MINI Countryman review: Does bigger = better?

This is the new MINI Countryman!

It’s the largest MINI you can buy, and Mat’s about to see if this SUV-like MINI can compete with other crossovers such as the Audi Q2 or BMW X1!

For starters, let’s check out the design. This car is distinctly a MINI from whatever angle you look at it. From the front, the car looks much more modern compared to the previous edition, and with the JCW edition we have here, there are a couple of chequered flag motifs as well as several JCW badges. Along the side alloy wheels go up to 20-inches, and being a MINI there’s lots of customisation available, such as the option to go for two-tone paint. At the back, nothing notably stands out, although this JCW edition does come with an integrated spoiler and quad tailpipes!

On the inside, the revised Countryman interior is seriously nice. The main feature is a new large circular infotainment screen in the centre of the dash, which is super bright and colourful. Unfortunately, though, the system can be a little bit laggy. There are a few physical buttons and toggle switches set underneath the screen, although most functionality is managed through the touchscreen. Fabric materials adorn the doors and dash, while there’s also a small heads-up display available.

There are several different engines available. The range starts with a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol that can deliver 170hp and comes with front-wheel drive. There’s also a 2-litre turbo petrol, which in the S delivers 218hp, and in the JCW puts down 300hp. Both these editions come with all-wheel drive. There are also two electric editions to choose from. The single motor can put down 201hp, while the dual motor edition delivers 302hp.

The Countryman range starts from around £30,000, rising to around £45,000 for the JCW edition. But is it worth it? Stick with Mat to see for yourself!

Chapters
00:00 Lights
00:40 Design
01:43 Price
02:03 Interior
04:34 Back Seats
06:28 Boot
07:54 Annoying Features
09:39 Good Features
12:29 Engines
13:25 Town Driving
15:09 Motorway Driving
16:05 Country Road Driving
16:58 0-60mph
17:25 Verdict

[lptomtom]

The AC controls are dangerous at this point, I can't believe this is legal

[noel]

those false pops and bangs are revolting LOL

[paulstark]

who absolutely hates the digital climate control?

[macsloc]

Suzuki Swift + Random SsanYong = new Mini Countryman :)

[captain_context]

Look closely at 0:22 Just look how THICK this Mini is compared to that other car that it meets. Minis are HUGE now.

[maws]

Definitely "Mini" by American standards

[nnnn]

That dashboard fabric material looks like a rip off from Dacia... Why does this interior looks SOOO cheap? This car is very expensive. Too expensive for that.

[frostyyy]

“It’s a quirky, useful interior” that’s a bit of an overstatement right there tbh

[michelbruns]

he always says "its a bit laggy" shows the screen being perfectly fluid, and other times "its super fluid and fast" and shows the screen reacting with a 3 sec delay or similar

[cabottaxi]

Far too big. Should have called it the Maxi. £45, 700 for a JCW mini is just plain mad.

[strollingwithsi]

I never thought I'd hear a car reviewer say "it really gets quite jizzy" when talking about the rear window washer, but here we are!

[sooofancier]

This car represents everything wrong with cars today.

[UltiMogr]

big minis and small suvs. people have gone mad. Bring back the sedans!!

[everysecondaway]

Props to the cameraman for keeping up with Mat's ridiculous dance moves inside the car 😆

[CoachDanDynasty]

Had the Countryman S for a week now and love it, the extra horsepower, is great, extra and practical space added and an infusion of technology, there is a learning curve but love this ride. Previously had the 20 & 22 Countryman, 25 is the best yet!

[scottemac]

How pathetic that anyone would want to delude themselves by having fake pops n bangs. Plus it sounds more like popcorn than a sporty engine note

[Cam_Wight]

New Minis feel so cheap inside, and look so Chinese on the outside. Sad to see

[gabrielmako]

Having driven one as a loaner while my last gen JCW countryman was getting worked on, this car is awful. It's been completely immasculated. My Mini now is unfortunately the last Mini I will own.

[davidpalin]

It looks cheaper than the previous model 😢

[o_o-_-]

I have the previous generation Countryman and let me tell you that it feels and it’s much better than this one.
The old one feels much more robust and solid, it has also many more refined Interior materials, the door sound solid when closing and the gearbox being a torque converter one is smooth and reliable, it is a composed car for being an suv and very very spacious for its size. The new Countryman feels cheap, it’s really too big to replace the previous gen, it’s missing physical controls, better materials, sound insulation and perhaps a powerful but economical Diesel or a hybrid because those petrol are damn thirsty!
Also Matt do you really think that those pops and bangs sounds any good? To me they sound like someone farting in a can. 😂