2022 Mini Cooper Countryman

To many people, the Mini Cooper Countryman is a travesty. The clue is right there in the brand name, which is literally a synonym for tiny, minute, small, and diminutive. But did you know that Mini was actually the name of the model and not the brand? Yep. The original was the BMC Mini, and later the British Leyland Mini. Rover was the final company in charge of building the original Mini. So, the argument that the Countryman goes against the very name of the company is wrong. You can make an argument that it goes against the ethos of what Mini was supposed to be, but more on that later.

The Countryman subcompact SUV exists for the same reason the Porsche Cayenne does. As much as we'd like a manufacturer to stick with one epic car like the 911, it also needs to make other cars to turn a profit. A Mini SUV was the answer, and to make it work Mini had to go maxi. Unfortunately, it didn't go maximum with the power, as most models rely on a turbocharged triple that delivers 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Thankfully, a 189 hp/206 lb-ft turbocharged 2.0-liter is also available, as is a new plug-in hybrid model. Both the base Audi Q3 and BMW X1 are more powerful than the base Countryman, and the BMW especially offers far more cargo space. Although it falls short in some key areas, the Countryman is the easy choice if you simply must drive a Mini and also need some space for the family.

The Countryman's exterior isn't as successful as a homage to the original Alec Issigonis Mini, but it has enough design DNA. There's enough here to identify it as a Mini, even though it's the largest model the British manufacturer offers. For 2022, LED headlights and taillights are included as standard across the range. The rear cluster features the famous Union Jack pattern, which is yet another reminder of the car's origin. Other exterior features include color-coded front and rear bumpers. The grille features hexagonal contours, surrounded by a thin chrome strip. This can be replaced with Piano Black trim by adding an optional package. Every model in the range comes as standard with 17-inch alloys, but 18s and 19s are available on the options menu. The SE plug-in hybrid has a small model-specific badge on the tailgate, and a charging port sporting the same electric Mini branding. The Boardwalk Edition is painted in Deep Laguna and features black 18-inch alloys and other exterior styling elements.

The Countryman has a total body length of 169.7 inches and a maximum width of 78.8 inches, including the mirrors. Without the mirrors, the width is 71.7 inches, while the maximum height is rated at 61.3 inches or 61.4 inches in the case of the plug-in hybrid model. All of this is built around a 105.1-inch wheelbase. These figures already reveal that it's only a Mini in name. One of the historic design characteristics of a Mini is minimal overhangs, and even the standard three-door Cooper struggles with that these days. It's understandable, naturally; the additional length is needed for both space and safety. Thankfully, the curb weight of the various models is still relatively low. A base Cooper Countryman weighs 3,413 pounds, while the plug-in hybrid derivative weighs in at over 3,900 lbs.

Mini offers an impressive array of customization options, starting with the body color. But before we get to that, it's worth noting that the paint options aren't limited by the model selection but rather the sub-trim. There are three: Classic, Signature, and Iconic. The standard Cooper in Classic trim is only available in one no-cost option called Moonwalk Grey. The $500 options include Island Blue, Midnight Black, and Chili Red. The Signature trim costs an additional $3,000, with the additions at this level including British Racing Green and White Silver. The Iconic trim ($7,800) unlocks Mini Yours Enigmatic Black. MIni also offers contrasting roof options with availability depending on the trim level.

The PHEV model comes with two additional no-cost options called Rooftop Grey and Sage Green to differentiate it from the rest of the range. These colors work nicely with the hybrid's model-specific highlighted yellow accents. Chili Red isn't compatible with the PHEV trim. Contrasting hood stripes cost $100 extra. The Boardwalk Edition can be had only with its model-specific Deep Laguna paintwork - a dark-blue metallic hue.

While we appreciate that Mini did its best to keep the curb weight of the Countryman low, it's just not enough. The Countryman Cooper uses the same turbocharged three-cylinder as the three-door hatch, and while it delivers ample performance in that car, here, it just feels unwilling and underpowered. Mini claims a 0-60 mph time of 9.3 seconds for the front-wheel-drive model and 9.6 seconds for the all-wheel drive. A top speed of 140 mph is possible in the Cooper S Countryman FWD.

