2019 MINI Countryman Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　

What's new

Revamped trim structureAltered standard and optional equipment availabilityPart of the second Countryman generation introduced for 2017

　　Small crossovers are everywhere these days, and most perform the duties expected of them. But how many go above and beyond? The 2019 Mini Countryman does just that. Take one look at it and you'll see those classic Mini design elements that help it stand out from the crowd. Inside, the cabin looks like a slightly more upscale version of the one in the Mini Hardtop, a car already renowned for having arguably the nicest interior in the subcompact class. Driven enthusiastically around turns, the Countryman lives up to its heritage and is more entertaining to drive than other subcompact crossovers.

　　Unfortunately, it carries a premium price tag to match its premium luxuries and handling dynamics. Nor is it as roomy as other crossovers you might potentially cross-shop it against. Overall, though, we think the Countryman's a great choice if you're looking for something more upscale than the typical fare.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Mini Countryman Cooper S E Hybrid as one of zzdcar' Best Hybrid SUVs for this year.

　　

What's it like to live with?

Thinking about adding a Mini Countryman to your garage? Our team of experts tested a Countryman S E Hybrid for one year, logging more than 14,000 miles of real-world driving experience over the course of our test. As expected, the Countryman provided unique handling for a small crossover SUV. But its all-electric range left much to be desired, and there were differing opinions about whether the Mini lived up to its lofty price tag. Read through our Best Hybrid SUVs to see whether the Countryman deserves a spot in your driveway.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.7 / 10

　　In many ways, the 2019 Mini Countryman sets the bar for how good a subcompact crossover SUV can be. The Countryman's interior is chock-full of quality materials, and its sharp handling makes it fun to drive. Its high price is the only major downside.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Mini Countryman Cooper S (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 6-speed manual | AWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current Mini Countryman has received some revisions, including a revamped trim structure in 2019. Our findings remain applicable to this year's Mini Countryman, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.7 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	6.5
Interior	7.0
Utility	7.0
Technology	8.5

　　

Driving

8.0

　　The Countryman Cooper S is more entertaining to drive than most traditional compact crossovers, but it's not as quick as luxury alternatives such as the BMW X1. It splits the difference between these two groups in most other performance-related areas as well.

　　

Acceleration

7.0

　　Even though this is the sporty Cooper S model, the Countryman feels sluggish at partial throttle in Green and Mid driving modes. It's not until you select Sport that it feels like it's got some pep. We achieved a decent 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds; the S E took just 6.4 seconds.

　　

Braking

7.0

　　Brake pedal has a light to moderate amount of resistance, with good initial bite. It's not grabby, however. It came to a halt from 60 mph in 117 feet, average against standard crossovers. The hybrid's 140-foot result is embarrassing. And its grabby brakes make it impossible to stop smoothly.

　　

Steering

8.5

　　True to Mini's sporting intentions, steering effort is a little heavier than in competitors. The car responds reasonably quickly, but directional changes are more immediate in Sport mode. It's stable at highway speeds, and you don't need to make corrections to keep the car tracking straight.

　　

Handling

8.5

　　The Countryman is more fun to zip around turns than most other cars in this class, but it's best to think of it as a sporty alternative to small crossovers and wagons rather than a large Mini. It doesn't quite live up to those expectations. Feels as if there's more body roll than in a Mazda CX-5.

　　

Drivability

8.0

　　The clutch is easy to operate, with a catch point just off the floor, so you barely have to ease up before forward movement ensues. The clutch pedal isn't heavy either. The shifter throws are a little long and rubbery, but it's easy to find the right gate.

　　

Comfort

6.5

　　The Countryman exhibits a degree of comfort that is surprising given Mini's sporting reputation. The ride is rarely choppy, and the cabin is fairly quiet. But the aggressively bolstered front seats and heat-trapping upholstery are major drawbacks.

　　

Seat comfort

5.5

　　The side bolsters on these seats are thick and keep you in place during hard cornering. But the seatback and bottom are narrow, forcing you to rest your legs on the thigh bolsters. Many people will find them too confining. Non-sport seats are only available on the base Cooper and hybrid.

