2026 Mini Cooper Countryman Review: Can a Mini Also Truly Be an SUV?
It's cute, filled with lots of standard luxuries and comes with AWD. But is it truly a Mini Cooper? We found out!
Just looking at the Mini Cooper Countryman, priced from $39K to about $47K, makes me want to cozy up in a barn jacket and Wellies and head out on the road, happy to search for threads of sunshine between the clouds, cozy in its sport seats and modern vintage charm.
Tool along the highways and backroads, you’ll feel the “MINI” vibe in your hand and underfoot. The cabin feels open thanks to the low center console, the round touchscreen and the dashboard set back toward the windshield. The winged Mini badge on the steering wheel puts you squarely in the mindset of this iconic sporty hatchback.
It’s really not until you walk around to the rear and open the lift gate or climb into the back seat that you’re reminded: This is the big Mini, designed for families and drivers who need more space, who want an SUV with charm, or prefer a higher view of the road.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
A New Countryman For the Modern World
The Countryman was given a full makeover last year, adding heft and ground clearance to its charm factor. While it is defined by vintage-inspired details, from the large round touch screen to the customizable rear tail lights that let you ‘split’ the Union Jack so it illuminates on either side of the liftgate, it also features the modern things we need for the daily drive. The Mini Countryman is truly the brand’s first SUV.
Mini has flirted with SUVs since the Countryman debuted in 2010; however, it carried a lower ground clearance and all wheel drive was only optional, not standard. Those two details are corrected in the redesign of the current model.
And now, even with all the Mini earmarks, from contrast roof colors to a charm-filled interior to a John Cooper Works trim that adds a rally-like drive experience (keep reading for more on this top trim), the Countryman stands out as an SUV version of a Mini, rather than a Mini with some SUV-like characteristics.
This Interior Reminds You: You’re Driving a Mini
Mini takes everything it does very seriously. Thankfully. Though it’s BMW-owned, it’s also true to its British roots with design and functions that enhance the British racing vibe.
At the center of this is a command panel, a set of toggle buttons and dials just under the center screen; below it sat the gear shifter. But for the redesigned Countryman, these functions have been updated. Now, in addition to a starter toggle, there’s a toggle to select the drive gear, one labeled “experiences” where you’ll find drive modes, and there’s an actual knob to control the radio volume.
There’s no longer a lever shifter on the floor between the seats; that space has been redesigned with a minimalist yet accommodating appeal; there’s a box to hold a few things, cup holders and a wireless phone charge pad that holds your phone solidly in place.
The dashboard, which is offered in several treatments, uses light and textured fabric to create a graphic look and feel that can shift with illumination and color. This might be the one place I wasn’t quite as charmed; the texture of the dash felt unfinished. I’d rather see classic patterns or more finished surfaces that can withstand an exploding coffee or a wipe clean the dust of a Spring wind storm. But if you can get past that one detail, the rest of the cabin maintains the Mini charm.
The seating, however, felt great. Mini offers a choice of leatherette or leatherette and cloth in all Countryman models. Picking one might prove challenging, though; all the options look great and add to the modern vintage feel of Mini.
New Tech Sets The Tone In The Mini Cooper Countryman — Literally
The mission of the tech in the Countryman is to connect the entire cabin and add even more fun to the drive. So while the Experiences toggle sets your drive mode, it also sets the mood in the car. As you toggle through the experiences, you’ll see images pop up on the new 9.4” center screen and adjust the color of the ambient lighting. Drive, or experience, choices include Balance, Timeless, Vivid, Green and Go-Kart mode, which is essentially Sport mode.
The touch screen, which is round to mimic the original speedometer in Mini Coopers, is where you’ll find the rest of the usual features: climate, radio, vehicle settings, phone, Apple CarPlay and more. But if you don’t want to poke around the screen, you can simply say “Hey Mini” and the voice assistant will be there to help.
