Skip advert
Advertisement

MINI Countryman

At last, we get behind wheel of Brit 4x4 on UK roads. Is it the new king of the crossover class?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your MINI Countryman
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

It’s far from mini, but the new Countryman is still undoubtedly a MINI – just with an added dose of practicality. The five-door is ideal for young families who are willing to sacrifice comfort for impressive on-road dynamics, and are looking for something sporty and stylish that can carry passengers and their bags with room to spare. The Countryman’s biggest problem is how much it costs. With a raft of cheaper rivals on the scene, its price tag may be a stumbling block for potential buyers who are not committed MINI fans.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The MINI 4x4 has finally hit UK roads. With a raised ride height, four doors and a usable boot, the new Countryman is no ordinary MINI. But can this controversial crossover move the brand up a notch, or is it a step too far?

We got behind the wheel of the range-topping, four-wheel-drive Cooper S ALL4 to find out. The good news is all the things that make the MINI so popular are present in the Countryman, from the quirky interior to the sporty driving experience and bold styling.

Video: watch our review of the Countryman from the launch in Germany

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69285","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

By trying to stay true to the design of the hatchback, the newcomer has ended up looking slightly awkward. It has been stretched and bloated in a way that makes the nose appear rather bulbous, although it’s smarter at the rear.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Countryman

2022 Mini

Countryman

27,984 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £23,100
View Countryman
Countryman

2020 Mini

Countryman

66,014 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £15,550
View Countryman
Countryman

2018 Mini

Countryman

51,200 milesManualDiesel2.0L

Cash £12,495
View Countryman
Countryman

2022 Mini

Countryman

47,562 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £15,700
View Countryman

Inside, there’s MINI’s trademark chrome toggle switches and huge central speedometer, plus the new Centre Rail which holds cups, sunglasses and phones.

The interior isn’t perfect, though. Some plastics in out-of-the-way places feel a little cheap for a model that starts at £22,030, and the aircraft-inspired handbrake lever takes some getting used to.

So, what about practicality? Our Countryman came in a 2+2 arrangement, which allows rear passengers to slide their seats back and forth to increase legroom or boot capacity as required.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With the seats all the way back, luggage capacity measures 350 litres, but fold the Countryman’s seats flat, and it has a generous 1,170-litre bay.

The sparkling MINI chassis gives the best handling in the class, although this model can’t quite match the agility or driver involvement of the standard hatch. It’s more comfortable, though. While the Countryman does still crash over potholes, it’s far easier to live with. Even so, there are better alternatives for buyers wanting a soft and refined driving experience.

Under our Cooper S’s bonnet is a 1.6-litre turbo engine, which sends 184bhp to all four wheels. The car accelerates hard off the line, sprinting from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds, and offers strong in-gear punch for overtaking.

But thanks to the firm’s MINIMALISM eco technology, the ALL4 model returns 42.2mpg combined fuel economy and emits 157g/km of CO2.

All this comes at a price, with our car costing a hefty £28,420. That does include the Chili Pack, which adds automatic air-con, bi-xenon headlights and foglamps. Even in standard trim, the Cooper S is £22,030, which is expensive when compared to rivals – the turbocharged 1.6-litre four-wheel-drive Juke starts from £19,595.

This hasn’t deterred loyal MINI fans, though, as the entire allocation of Countrymans for the UK in 2010 has already been sold. So the brand continues to grow!

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Mini Countryman

Mini Countryman

RRP £29,100Used from £4,490
Mini Aceman

Mini Aceman

RRP £28,905Used from £31,144
Mini Cooper

Mini Cooper

RRP £25,265Used from £28,386
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,695
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month
MG ZS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month

The MG ZS is an easy car to like and live with. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 July
News
3 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025