About the MINI Countryman

The MINI Countryman joined the MINI Cooper lineup as a 2011 model and was first fully redesigned for the 2017 model year. The MINI Countryman is still available in its second generation, with regular refreshes along the way to keep up with technology standards. Competitors include the Mazda CX-3 and the newer Mazda CX-30, Kia Soul, Volkswagen Taos, and BMW X1.

What are the advantages of the MINI Countryman?

Fun to drive
Stylish design
Available all-wheel drive

What is the best MINI Countryman model year?

That depends what you’re looking for. The second generation, introduced for 2017, kicked off a fresher and more modern version of the Countryman. For 2018, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain was added to the lineup and Apple CarPlay became available, but spirited drivers should keep in mind the manual transmission was discontinued in 2020.

What are the disadvantages of the MINI Countryman?

Expensive
Not as much cargo space as rivals
Focuses more on style than substance

Comparison: Is the MINI Countryman better than the BMW X1?

The MINI Countryman is a better choice in terms of styling and delivers on its promise to stand out from the crowd. However, the BMW X1 is more practical and just as sporty, especially if the MINI’s available manual transmission is not a priority for the buyer. The BMW also has more cargo space and a more powerful base engine.

Is the MINI Countryman a reliable car?

The MINI Countryman, particularly more recent model years, tend to earn good predicted reliability scores from J.D. Power.

Is the MINI Countryman worth the cost?

Yes. It’s a good car overall, even if it’s a little more expensive than its competitors. There are many more affordable and more practical rivals, but the MINI brand is built on personality, and that means the MINI Countryman comes at a slight premium.