Mini Countryman review

Mini by name – not so mini by nature. The Mini Countryman was already the brand’s largest model, and this latest version is even bigger than its predecessor.

As a result, this third-generation Countryman promises more interior space than ever for occupants and their luggage. That’s great news if you’ve grown out of the Mini hatchback and want to upgrade to something more practical but similarly striking to look at.

The Countryman’s large headlights and front grille, combined with short overhangs, have been hallmarks since the original version was launched more than a decade ago. However, the rear tail lights now let you switch from the signature Union Jack pattern to two alternatives.

Perhaps the biggest break from tradition – other than the addition of the battery-powered Mini Countryman Electric (which we've reviewed separately) – is the removal of any chrome exterior trim. Buyers can, though, choose between a classic or sporty look, and there are loads of personalisation options.

So, how well does the Mini Countryman stack up against the best family SUVs – including the Audi Q3, Nissan Qashqai and Volvo XC40? Read on to find out...

The entry-level model (called the Countryman C) has a 168bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine that drives the front wheels. It delivers all the performance most buyers will want or need, because it pulls well from low revs. Meanwhile 0-62mph takes a respectable 8.3 seconds. 

If you want something nippier, there's the Countryman S, which combines a 215bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine with four-wheel drive (ALL4 in Mini speak) and drops the 0-62mph time to 7.1 seconds.

Or, if that still isn't enough performance for you, there's the Countryman JCW. This sporty four-wheel-drive version is powered by a 296bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and can punch its way from 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds. In truth, it never feels quite as rapid as the figures suggest, but a healthy slug of mid-rev muscle makes for easy overtaking in any situation.

Whichever version of the Countryman you choose, a seven-speed automatic gearbox is standard. In the C this is reasonably smooth on the move, but when you're stationary or creeping along slowly there's often a lengthy delay between you pressing the accelerator pedal and the car surging forwards. That's not ideal when tackling junctions and roundabouts.

True, switching to the sportiest driving model (called Go Kart) sharpens up the response of the accelerator pedal and the snappiness of the gearbox, but it doesn't completely solve the issue.

The gearbox in more powerful versions of the Countryman is quicker to react. The JCW version also has shift paddles mounted behind its steering wheel to let you take control of gear changes yourself. You can have these paddles on the Countryman C and S, too, but you'll need to pay extra.

Ride comfort depends on which version you go for. Unsurprisingly, the sporty Countryman JCW has the firmest suspension. It's not jarring but it certainly jostles you around more than a Cupra Ateca.

We've yet to try the Countryman S, but the C offers a ride that's mostly supple yet well controlled. No, it doesn't isolate you from bumps as well as the best versions of the VW Tiguan or Volvo XC40, but the margins aren't huge.

The JCW's stiff suspension means there's not much body roll through corners, plus grip is plentiful. Sadly, the steering doesn't stream much feedback to your fingertips. So, although you can go round corners surprisingly quickly, you won't be having as much fun as in a Cupra Formentor, Ford Puma ST or Volkswagen T-Roc R.

That's less of a worry in the Countryman C. It's not sporty but it handles appropriately for a family SUV, staying a bit more upright through bends than an XC40. It's also quieter than the Countryman JCW, with less tyre noise and an engine that stays hushed, even when worked hard.

Driving overview

Strengths Punchy performance, especially from the JCW version; reasonably comfy ride

Weaknesses Steering is rather numb; Countryman C has a slow-witted gearbox

The driving position in the Mini Countryman is rather flawed, because the steering wheel is offset from the seat, it doesn't offer enough reach adjustment to suit everyone, and the head restraint forces your head forwards uncomfortably.

There’s also a shortage of lower back support in the front seats, and although adjustable lumbar support fixes that, it's available only with the Level 3 pack, which pushes up the price considerably.

More positively, the raised seating position and low dashboard make it easy to see over the bonnet, while the windscreen pillars are positioned in such a way that you can see around them easily at junctions and roundabouts.

The chunky side and rear pillars can make over-the-shoulder visibility a little more tricky, but at least every Countryman has rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.

All versions also come with LED headlights, while the JCW and S versions add automatic high-beam assist and cornering lights that light up when you turn into bends (you can add these to the Countryman C as part of the Level 1 pack).

The 9.5in infotainment touchscreen, which is circular as a tribute to the speedo in the original 1950s Mini, features sharp graphics and we have no complaints about response times. The operating system seems designed primarily to look snazzy rather than be simple to use, though, and some of the icons are small and fiddly.

The standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring let you run music and sat-nav apps on your mobile via the touchscreen. It's just annoying that the rectangular layout of the smartphone mirroring is awkwardly shoehorned into the middle of the circular display. 

It's also frustrating that there aren't any separate physical controls for adjusting the air-conditioning; instead, this is done via the screen. It's a criticism we've levelled at the Volvo XC40 for years and is, sadly, common among modern cars.