Thankfully, upgrading to the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder isn't expensive and its power specs are a lot better. The additional power and torque results in the 0 to 60 mph sprint dropping to 7.2 seconds for the FWD and 7.1 seconds for the AWD. Considering the negligible price difference between the two models, we don't understand why Mini doesn't just drop the triple-turbo from the range. The fastest Countryman in the standard range (our review of the Mini Countryman John Cooper Works model is considered separately) is the plug-in hybrid. This model uses the same three-cylinder powertrain as the base Cooper, powering the front wheels. At the rear, it has an electric synchronous motor. There is no mechanical coupling between the two power sources, which means the hybrid reverts back to being a heavier standard Cooper once the battery is drained. Still, the combined power output with the battery fully charged is 221 hp, resulting in a 6.5-second 0-60 mph sprint. That means it's not just the most efficient Mini in the standard range, but the fastest as well. Being a crossover, we're disappointed that the Countryman doesn't come with a towing capacity.

The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produces 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. In the FWD, the power is transferred to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Once equipped with Mini's ALL4 AWD system, the engine is coupled to an eight-speed automatic.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged motor in the Cooper S produces 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. In FWD guise, the power is transferred to the wheels via the same seven-speed DCT gearbox but with a sportier tune. The eight-speed transmission is also standard fitment once ALL4 is equipped.

Mini's plug-in hybrid is quite a complex car in the engine and gearbox department. It has two gearboxes: a six-speed automatic transferring power from the 1.5-liter engine to the front wheels and a single-speed transmission sending power from the electric motor to the rear wheels. The electric motor alone produces 87 hp. The combined power output is 221 hp and 284 lb-ft.

Let's just start by dispelling a widely believed and overused myth. A Mini does not handle like a go-kart. In fact, not even a classic Mini handles go-kart-like, but it's easy to understand where the correlation comes from. A classic Mini weighs around 1,200 lbs, sits extremely close to the ground, has a wheel at each corner, and zero power assistance. If you brake or lift going into a corner, it will oversteer.

The new Mini Countryman is none of these things, but that doesn't mean it's not good. In fact, it's one of the least boring compact crossovers out there. The steering is sharp, direct, and provides a lot of feedback. You do feel the additional weight over the small hatch, especially in the nearly 4,000 lbs plug-in hybrid. If you press too hard going into a corner, it will start leaning. We don't see this as a problem, as enthusiastic drivers will most likely go for the five-door hatch or the JCW Countryman.

The brakes are strong, and the ride is smooth. It has a well-engineered chassis, borrowed from BMW. This isn't too bad considering BMW has around 20 years of experience in engineering FWD cars. It feels like a BMW, which is high praise: Firm, yet compliant. Eager, but not difficult to handle. There's an excellent balance between an engaging drive that you'll only use occasionally, and a comfortable suspension that you'll use all the time. As for off-road ability, BMW defines this as an SAV, not an SUV, and we are confident that the vast majority of Countrymans won't see much more than a short stretch of gravel or a steep driveway.

The EPA-estimated gas mileage figures also have us questioning why Mini continues to offer the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine as an option. In FWD guise, it's capable of 26/33/29 mpg city/highway/combined, decreasing to 23/30/26 in AWD guise. The FWD 2.0-liter turbo comes with EPA-estimated figures of 24/33/28 mpg and 23/31/26 mpg with AWD. Yes, the smaller engine is more frugal, but we would have wanted to see a more noticeable difference in frugality given the poor performance.

The PHEV model is the undisputed champion. According to the EPA, it's capable of 73 MPGe on the combined cycle and 29 mpg once the battery is depleted, and the manufacturer claims a full charge can be achieved in 2.5 hours on a Level 2 charger. Mini claims a combined range of 300 miles and an all-electric range of 17 miles. The non-hybrid Minis are equipped with a 16.1-gallon tank, which is good for around 466 miles in the case of the most frugal model. The PHEV gets a smaller 9.5-gallon gas tank.

Mini's large circular homage to the original remains housing an 8.8-inch touchscreen media system display that's standard across the range. In terms of quality, the interior is beautifully appointed with a leather-wrapped steering wheel fitted as standard on all models. The overall design is quite striking, and it's easy to get comfortable. Being the maxi Mini, there's ample space.

For 2022, a five-inch digital instrument cluster is now standard across the range. It looks extremely cool with its rounded edges and is well worth investing in. We're pretty surprised by the lack of features, especially since the Mini's pricing starts at around $30,000. At the base level, you get manually-adjustable seats. Even something as basic as Apple CarPlay isn't standard. We're aware that the Mini badge comes at a premium, but even an entry-level Chevrolet Spark, which costs less than half the price of the base Countryman, comes as standard with a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay.

