2021 MINI Countryman Review

　　

2021 Mini Countryman Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　The 2021 Countryman is the largest vehicle in Mini's lineup. But, as with all things Mini, that's a relative term — the Countryman is about the same size as other automakers' smallest SUVs. The upside to its small size is its nimble nature; the Countryman is more entertaining to drive than plenty of other SUVs. It's also stylish, with lots of retro touches that hark back to classic Mini Coopers.

　　Mini has given the Countryman a number of rolling updates since this newest generation debuted for the 2017 model year. For 2021, the Countryman gets revised exterior styling, a newly available digital gauge cluster and new special Oxford Edition trim. Most of the rest carries over, including the sporty John Cooper Works edition and the Countryman SE Hybrid plug-in hybrid.

　　The Countryman occupies an unusual place in the market. It's priced higher than other SUVs its size, such as the Buick Encore GX and Hyundai Kona, but in return it has a more upscale interior and greater performance potential. You might also consider the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLB; they're roomier and more luxurious but also more expensive. We do suggest shopping around to learn what style of SUV fits your needs best, but overall the Countryman should easily satisfy.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar spent a year with a 2018 Mini Countryman SE Hybrid. While the Countryman has received a number of updates since our test ended, most of our impressions and observations still hold true. We found the Countryman to be quick and relatively fun to drive, though as a whole it left us wanting a little more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Countryman drive? The Cooper S version, which is what we tested, accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 7.1 seconds. Our biggest gripe with the Countryman's acceleration is the engine's lazy response when pulling away from a stop. Once underway, the turbocharged engine is punchy around town and helpful getting up to highway speeds quickly.  The Countryman's brakes provide solid stopping power for panic braking but are occasionally grabby and abrupt in slow-moving traffic.

　　As you would expect, the best part of the Mini Countryman's driving experience is in the way it handles a twisty road. The steering is accurate and gives you a decent feel of the road. Overall, the Countryman is fun and can easily cruise down a back road quicker than most everything else in the class.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Countryman? If you're at all familiar with the Mini driving experience, the somewhat firm ride will likely go unnoticed. But buyers new to a Mini might find the ride bordering on stiff. The front seats feel firm and a bit confining at first but ultimately offer good support over longer distances.

　　Road noise is commendably low, but the Countryman's near vertical windshield and frameless side windows create noticeable wind noise. Engine and exhaust sounds are nicely subdued and only enter the cabin when you're driving more aggressively.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The overall layout of the Countryman's interior has not changed in quite some time. It's distinctive-looking, including the limited instrumentation and chrome toggle switches. The controls are easy to figure out, and the knob for the infotainment system helps you quickly navigate most of the high-level functions.

　　Thanks to the Countryman's raised ride height, getting in and out is fairly easy and is helped by the short-length front and rear doors. Inside, all passengers will enjoy more room than you might expect given the profile view of the Countryman. Only rear visibility falls a bit short of what we expect in this class.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Countryman's long and narrow infotainment screen (a sacrifice to the Mini's interior style) looks a bit small alongside some of its competition, but crisp graphics and good contrast make it easy to read. Far less impressive is the lack of Android Auto compatibility. Apple CarPlay is here, but Android phone users will need to make do with a simple Bluetooth connection. On the flip side, the Harman Kardon audio system makes good use of the Countryman's cabin and provides clean sound with ample power.

　　Front and rear seat passengers should bring USB-C cables or adapters because the Countryman uses them exclusively, with two ports in the front and two in the back.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Countryman might be the biggest Mini but it's far from the most practical vehicle in its class. With a modest 17.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the Countryman trails competitors such as the Audi Q3 (23.7 cubes) and Mercedes-Benz GLB (22 cubes). The Mini does have 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, but the seatback releases are only accessible from the rear passenger doors, not the cargo area.