As for the rest of the interior, there’s plenty of colour and a variety of textures and different materials on show. That can’t hide the hard plastic on the dashboard, though. While the VW Tiguan and XC40 are not be as playfully designed inside, their interiors are built from classier materials.

It's also worth noting that the Countryman doesn't have conventional instrument dials behind the steering wheel. If you choose the Level 1 pack or higher (or the S or JCW) there's a piece of perspex on the dashboard that your speed and other information is projected on to, but otherwise you'll need to glance across at the infotainment screen.

Interior overview

Strengths High driving position; interior has plenty of visual appeal

Weaknesses Lots of hard plastics; no physical air-con controls; flawed driving position

The Mini Countryman makes good use of its boxy dimensions; its high roof gives even tall drivers plenty of head room, plus there's lots of leg and elbow room.

In addition to a cupholder for each front occupant, there's a lidded cubby and a few small trays each large enough to hold a phone. The door bins are quite big, too, but the armrest above means it can be a struggle to fit in a taller item, such as a big bottle of water.

As for the rear, there's enough leg room for a six-footer to stretch out when sitting behind someone of similar height. There’s also plenty of foot space under the front seats, and rear head room is generous – even with the optional panoramic glass sunroof fitted.

Meanwhile, a middle rear passenger gets a relatively comfy seat and doesn’t have much of a floor hump to straddle.

We'd recommend adding the Level 1 Pack if you're buying the Countryman C (it comes as standard on the S and JCW). That adds a sliding function for the rear seats, allowing you to prioritise knee room for rear passengers or boot space, depending on your needs. 

With the rear seats fully back, the Countryman has a 460-litre boot, which is officially bigger than the Volvo XC40's. However, we squeezed in just five carry-on suitcases, whereas the XC40 took seven and the VW Tiguan managed nine.

It doesn't help that the Countryman's load bay is long but reasonably shallow, and although there is some underfloor storage, you can’t lower the height of the floor as you can in many family SUVs. 

When you need to carry more, the rear seatbacks split and fold in a 40/20/40 configuration, which is more useful than the 60/40 layout in many rivals, because it means you can carry long, narrow items between two rear passengers.

Practicality overview

Strengths Rear bench slides and reclines on most versions; plenty of passenger space

Weaknesses Boot isn't particularly well shaped; high load lip

The starting price of the Mini Countryman C is slightly higher than that of entry-level versions of the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Karoq, but it undercuts any version of the VW Tiguan or Volvo XC40. 

Likewise, the high-performance Countryman JCW version is cheaper than a Ford Puma ST, but undercuts the Cupra Ateca and Formentor, while costing thousands less than a BMW X1 M35i or Mercedes-AMG GLA 35. 

Whichever version of the Countryman you choose, expect relatively slow depreciation. That's obviously a good thing if you're buying outright, but also helps if you're signing up to a PCP finance agreement, because it means lower monthly repayments than you might be expecting. 

If you're a company car driver, the Mini Countryman Electric is a much cheaper option than any of the petrols. However, the Countryman C is reasonably competitive on the BIK tax front, with CO2 emissions as low as 133g/km.

Entry-level Classic trim isn't too badly equipped because, on top of the infotainment and parking aids we've covered already, it comes with 17in alloy wheels, two-zone climate control, keyless start and cruise control. We reckon Exclusive trim is worth the extra, though, because it gets you bigger 18in alloys, some slightly more upmarket interior finishes, a heated steering wheel and a far more enticing palette of exterior paint colours to choose from.

If you're going to handover more money, we'd advise you to spend it on some of the useful option packs (simply named Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3).

As mentioned, Level 1 comes as standard on the more powerful S and JCW versions, but we'd recommend adding it to the Countryman C, because it adds a larger 54-litre fuel tank (an increase of nine litres), keyless entry, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and heated front seats.

Meanwhile, Level 2 gives you adaptive cruise control, rear privacy glass, a panoramic glass sunroof and a Harman Kardon sound system upgrade.

As you'd expect, Level 3 goes further still, with electrically adjustable front seats (with a massaging function) and an augmented reality view for the sat-nav. This pack pushes the Countryman's price into the territory of bigger and better SUVs, though.

In terms of safety equipment, every Countryman comes with automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assist, traffic-sign recognition and an emergency call function (e-Call). However, at the time of writing, Euro NCAP hasn't published a safety report, so we can't tell you anything about crash protection compared with rivals.

The latest Countryman is too new to have featured in our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey but Mini as a brand deserves praise for finishing third out of 32 manufacturers in that survey, behind only Lexus and Toyota.

Hopefully that means you won't need to call upon the three-year, unlimited mileage warranty. Three years is nothing special, with Kia offering seven years of cover and Toyota up to 10.

Costs overview

Strengths Fairly well equipped as standard; competitive entry price; strong predicted resale values

Weaknesses Optional extras can quickly drive up the price; no Euro NCAP score yet

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