares its name with a small coupé from the '90s – although it doesn't really resemble its namesake at all.

Engines and performance: The Countryman is available with some of the same punchy engines found under the Hatch's bonnet, starting with a 136bhp 1.5-litre petrol in the Cooper variant. A 192bhp 2.0-litre petrol features in the Cooper S – the Mini Countryman JCW version also has a 2.0-litre petrol, but with 231bhp (pre-2018) or 302bhp (post-2018).

As for diesels, there's a 148bhp Cooper D or 187bhp Cooper SD. Like the petrols, these diesels are available with four-wheel drive (front-wheel drive was the default option from new) and an automatic gearbox – the auto is only available on four-wheel-drive models.

There’s also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) called the Cooper S E. All of these models are four-wheel drive as and they combine a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor (that can operate independently), giving you a short burst of 30 miles of electric-only range officially: just make sure the battery is fully charged.

Ride and handling: It's business as usual when it comes to the driving experience, at least for the most part. Minis have a reputation for terrific handling, and the Countryman is certainly sharper than most comparable SUVs to drive. There's minimal body lean through corners and it has a responsive front end, making the whole car feel agile and nimble.

However, it isn’t perfect: the Countryman's sporty handling comes at the expense of ride comfort. Especially if you go for one of the high-performance variants, the Sport trim or a Countryman on large wheels, you feel even slight imperfections in the road. The car jitters down bumpy roads, whereas its luxurious interior might suggest to you that it would waft.

The ride is far from spine destroying (unless you hit a Mount Everest of a bump), meaning it's something we believe most people will find bearable, if not mildly annoying. Rivals such as the Skoda Kamiq are noticeably more comfortable to drive.

Interior and practicality: At least the Countryman's seats are comfy and supportive, and there’s a reasonable amount of space for four people, too. Squeezing in a fifth won’t be a popular move with your rear seat passengers, though, because shoulder room in the outer two seats is pretty restrictive.

They’ll be happier to know that you should be able to fit their luggage in the boot, mind you, thanks to a sizeable load area that’s larger even than those of some cars from the class above. This is further enhanced on cars fitted with the optional Storage Compartment Pack, which gives you a lockable, height-adjustable boot floor and some other neat additions such as netting, load straps and tie-down eyelets.

Trims and equipment: There aren't many trim options you can go for with earlier Countrymans, but there are, in typical Mini fashion, numerous packs to look out for. The Chili Pack adds dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, LED headlights, additional storage and an adjustable boot floor. The Comfort Pack has heated front seats and rear parking sensors, while Comfort Plus has all this and a reversing camera. The Navigation Pack adds (you've guessed it) sat-nav, while Navigation Plus includes a bigger, 8.8 infotainment screen. The Tech Pack includes Comfort and Navigation Plus while also throwing in an uprated Harman Kardon sound system. The Driving Assistance Pack has automatic emergency braking.

This changed somewhat in late 2018 with the introduction of 'style' tiers to Cooper and Cooper S models: Classic, Sport and Exclusive. Think of them as Classic being the standard version, Sport having the more athletic styling inside and out (and also a firmer ride, because most had sports suspension fitted; it became a no-cost option after the 2020 facelift), and Exclusive being the posh one with a bespoke alloy wheel design and fancier leather seats inside. The various optional packs continued as before.

Facelift: In 2020, the Countryman was given a light update, introducing a redesigned front grille and standard LED headlights and taillights (the latter consists of a design that mirrors the Union Flag). Elsewhere, key changes include the addition of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, tweaked engines and an optional touchscreen infotainment system. As mentioned previously, the trims were also updated.

"I really like the second-generation Countryman. I'm particularly fond of the interior, which feels really plush. The design is funky, too." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

If you're interested in finding a used Mini Countryman, or any of the other small SUVs mentioned here, take advantage of our Used Car Buying service to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Used Countryman models are now available from around £7000, although at this price you should expect high mileage and a basic specification. If you’re after a PHEV, you’ll need a minimum budget of about £9000. Facelifted versions from 2020 with higher mileage typically start at around £10,000.

Low-mileage, well-equipped examples begin at approximately £11,000, while the high-performance JCW variant commands prices from £17,000 upwards. A budget of around £13,000 should secure a solid 2020-2022 model. For a 2023 car, expect to pay at least £17,000, rising to £20,000 or more for a later 2024 model.

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MPG

The most efficient Countryman – the PHEV – has a combined WLTP figure of 141.2mpg. In reality, you'll only get near that if you charge it after every journey and drive it predominantly around town. If that doesn't sound like you, the diesel Cooper SD might be a better bet, because it achieves a decent 54.3mpg.

Other than that, there is the regular Cooper model with an economy figure of 44.8mpg, while even the more potent Cooper S returns a reasonable 42.2mpg. Avoid the JCW model if fuel economy is a concern, because it only manages 32.1mpg.

Opting for four-wheel drive will dent fuel consumption, so only choose a model with it specified if you really need the extra traction. Winter or all-season tyres might be a more cost-effective year-round solution.

Road tax (VED)

All examples of the Countryman registered after 1 April 2017 will incur a flat rate of road tax, and if you happen to plump for a top-of-the-range model with loads of options fitted, its higher list price when new might have taken it over the £40,000 threshold for the 'luxury' supplement from years two to six of ownership. The current fee is £200 per year, with the luxury tax being £440.

Insurance groups and servicing

Insurance groups tend to waver around the high teens and 20s (out of 50), and they depend on your chosen variant. Servicing costs for the Countryman will be higher than you’ll find for most small SUVs, although they should be broadly on a par with those of its chief premium rival, the Audi Q2.

Reliability

The second-generation Countryman is a dependable used buy, according to real-world owner reviews from our annual What Car? Reliability Survey. While robust, owners reported a few issues, with the main problem areas relating to engine mounts, crankshaft sensors and timing chain stretch on diesels. Despite these points, it remains a sturdy, premium SUV overall.

Engine

The 1.5-litre Cooper is our top engine choice. It strikes a great balance between efficiency and performance, offering enough power for everyday driving while delivering a more comfortable ride than the firmer Cooper S and JCW models. It’s also more affordable to buy and run than those alternatives.

If you have access to a home charger and can keep the battery topped up to maximise efficiency, the Cooper SE PHEV is worth considering. However, it does come with a higher purchase price than the standard Cooper.

Specification

The entry-level Classic trim is the best value in the line-up. It's a popular choice on the used market, plus it's cheaper than Exclusive and Sport models. It also comes with a decent amount of standard equipment, but we would recommend keeping out for some of the optional packs. The Chili Pack, for example, adds dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, LED headlights, additional storage and an adjustable boot floor.

Our favourite Mini Countryman: 1.5 Cooper Classic

The most direct rival to the Mini Countryman is the Audi Q2, which is a similarly upmarket small SUV that offers a high-quality interior and a range of impressive engines. There's no retro style here, though, so make of that what you will.

If you’re prepared to accept a slightly less plush interior than either of those cars’, though, there are huge savings to be had by choosing a more mainstream model. For the price of a year-old Mini Countryman, for example, you can have a year-old example of Seat’s excellent family SUV, the Seat Ateca, which is both bigger and better to drive.

One other option to look at is the Fiat 500X, which is as style-conscious as the Countryman. However, its interior isn’t quite as classy and it’s less spacious inside than the Countryman, while its engines can’t match the Mini’s for efficiency.

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If you're interested in finding a used Mini Countryman, or any of the other small SUVs mentioned here, take advantage of our Used Car Buying service to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.