　　Up front, the Countryman offers a fair amount of nicely sized storage bins. Sunglasses, phones and other small items will all have a home. The door pockets aren't cavernous but add to the practicality.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? We tested the Mini Countryman S with all-wheel drive, and that model gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined. That's slightly better than the class average. Over our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, our test vehicle managed a 28.8 mpg, indicating the EPA's estimates are accurate. Premium fuel is recommended.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Countryman a good value? The Countryman is typically priced higher than small SUVs such as the Buick Trailblazer and Mazda CX-30 but less than luxury models like the Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLB. It's an interesting middle ground, and overall we think it's worth the price considering the car's performance and personality.

　　Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties are for four years/50,000 miles, which is standard for the class. Roadside assistance lasts four years with unlimited miles, and free maintenance is a helpful three years/36,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　If you prioritize driving fun and like Mini's distinctive styling, the Countryman will not disappoint. Even with the Countryman's extra size and heft, it remains true to the sporty, fun nature of other Minis. The Countryman is always up for a good time, and you'll likely wind up driving up on-ramps and down good roads a little quicker without even noticing. It might not be the most practical vehicle in this class, but it's fun and engaging.

　　

Which Countryman does zzdcar recommend?

The sweet spot of the Countryman range is the midlevel Cooper S model in Signature trim. The base Countryman is underpowered, and the John Cooper Works has an overly firm ride.

　　

2021 MINI Countryman models

The 2021 Mini Countryman is available in four basic variants: Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper SE Hybrid. From there, you can pick from three trim levels: Classic, Signature and Iconic, each with an increasing level of features. The Countryman uses a variety of powertrains, too, depending on the variant.

　　Cooper

　　The base Countryman Cooper is powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (134 horsepower, 162 lb-ft of torque). It's paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. The all-wheel-drive Cooper ALL4 swaps in an eight-speed automatic.

　　Cooper S

　　The Cooper S adds an extra cylinder, using a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (189 hp, 207 lb-ft), again paired with either a dual-clutch automatic or an eight-speed automatic depending on if it's front- or all-wheel drive.

　　John Cooper Works

　　The Countryman JCW is the sportiest model in the lineup and uses Mini's most powerful engine, a turbocharged four-cylinder making 301 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are standard. Other enhancements include:

　　Sport-tuned suspension 18-inch JCW-style wheels Unique styling Rear spoiler Upgraded seatsCooper SE Hybrid

　　The Cooper SE Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid that can go an EPA-estimated 18 miles on just electricity, with a full charge. A three-cylinder engine drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission while an electric motor powered by a rechargeable 9.6-kWh battery pack drives the rear, meaning the SE Hybrid has standard all-wheel drive. Combined, the system makes 221 hp.

　　From here there are three trims available: Classic, Signature and Iconic. Note that the following features might vary slightly depending on the model.

　　Classic

　　Standard features include:

　　17-inch wheels LED headlights, taillights and foglights Simulated leather upholstery An 8.8-inch touchscreen display Keyless ignition Heated mirrors Panoramic sunroof Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that might not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)Options include:

　　Heated front seats Storage package Folding cargo floor for more storage Two additional USB-C ports for rear passengers Oxford Edition 18-inch wheels Dark headliner Heated front seats Dual-zone automatic climate control Signature

　　Stepping up to the Signature adds:

　　Power liftgate Heated seats Keyless entry Dual-zone automatic climate control Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Navigation Apple CarPlay Wireless charging Voice controlsOptions on the Signature include:

　　Driver Assistance package Front parking sensors Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Mini and a vehicle in front) Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Signature Upholstery package Leather seating Upgraded interior trim Premium package Power-folding mirrors Auto-dimming interior mirror Harman Kardon audio system Satellite radio Power-adjustable front seats Iconic

　　The top-level Iconic builds on the Signature with:

　　19-inch wheels Leather upholstery

　　

2021 Countryman Highlights

Type: WagonPlug-in HybridJohn Cooper Works ALL4Wagon

　　Trim: Cooper OxfordCooperCooper Oxford ALL4Cooper ALL4Cooper SCooper S ALL4Cooper S E ALL4John Cooper Works ALL4Cooper Oxford

　　

Base MSRP	$29,100
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$162/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles