The Mini Countryman has always flown outside the realm of more mainstream subcompact SUVs, with a distinctive look and funky style all its own. More upscale than popular models, if not quite as luxurious as alternatives from premium brands, the Countryman also carries a price tag closer to those of the latter than the former.
Related: 2023 Mini Cooper S Countryman Review: Untamed Melody
While the cost of entry may seem steep at first, a closer look at the Countryman’s interior quality and feel, as well as a generous feature set that includes some items not often found in a subcompact SUV, help justify its higher price. Add to that athletic handling to go along with its unique style, and a price closer to that of an Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA or even a larger mainstream model doesn’t look so bad.
Cars.com Senior Research Editor Damon Bell recently tested a 2023 all-wheel-drive Countryman in the middle Cooper S trim, which rang up at $45,250 with destination (a slight price change aside, not much changes for model-year 2024). While Bell found the lofty price tag makes more sense after extensive seat time with the Countryman, it isn’t exactly a slam dunk. Read his expert review by tapping the link above; for a quicker look, read on for five things we like about the Mini Cooper S Countryman and four things we do not.
Things We Like
1. Not Your Average Bear
Mini has always stood apart from its competitors not just with its own retro style, but with features and amenities not offered by more mainstream alternatives. Our Cooper S Countryman test vehicle came equipped with a dual-pane panoramic moonroof, LED headlights with cornering lights, illuminated exterior door handles and puddle lights that project a Mini logo when you open the door. Most mainstream models are available with few of any of these.
2. Customization Options
A part of what sets Mini apart is an almost endless variety of customization options, from Union Jack graphics to entire special appearance packages. Our Untamed Edition test vehicle added a number of extroverted elements, including two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out trim, olive-green leather seats with cloth inserts, two colors of contrast stitching, and signature logos that appear no fewer than 12 places inside and out.
3. Powertrains Aplenty
The Countryman is available with several means of motivation, including a standard 134-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter three cylinder gasoline engine and the 189-hp, turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in our Cooper S test vehicle. With its crisp-shifting automatic transmission, the 2.0-liter delivers respectably zippy performance for a small SUV. If that’s not enough, there’s also an available plug-in hybrid with 221 hp and the 301-hp John Cooper Works performance version.
4. Sporty Flavor
Lively acceleration and a raspy exhaust helped our Cooper S Countryman succeed in its mission as a sporty subcompact SUV. AWD models get an eight-speed automatic transmission in place of the standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and it delivers quick and positive shifts. Three driving modes enable tailoring of the adaptive suspension and powertrain for extra performance or economy, but expect a ride on the stiff side regardless of which setting you choose. That said, the Mini is a kick to drive, with athletic handling to match its peppy performance.
5. Cozy Cabin
The Countryman’s tidy dimensions result in relatively small door openings, but there’s adequate room for even taller people up front once inside. The front seats in our test vehicle were nicely detailed, supportive and comfortable, and they included a variety of adjustments like extendable leg supports as part of an option package. The rear seat isn’t as roomy, but there’s adequate room for passengers of average size. Also, the split rear seatbacks recline for extra legroom and can be slid forward or folded flat for extra cargo room.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Interior Oversights
Cabin storage is on the skimpy side, with an absence of small concealed bins for little things. Instead, there is an open bin at the rear of the center console that leaves these items in the open. Conversely, the wireless phone charging pad does get a hinged cover, which may be a more secure option but can be awkward to use. In back, rear-seat passengers don’t get a center fold-down armrest with cupholders as is often found in competitors, though there are bottle holders in the rear doors.
2. The Downside of Style
Quirky design elements help the Countryman stand out in a crowd and are part of its charm, but one side effect is that controls can take some getting used to. The large round center stack containing the infotainment screen is one example and has a lot of functions competing for space. The instrument cluster is also small and gives up some functionality for style. The head-up display is another matter; it seems like more of an afterthought as it uses a tinted plastic panel that rises from the dash and is small and hard to read.
3. Limited View
Another price of style is the upright and forward-mounted windshield that is a big part of the Mini’s distinctive profile. An unfortunate byproduct of the design is that the windshield is so far forward that the roof acts like a visor, making it hard to see stoplights overhead.
4. Steep Pricing
Our loaded Countryman was $45,250, which is a lot for a subcompact SUV. A loaded Mazda CX-5 or CX-50 with the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine is comfortably less than that, has up to 67 hp more, and is notably bigger and similarly upscale inside and out. If the Mini’s quirky styling and customizability aren’t must-haves, there are better deals elsewhere.
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