MINI Countryman review
The MINI Countryman is a stylish, fun-to-drive family SUV that offers all the charm of a MINI in a much more practical package.
Author: Charlie Harvey
16th Jan 2026 – 9 mins read
When MINI decided to build an SUV, a few eyebrows were raised. After all, this is a brand famous for its small cars. But the Countryman, first launched in 2010, quickly proved that a bigger MINI could be a brilliant idea. It was the first MINI that could truly work as a family car, offering five doors, decent practicality, and that trademark fun-to-drive feel. The second-generation model, which arrived in 2017, is the biggest MINI ever made, and it’s even more versatile. It keeps all the charming and quirky styling that people love, but wraps it around a spacious and high-quality interior. It’s a car that manages to be both a sensible family SUV and a genuinely fun and desirable car to own. If you love the MINI style but need more space, the Countryman is the perfect solution.
Pros
- Iconic MINI styling in a larger, more practical body
- Great fun to drive, with sharp and agile handling
- A fantastic option for families who need more space
Cons
- It’s quite expensive compared to other family SUVs
- It's not quite as practical as some more conventional rivals
- The plug-in hybrid model has a small fuel tank
Interior
Dashboard & tech
Step inside the Countryman and you’re greeted by a cabin that’s pure MINI. The design is dominated by the large, circular display in the centre of the dashboard, a modern take on the classic Mini’s central speedometer. It’s one of the funkiest and most stylish interiors in its class, complete with chunky toggle switches that are a joy to use.
The quality is excellent, with lots of premium-feeling materials that give the cabin a genuinely upmarket feel. It feels solid and durable, which is ideal for a car aimed at families. The central screen controls the infotainment system, which is based on BMW’s excellent iDrive and is very easy to use.
Comfort
The Countryman does a great job of blending MINI’s trademark sporty feel with the comfort you need in a family car. The ride is well-judged, soaking up most bumps and potholes without feeling too harsh. It’s a car that feels comfortable and composed on the motorway, making it a great choice for long family road trips.
The driving position is great, and the seats are comfortable and supportive. For a car that handles so well, it’s impressively comfortable. The only slight downside is that the switch between electric and petrol power in the plug-in hybrid model could be a little smoother.
Quality
The Countryman feels like a premium product through and through. The materials used in the cabin are high-quality, and everything feels like it has been screwed together with real care. It has the same solid, well-built feel as other cars from the BMW Group.
MINI’s reputation for reliability is about average, but the latest Countryman feels like a robust and dependable car. It’s a cabin that not only looks great but also feels like it will easily stand up to the rigours of family life.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
MINIs are not known for being spacious, but the Countryman is the car that breaks the mould. It’s the most practical car the brand makes, with plenty of room for a family. There's good space for passengers in the front and back, with enough legroom and headroom for adults to get comfortable on longer journeys.
The high roofline means headroom is generous, and the five-door layout makes getting in and out a breeze. Fitting a child seat is easy, and the cabin is full of useful storage spaces. It’s a genuinely practical family car that just happens to have a MINI badge on the bonnet.
Boot space
The Countryman has a good-sized boot that’s more than capable of handling family life. It offers 450 litres of space, which is on par with many family hatchbacks. It’s plenty big enough for a pushchair, the weekly shop, or luggage for a family holiday.
In the plug-in hybrid model, the boot is slightly smaller at 405 litres to make room for the batteries, but it’s still a very usable size. The rear seats also fold down to open up a much larger load area when you need to carry bulkier items.
Driving
Driving experience
One of the best things about the Countryman is that it drives like a proper MINI. It feels fun, agile, and engaging from behind the wheel, which is a rare treat in the family SUV class. The steering is sharp and direct, and it handles corners with very little body lean, making it feel stable and secure.
Even the plug-in hybrid version is great fun to drive, despite the extra weight of its batteries. It’s a car that will put a smile on your face, whether you’re on a twisty B-road or just doing the school run. It successfully combines the practicality of an SUV with the driving fun of a hot hatch.
Performance
There’s a great range of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engines to choose from. The petrol range starts with the 1.5-litre ‘Cooper’ and moves up to the powerful 2.0-litre ‘Cooper S’. The diesels are great for high-mileage drivers, available in Cooper D and Cooper SD form.
The plug-in hybrid, badged Cooper S E, is a fantastic option. It combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce a punchy 221bhp. It’s quick, with a 0-60mph time of just 6.6 seconds, and offers four-wheel drive for extra traction. For ultimate performance, there's the hot-hatch-on-stilts John Cooper Works model.
Running costs
Fuel economy & charging
The plug-in hybrid is the star of the show for low running costs. It has an official electric-only range of up to 26 miles, which is perfect for doing the school run or a short commute without using any petrol. To get the best economy, you'll need to charge it regularly. A full charge takes around three hours from a standard home socket.
The conventional petrol and diesel engines are also efficient. For those who can’t charge at home, the diesel models are the most economical choice for long-distance drivers. The plug-in hybrid is also a great option for company car drivers thanks to its low CO2 emissions.
Value for money
A MINI Countryman isn’t a cheap car. It’s a premium product, and it’s priced accordingly. The plug-in hybrid model is particularly expensive. However, you do get a high-quality, stylish, and desirable car for your money. Demand for the Countryman is high, which means it holds its value very well. This is great news for owners as it means you’ll get more of your money back when you come to sell it.
Reliability & Warranty
Modern MINIs, which are built by BMW, have a decent reputation for reliability. The Countryman feels like a solid and well-engineered car. From new, all MINIs come with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which is a great package and gives good peace of mind when buying a nearly-new model. The battery in the plug-in hybrid model is covered by a separate, longer warranty.
Safety
Safety features
The MINI Countryman is a very safe car. It was awarded the maximum five-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2017, with high scores for protecting both adult and child occupants.
All models come with autonomous emergency braking as standard, which is a fantastic safety feature that can help to prevent low-speed collisions. You also get rear parking sensors on all models. More advanced safety features, like adaptive cruise control, are available as part of optional packs.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Countryman is available in a few core trim levels, each with a different flavour.
Classic: The entry-level model is well-equipped with satellite navigation, rear parking sensors, and Apple CarPlay.
Sport: This trim gives the Countryman a sporty look with a John Cooper Works styling kit, larger alloy wheels, and sports seats.
Exclusive: This trim focuses on luxury, with a chrome styling kit, 18-inch alloy wheels, and luxurious leather upholstery.
Engines
There’s a wide range of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options, with both manual and automatic gearboxes available.
Cooper: A 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that offers a great blend of performance and economy.Cooper S: A powerful 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine for those who want more performance.Cooper D / Cooper SD: Economical 2.0-litre diesel engines that are perfect for high-mileage drivers.Cooper S E ALL4: The plug-in hybrid model. It combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a total of 221bhp and four-wheel drive.John Cooper Works: The high-performance model with a powerful petrol engine and a host of sporty upgrades.
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