2023 MINI Countryman

　　

2023 MINI Countryman Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　, rating written byReese CountsSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The 2023 Mini Countryman is a stylish compact crossover that's simultaneously the British automaker's largest model and one of the smallest SUVs on the road today. The Countryman's small size does make it less practical than most other SUVs, but in return you get an SUV that's easier to park and maneuver. It's also distinctive inside and out and fun to drive thanks to nimble handling and quick acceleration from the Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions.

　　Mini also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the Countryman called the SE All4. It provides a short amount of all-electric range — about 17 miles. After that, it switches to typical hybrid operation. It's a neat idea in theory but 17 miles isn't much for a plug-in these days. Plus, once the battery runs out, the SE All4 gets about the same fuel economy as the Cooper S even though it's a hybrid.

　　The Countryman gets a new special edition for 2023, the so-called Untamed Edition. Like the Resolute Edition and Untold Edition packages available for the Cooper Hardtop and Cooper Clubman, respectively, the Countryman Untamed Edition adds more visual flair to an already stylish vehicle. Also know that Mini stopped offering the base Countryman Cooper, the one with the three-cylinder engine, midway through the 2023 model year as well as the base Classic trim level.

　　We like the Countryman but its appeal mostly comes down to being different rather than being great. The Buick Encore GX, Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos are more well-rounded picks for an extra-small crossover. For more info on the Mini Countryman, check out our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below