The Countryman certainly has the advantage when it comes to interior space. Yes, you can squeeze four people into the Cooper hatch, but it will be an uncomfortably intimate experience. The Countryman can easily accommodate four, and five for short periods of time. Both legroom and headroom are adequate front and rear, and only those over six-feet tall and above will feel cramped. Every Countryman is equipped with comfortable, supportive bucket-like seats in the front. In base trim and Signature trim, they adjust manually, but the Iconic trim gets power-adjustable front seats.

Another advantage of the Mini SUV is the ease of access. It's just the right height to get in and out of. It's also easier to see out of, thanks to the tiny windows located behind the C-pillar. The floating roof concept doesn't work as well, but it's a small price to pay for having a clear view all around.

While we don't appreciate Mini's selfish approach regarding standard equipment, we can't fault the material quality. Classic and Signature trim levels come with Carbon Black leatherette, which already has a premium feel. Signature and Iconic trims offer a selection of premium leather upholstery options, although you need to pay extra for these on the Signature. The Signature leather options include Cross Punch Carbon Black and three Chesterfield options: Malt Brown, Indigo Blue, and Satellite Grey. The Mini Yours Leather Lounge Carbon Black upholstery is also available for an added cost. The Boardwalk Edition comes with black Cross Punch leather upholstery only.

The interior is lifted by Piano Black accents and, depending on the trim and options, British Oak dark accent strips. Mini's PHEV has a nice yellow ring around the center console to differentiate it from the rest of the lineup.

In our humble opinion, this is where Mini completely lost the plot as far as brand ethos is concerned. We tend to forgive Minis for not being as spacious as their rivals because these British-built icons aren't supposed to be practical. This is nothing more than a mix of clever marketing and misinformation. The original Austin Mini was a practicality masterpiece and one of the main reasons it was so beloved by many. A 1960s Mini has more than enough space for four adults and large interior storage bins on either side of the rear bench. Fact.

The Countryman's 17.6 cubic feet trunk (17.2 cubes in the PHEV) is enough for daily errands but lacking compared to its rivals. BMW's X1, which uses the same platform, offers 27.1 cubes. And unlike most, we're not as willing to forgive simply because "it's a Mini." We will concede that 17.6 cubes are perfectly adequate in most daily scenarios and that the cargo space is not a deal-breaker. The rear seats fold flat in a 40/20/40 split, increasing cargo capacity to 47.6 cubes in the standard Countryman car, and 47.4 in the PHEV.

Interior storage space is adequate but not class-leading. Front passengers get dual cupholders and a narrow storage space under the center armrest. There are also door pockets for storing other small items but these are not massive.

Considering its retail price, we feel justified in saying the Mini is sparsely equipped. The Classic trim comes as standard with adaptive cruise control, manually adjustable seats, a rearview camera, manual air conditioning, a panoramic moonroof, and a rearview camera with park distance control. Forward collision warning is standard as well and, from this year, lane-departure warning. The Signature trim adds keyless entry, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power tailgate. The top-spec Iconic trim includes premium leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and power-folding exterior mirrors.

Last year, Mini dropped the old 6.5-inch display and the larger 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is now standard across the range. This year, all trims are equipped with a digital instrument cluster. In the Classic and Signature trim levels, the infotainment system comes standard with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port. In Iconic and Boardwalk Edition trims, you get navigation and Apple CarPlay included in the price. Mini drivers wouldn't be caught dead with anything but the equally iconic iPhone. A six-speaker sound system is standard, but a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is available as part of the Premium Package. All models come with HD Radio and SiriusXM with a 12-month subscription.

The Countryman was left out of the J.D. Power Ownership Survey since the first-gen model was introduced in 2011. It received its first rating in 2021, and an overall score of 82 out of a possible 100 points was a good score - which further improved to 85/1000 for the 2022 model. At the time of writing, the 2022 has not been recalled yet. The 2021 model was recalled twice. In the first case, the PHEV was recalled for debris in the hybrid battery that could lead to a fire risk. In another case, there was an issue with a malfunctioning passenger seat belt. For the 2020 model, the PHEV was recalled again for a hybrid battery that could short-circuit.