　　

Ride comfort

7.5

　　The ride is surprisingly comfortable, even with large 18-inch wheels and run-flat tires. It feels a bit livelier than some competitors, but it's supple by Mini standards.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.0

　　There's not much wind noise, and even tire noise is reasonably quelled. The sunroof covers rattle if they're closed and you hit a bump, but move them slightly out of place and that issue will disappear. The auto stop-start system sends a shudder through the cabin when the engine kicks on.

　　

Climate control

6.5

　　Auto climate control has to work hard to cool the cabin and counteract heat radiating from the panoramic sunroof on a hot day. Temperature adjustments are in 2-degree increments. Seats don't breathe well, but the cloth-faux leather coverings may still be better than non-cloth seats in warm climes.

　　

Interior

7.0

　　The Countryman boasts a sense of roominess you won't find in other Minis, and we like thoughtful touches such as an instrument panel that moves with the steering wheel and folding rear headrests. But there are some ergonomic issues, including an awkwardly located seatback tilt lever and lumbar knob.

　　

Ease of use

6.5

　　Most things up front are easy to reach, from the toggle switches to the infotainment system controller. The awkward lumbar knob, on the inboard side of the seatback, is an exception. The door-mounted armrests are at a perfect length, but there's no rear center armrest.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.0

　　The Countryman has a step-in height that's slightly taller than that of high-riding hatchbacks such as the Mercedes GLA and BMW X1, so you don't fall into the seat when you enter. That said, entry and exit aren't quite effortless because the large seat bolsters can get in the way.

　　

Driving position

7.5

　　The front seats allow plenty of fore, aft and height travel, ensuring drivers of any size will be able to find a good position. Eventually, that is. The headrests are angled too far forward and the clutch pedal travel is long, making it difficult to find a comfortable setup initially.

　　

Roominess

7.0

　　There's an abundance of headroom up front, even with the panoramic sunroof. Shoulder room is lacking due to the aforementioned seat bolsters. There's decent legroom and headroom in the back, and the front seatback is sculpted for extra kneeroom.

　　

Visibility

9.0

　　All windows are tall and wide, and there's even a large window in the rear three-quarters portion to minimize blind spots. A standard rearview camera is nice but unnecessary given the ample window openings. The bump on the hood makes it tough to figure out where the right side of the car is.

　　

Quality

9.5

　　Inspired interior design and high build quality elevate the Countryman above the usual selection of compact crossovers and even give the luxury brands a run for the money. The molded plastic on the upper door panels, a soft-touch surface on the dash, and cloth on the door make it feel premium.

　　

Utility

7.0

　　While the cargo area is a bit small for the class, the floor sits well below the top of the back seat, so you can load tall items without encroaching on rear visibility. There are limited storage solutions for those in the back because there's no armrest or flip-out tray behind the center console.

　　

Small-item storage

7.5

　　All the doors have large cutouts, and each one is split into two sections. Both sections will hold a bottle of water. There's a small tray in front of the shifter and a bin under the armrest for front occupants. There's no fold-down center armrest in the back, which would normally house a tray.

　　

Cargo space

6.0

　　The cargo area is wide and boxy, with a liftover height that's a couple inches lower than in a typical crossover. It measures 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubes with them folded; both figures are small for the class. The S E's charging-cable case is kept in the cargo area, reducing space.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

　　There are four LATCH anchors, two on each of the outboard seats. They are easily accessed and located under clearly marked flip-up covers. There's one tether on the back of each portion of the 40/20/40-split rear seats. You'll have to pop the cargo door or remove the cargo cover to access them.

　　

Technology

8.5

　　The newest version of Mini's user interface is attractive but seems to be a bit more cumbersome to use than in previous iterations. The maps, however, are less cluttered than before. Voice controls work well, with natural voice commands. Many advanced safety features are available.

　　

Audio & navigation

7.5

　　The Countryman's central display screen has touchscreen functionality. Because there's so much iconography, at least from the main screen, you're better off using the controller. The menus' horizontal buttons further make the case for the controller.

　　

Smartphone integration

7.0

　　There are two USB ports in the front but none in the back. Apple CarPlay is offered, though you have to upgrade to at least the Signature model with the navigation package to get it. Android Auto is notably absent. Some apps, such as Spotify and Pandora, are accessible through audio menus.

