History/Overview
The Mini Countryman is the British brand's sole crossover model, a subcompact that competes in the upscale field. It was introduced in 2011 and redesigned into a second generation in 2017. It moves into 2020 with no changes.
Available Trims
Mini offers the Countryman in base, S, John Cooper Works (JCW), and Cooper SE PHEV trims. Base cars use a 1.5L 3 three-cylinder engine; S and John Cooper Works share a 2.0L engine, which gets a power upgrade in JCW; and Cooper SE PHEV pairs the 3-cylinder with an electric motor.
All models are standard with AWD; gas-powered Countryman variants use an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the SE PHEV gets a 6-speed automatic.
Standard Features
Countryman standard kit includes an electric parking brake, heated side mirrors and front washer jets, a 6.5-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, rain-sensing wipers, auto engine stop/start, 6-way manual front seats, power windows/locks/mirrors, air conditioning, push-button engine start, ambient interior lighting, a 6-speaker stereo, and 17-inch wheels.
Countryman S adds runflat tires, sport seats, a black headliner, and 18-inch wheels.
JCW brings red brake calipers, passive keyless entry, sport suspension, JCW sport seats, a power tailgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and LED headlights with cornering function.
Cooper SE PHEV also builds on the Cooper S Countryman with a power tailgate, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and dual-zone climate control.
Key Options
In the base and S models, a Premier package adds a power trunk, passive keyless entry, auto-dimming mirror, power front seats, and dual-zone climate control. Premier+ adds LED fog lights and headlights, navigation, and Apple CarPlay, and, in JCW and SE PHEV, a head-up display.
Among the Countryman's stand-alone extras is a driving assistance package (collision warning and automatic braking, adaptive cruise, and automatic high beams); a heated windshield; and power-folding side mirrors.
Fuel Economy
Mini's fuel consumption estimates for the Countryman are 9.8/7.1 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 3-cylinder; 10.4/7.5 in the Cooper S; 10.0/7.8 for the JCW; and 8.1/7.9 for the SE PHEV when running in hybrid mode, and 3.2 Le/100 km in EV mode.
Competition
With the Countryman, Mini goes up against subcompact luxury crossovers like the Lexus UX, BMW's X1 and X2, the Buick Encore, Mercedes-Benz's GLA, the Cadillac XT4, and Volvo's XC40.