The center screen is also where you’ll find a lot of driver feedback, from fuel economy to speed and more. But there’s no need to take your eyes off the road to look at your speed; it’ll also display on the head up display, a small retractable screen that sits mid-dash in front of the driver. This is instead of a driver’s display and it helps to keep distractions down and eyes up.
What It’s Like to Drive the Mini Cooper Countryman
We drove the Mini Countryman John Cooper Works version, notable for its more powerful engine, 312 HP and sportier features like sport brakes and sport seats. Behind the wheel, it was easy to forget that I was driving the largest Mini on the road; it felt all Mini all the time, though the higher seating position did rob from the true Mini feel just a bit. Still, the steering is tight and the acceleration is quick and fun, and in Go-Kart mode, I felt I might just toss around rear seat passengers a bit too much (or, just enough for the right type of passenger).
I didn’t get a chance to try out the Countryman S, which produces 241 HP, a significantly lower amount of power compared to the top fo the line JCW. If I were going to fill this car with people and things, I’d seriously consider the JCW purely for the added power—though, the fun drive and sport features are a nice bonus. However, just tooling around town with my dog and my bike, the S edition would be fine.
What We Loved
There’s a lot to love in the new Mini Countryman; it starts with all you get for the price:
- The exterior design of the Countryman retains its classic look
- The vintage modern feel of the interior
- All wheel drive is standard
- So many premium features are included standard
- Design options are available on all models, so customizing the Countryman is easy
- Leatherette seating choices on all models
- The customizable tail lights are really fun and adorable
- Go-Kart mode
- Tons of cargo space
- A roomy rear seat that’s perfectly suited for kids car seats, even rear facing seats
- It’s an SUV!
What You Need to Know
There are caveats of course:
- All Mini Countryman models require premium fuel
- The less powerful engine may struggle when this car is filled to the roof with people and gear
- The size and scale of the Countryman may not feel quite as authentic to true Mini aficionados
- It’s an SUV
What This Car Costs
Mini did a nice job of pricing the so that it ranges from affordable to premium and still incorporates a lot of luxuries. Here’s how pricing breaks down:
- Countryman S AWD is powered by a 4-cylinder engine that produces 241 HP and is priced from $38,900; it comes standard with 18” or 19” wheels, the 9.4” center touchscreen display, driver assistance features, a center console box, gloss black accents, a choice of cloth and leatherette interiors, a black dash cover with blue undertones, sport seats, a choice of 9 paint colors, a contrast roof option, keyless entry, wireless phone charger, drive modes, heated front seats, head up display, LED headlights with cornering lights, navigation, a panoramic sunroof, remote engine start and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Upgrade to “Favoured Style” interior for $1,000 and add John Cooper Works seats, an additional choice of 20” wheels, dash cover options in blue with brown undertones or grey/beige herringbone and a trailer hitch receiver and additional interior options
- Upgrade to the JCW Style for $1,400 and add a John Cooper Works steering wheel with paddle shifters, an area body kit, and exclusive JCW interior, sport seats, brakes and wheels
- The Countryman John Cooper Works, priced from $46,900, adds turbo power, produces 312 HP, has advanced auto-adjusting suspension, a Harman Kardon sound system, a choice of interiors and a power tailgate
- Add the Comfort Package Plus with parking assistance and augmented reality navigation for $1500
- The Add the Comfort Package Max adds driver assistance to level 2 hands-free driving for $2,400
- Both packages can be added to the Countryman S for $3,400 with the Iconic Trim
- The Mini Countryman SE AWD is an all electric dual motor EV that produces 308 HP and is priced from $45,200
We’re increasingly living in a world where automotive brands are becoming more interesting by the day; buyers don’t have to settle for boring cars, or plain cars, or cars that look like every other car on the road.
But it can still be difficult to find a personal expression that’s built on an assembly line and comes with well-engineered and reliably built systems and delivers on the things we want and skips those we don’t. Which is what makes the Mini Cooper Countryman all the more fun and fancy; even with all the modern tech and new designs, this mini-SUV still maintains its charm and delight.
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