Mini Countryman 2024 (2024 - )

Mini’s Countryman caused quite a lot of controversy when revealed in 2010. It was by far Mini’s largest car to date, and the idea of a Mini SUV did not go down with purists of the brand who always loved this brand for its ingenious packaging and dinky dimensions. 

But the Countryman has been a huge success from the start, with the sporty John Cooper Works model and the availability of a plug-in hybrid in the second generation only helping to grow this SUV’s appeal.

But the compact SUV class is crowded, which is why Mini has looked to stand out with the arrival of this, the new third Countryman. It brings some big advancements, not least with its striking new interior that will be rolled out across future models from the firm, including the upcoming new Cooper hatchback.

Aiming to hark back to the original Mini’s reduced cabin aesthetic, the big round screen remains but is now a new thin OLED curved display - the first time such a readout has been used on a production car - and then a small strip of buttons that replicates the small number of switches you’d find on a classic Mini. It looks cool but some features – such as the climate control – feel fiddly and can be distracting to change while on the move. It’s gone all out with sustainability, too, with a range of recycled materials being used, including a knitted dashboard and door panel trim, which features a cool pattern, which varies depending on the trim level. 

The whole cabin is smart and fun, with an optional projector mounted behind the touchscreen that relays graphics onto the dashboard, though it’s only at night you can fully appreciate this. Plenty of bright colours and cool materials make it a great place to spend time. 

The Countryman’s design has also evolved significantly, and not in a positive way some might argue. It’s quite noticeably bigger in terms of size than its predecessors and is now even larger than cars like the Nissan Qashqai. The overall look makes this Mini seem a bit bloated, though it does look better in John Cooper Works trim when it gets bigger alloy wheels and additional gloss black styling that suits a larger car, as well as a quad-exit exhaust. 

There are five versions of the Mini Countryman available – three petrol models and two electric versions. 

Our test drive was with the flagship petrol model – the John Cooper Works. This uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre unit developing 296bhp and 400Nm of torque, which enables a 0-60mph time of 5.2 seconds and a top speed limited to 155mph.

Other petrol options include the Countryman C – a 168bhp 1.5-litre – as well as the Countryman S All4, which uses a 215bhp 2.0-litre unit and four-wheel-drive. 

Mini is also offering an electric Countryman for the first time – the E and SE. You can choose a 201bhp front-wheel-drive model or a 309bhp four-wheel-drive version. Both use a 64.7kWh battery as well. 

Though this new John Cooper Works model is slightly down on power, it still delivers more than enough pace and gets a throaty-sounding exhaust system to add to the appeal. It continues to offer the legendary go-kart feel that Minis are renowned for, even though this is a far larger package. You can feel the excess weight of this SUV through the corners, but it’s still lively down a good twisty road and can bring a smile to the driver’s face as well. 

One area where we’re not so keen on the Countryman is for all its many driving modes. Mini has put in a range of experience modes that change both the driving feel, noises of the car and the colours of the screen and displays. While cool at first, the novelty quickly wears off and drivers are likely to just leave the vehicle in one mode and rarely change them. The ride on our test car with its large 20-inch alloys was also fairly firm too. 

This new Countryman is quite a lot bigger than its predecessor, being 6cm taller and 13cm longer, while much of this goes into giving this Mini a longer wheelbase. One thing is for sure, this is no longer ‘mini’, but it does make it the most practical and versatile car yet from this British brand. 

Though still not the most spacious car in its segment, there’s a decent amount of rear space for most adults, just as long as the front seats aren’t pushed too far back. There’s plenty of headroom as well, along with a decent amount of storage. Large water bottles fit easily into the Countryman’s door pockets, while there’s a small box between the front seats that’s ideal for keeping items of value out of sight or just to rid the cabin of clutter. 

In terms of boot space, the Countryman offers 460 litres, which is slightly more than that of its predecessor. Folding the rear seats increases the load area to 1,450 litres, while petrol versions also come with sliding rear seats that also come with adjustable backrests, depending on your particular needs. 

If you’re looking to keep running costs down, it will likely be the electric models that make the most sense, especially for those who can access cheaper home electricity tariffs for cost-effective charging. Though the Countryman uses an average-size 64.7kWh battery, it does help to keep the price of this Mini down, and the range is respectable for a smaller SUV – Mini claims 287 miles with the standard Countryman E, or 269 miles for the more powerful Countryman E. 

It also boasts 130kW DC rapid charging capability, allowing for a 10 to 80 per cent charge to be completed in just half an hour.

However, even the standard petrol model shouldn’t be too expensive to run, with Mini claiming up to 46.3mpg and 138g/km CO2 emissions. The more powerful Cooper S and John Cooper Works will be noticeably costlier, but as long as you drive them sensibly, shouldn’t drain your pockets too much. 

In terms of pricing, the Countryman starts from £29,335 for the standard petrol model, rising to £41,520 for the John Cooper Works. Petrol versions are quite well-priced, but the same can’t be said for the electric models, which start from £42,080 for the standard version and £47,180 for the SE. It means that it’s not difficult to end up with a £50,000 Mini. 

Mini has really injected the fun into this new generation of Countryman. Its design is refreshingly different, while the interior is smart and modern, with plenty of cool features that will no doubt appeal to tech-loving buyers. The special attention made to sustainability is welcome as well. It’s decent to drive as well, while the option of the electric models for the first time expands the Countryman’s appeal significantly. 

While considerably larger than its predecessor, and some might not like the idea of a Mini being as large as this, it’s a very successful reinvention of this brand and leads space for Mini to introduce a smaller crossover, the Aceman, later in 2024.