Overview

In case you’re considering trading your old MINI Countryman for a new one, a word of warning. It’s a significantly bigger vehicle that may not fit in your garage anymore. Thankfully, the sudden growth spurt hasn’t dampened its spirits too much, it proving to be one of the keenest cornering family SUVs you can buy.

Now, the Countryman is a truer rival for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. It offers a more spacious cabin, a larger boot, and a range of efficient powertrains, including a pure-electric option. There’s also a performance model, called the JCW. It serves up 300hp and brings a fresh challenge to the Cupra Ateca – and you can learn more about it in our dedicated MINI Countryman JCW review.

Despite setting its sights on some of the most popular family SUVs on the market, the Countryman will appeal to a more upmarket niche. Its interior can easily compete with the flash of the Mercedes GLA and Audi Q3 – and it’s arguably the most distinctive and interesting car in its class thanks to MINI’s unusual design and technology choices.

The Countryman range is split into three tiers. The standard car is available with MINI’s C and S engines, and they can be tickled with the company’s Classic, Exclusive or Sport exterior design packages.

Above these, there’s the JCW, which is only available in Sport trim, and the Electric Countryman, which you can specify in any of the three design packs. It’s worth highlighting that the JCW also features a more comprehensively upgraded amount of standard equipment, including a quad-exit exhaust and bigger brakes.

All feature alloy wheels, dual-zone climate controls, Vecsin artificial leather seats, an unusual knitted recycled textile interior finish, heated steering wheel, sat-nav, Android Auto, Apple Carplay and a host of passive and active safety equipment. Most of the Countryman’s options are bundled into packs – Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 – in order to make it easier to comply with WLTP fuel efficiency regulations.

To find out what we think of the Countryman, keep reading for our comprehensive review. How comprehensive? Find out more about how we test here.