　　

Driver aids

8.0

　　A rearview camera and rear parking sensors are standard on all models. Our tester was also equipped with front sensors and a larger central screen, among other aids. Park too closely to an object in front and the sensor issues a loud alert even if you're not in gear.

　　

Voice control

9.5

　　The voice controls are excellent. The system recognizes natural speech rather than forcing the user to travel down a path of predetermined phrases. The navigation function can redirect to a similar house number if it can't find yours in the system. Siri Eyes Free is available for iPhone users.

　　

Which Countryman does zzdcar recommend?

　　The Countryman is already more expensive than most rivals, but we recommend skipping the anemic three-cylinder in the base Cooper and immediately upgrading to the punchy inline-four in the Cooper S. The thrifty Classic trim comes loaded with features, but its skimpy options list doesn't give the Countryman the custom feel that Mini once cultivated. With that in mind, choose the Signature level, not only for its desirable features but also the more expansive paint palette and additional optional extras.

　　

2019 MINI Countryman models

　　The 2019 Mini Countryman is a sporty, fun alternative to the standard set of small crossovers and wagons. The Countryman earns the premium price tag it carries by offering a healthy list of standard features, while a plethora of available options allows buyers to customize the Countryman to their heart's content. All four models — Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E — have similar feature content but are differentiated by the engines underhood. From there, buyers choose between three trim levels (Classic, Signature and Iconic) with an increasing number of features.

　　Powering the Classic front-wheel-drive Cooper is a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (134 horsepower, 162 pound-feet of torque) matched to your choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. On the all-wheel-drive Countryman All4, the automatic transmission has eight speeds.

　　You get a lot of features with the Countryman, including 17-inch wheels, summer performance run-flat tires, automatic headlights, foglights, automatic wipers, heated mirrors, a heated windshield wiper system, roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, push-button ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, height-adjustable front seats, 40/20/40-split rear seats, simulated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch display screen, and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port.

　　Our pick is the next-level Cooper S. It has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (189 hp, 207 lb-ft) mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also gets 18-inch wheels, front sport seats and additional stability control choices. A six-speed manual is standard with all-wheel-drive models, with the eight-speed auto optional.

　　As opposed to the Cooper and Cooper S, all-wheel drive is standard on the next two models. The John Cooper Works trim adds an even more powerful version of the turbocharged four-cylinder (228 hp, 258 lb-ft). The manual is standard and the eight-speed auto is optional. Additional features include LED headlights, cornering lights, aerodynamic modifications, a rear spoiler, a sport-tuned suspension, keyless entry, aggressively bolstered front seats, cloth and faux suede upholstery, wheel-mounted shift paddles and selectable driving modes.

　　The Cooper S E is quite different from the rest of the lineup. Up front is the Cooper's turbocharged three-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. In back, and driving the rear wheels, is an electric motor powered by a rechargeable 7.6-kWh battery pack. Mini says total combined output for the S E is 221 hp and 284 lb-ft. The EPA-estimated all-electric driving range is 12 miles. The Cooper S E's feature content is identical to that of the Cooper S, though selectable driving modes are standard.

　　Features added by the Signature trim differ slightly depending on model, but generally, it adds keyless entry, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam control and touchscreen functionality. Cooper models get 18-inch wheels, while Cooper S and JCW versions get adaptive dampers and selectable driving modes. Choosing the Signature trim also opens the door to additional paint choices, interior dashboard appliques and upholstery choices.

　　The Signature's Premium package further adds power-folding mirrors, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, chrome exterior trim, LED headlights, cornering lights, satellite radio and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

　　The Iconic trim includes those upgrades, plus a power liftgate, power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, a navigation system and an 8.8-inch touchscreen. Cooper and Cooper S models get a choice of several 18- and 19-inch wheel designs, while JCW models get 19- or 20-inch wheels.

　　Some of the above options can be ordered separately. Additional stand-alone options include exterior and interior styling modifications, all-season tires and tinted windows.

　　

2019 Countryman Highlights

Type: WagonPlug-in HybridJohn Cooper Works ALL4Wagon

　　Trim: CooperCooper ALL4Cooper SCooper S ALL4Cooper S E ALL4John Cooper Works ALL4Cooper

　　

Base MSRP	$26,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$168/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles