About Countryman
When the Countryman arrived in 2010, purists asked how a car this size could wear the Mini badge. Buyers answered with their wallets. The first four-door, all-wheel-drive Mini gave young families a way to keep the brand's style and handling without wrestling a child seat into a three-door hatch, and it quickly became one of the company's best sellers. It also proved a useful rally weapon, contesting the Dakar in heavily modified form.
The second generation, launched in 2017, grew roomier and added a plug-in hybrid, and it earned a reputation as a fun-to-drive crossover with an interior that felt more boutique than practical. The current Countryman, the third, took a bigger leap: it is substantially larger, built in Leipzig alongside BMW's compact models, and offered both with gasoline engines and as a fully electric SUV. Inside, the round OLED screen dominates a minimalist dashboard, and fabric trims replace much of the chrome. Some reviewers find the touchscreen busy; most praise the space.
That growth spurt changed its competitive set. The Countryman now competes squarely with the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Volvo XC40, and the electric versions are cross-shopped against the Volvo EX40 and Volkswagen ID.4. It has the cheekiest cabin of the bunch and a chassis that still rewards a twisty road, though some rivals offer more rear legroom for similar money. All-wheel drive is available, and in some markets it is one of very few premium compact SUVs offered with both gasoline and electric power under the same name.
The John Cooper Works version adds more power and attitude, and the Untamed edition leans into the outdoors with chunkier styling, all-terrain hints and a camping-friendly theme that would have made the original Mini Moke proud. Look here for first drives and long-term tests, comparisons with rival compact SUVs, electric range and charging reports, special editions, regional launches and pricing news, and recall notices covering both the gasoline and electric models.