Minis are covered by a four-year/50,000-mile limited and powertrain warranty, including a three-year/36,000-mile maintenance plan and 12 years of cover for rust perforation.

The NHTSA has not yet conducted a review of the Mini Cooper Countryman, but the IIHS had the 2021 model over for a closer inspection. It was not rated in all categories, but scored a Good rating in all the relevant crash tests.

Once again, the Mini proves to be rather stingy at the price. The traditional safety equipment includes eight airbags, ABS, traction and stability control, and a rearview camera. All models also get rear parking sensors, dynamic cruise control with braking, automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance and, from this year, lane-keep assist. What is disappointing is the lack of more driver assistance features, even on the options menu. Last year's Driver Assistance Package with its head-up display, active cruise control, and a parking assistant is no longer listed, but at least the active cruise control is now included as a standard feature on all trims.

The Mini Countryman is a car, but it's also a novelty item. It lures you in with its attractive retro looks and brand appeal. Minis are for cool people who don't want to follow the herd, right? It's enchanting for a month or so, but then you realize that it's just a BMW X1 wearing a Sex Pistols shirt paired with dirty jeans. For some, the iconic badge is enough, but we prefer our cars to have some substance as well.

Is the Mini Countryman a horrible travesty, spitting on the grave of Sir Alec Issigonis? A little bit, but we can forgive it for that. Why? Because the Countryman needs to exist so niche cars like the three-door Cooper S and the splendiferous John Cooper Works GP can exist. It's a good little SUV, but it competes with some heavy hitters. Apart from the X1 it's based on, you can also get an Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Volvo XC40. Or you can make another bold retro move and get a Ford Bronco. It has that same retro flavor, just better executed.

We also don't appreciate the fact that Apple CarPlay isn't standard on all models. The cheapest car on sale in the USA (the $13,400 Chevrolet Spark) comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. We're also not impressed by the lack of driver assistance features, although it has improved a little this year. We get why people would buy a Countryman. Mini is a well-known and beloved British brand that makes quirky cars. For some, that will be enough, but it's not good enough for us.

The Countryman is on the pricey side, with the base Cooper Countryman retailing at an MSRP of $29,100. A Cooper ALL4 adds $2,000 to the price. The Countryman S is for sale from $31,900, and you can add $2,000 for the ALL4 AWD system. The Boardwalk Edition costs $38,365 for the FWD and $40,365 for the ALL4 model. Finally, the price of the Mini Cooper Countryman reaches $41,500 with the PHEV model. The cost of the Mini Cooper Countryman excludes the $850 destination charge.

These base prices can be deceiving, however. All of the prices above are for the standard Classic trim. Adding the Signature trim to the Cooper costs an additional $3,000 while upgrading to the Iconic costs $7,800. The Signature trim adds $3,600 to the price on Cooper S models, increasing to $8,500 for Iconic. The plug-in hybrid comes standard in Signature trim, with the Iconic trim costing $3,900 in the US.

There is a lineup of Mini Countryman models: Cooper, Cooper ALL4, Cooper S, Cooper S ALL4, Boardwalk Edition, Boardwalk Edition ALL4, and Cooper SE ALL4. Of these, the first three are available in Classic, Signature, or Iconic trims. The Boardwalk Edition is its own standalone trim and the SE is only offered in the top two trims. As standard, the Cooper is powered by a 134-hp/162-lb-ft 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three engine. The Cooper S has a 189-hp/206-lb-ft 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine. All FWD models transmit their power through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and ALL4 models use an eight-speed automatic transmission. The PHEV Countryman SE uses the base 1.5-liter engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor driving the rear wheels.

The base Classic trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels (18 inches from the Cooper S), LED headlights with cornering lights, LED fog lights, roof rails, and a panoramic moonroof. Inside, standard features include leatherette upholstery, six-way manual front-seat adjustment, manual climate control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a digital gauge cluster. Infotainment is covered by an 8.8-inch center touchscreen display and the system includes Bluetooth audio streaming, HD Radio, SiriusXM with a 12-month subscription, and a six-speaker audio system. Safety and driver-assistance features include eight airbags, active cruise control with forward-collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a backup camera, and parking sensors front and rear.

Signature trim adds to these features more paint options, 18-inch alloy wheels, Comfort Access keyless entry, and a power tailgate. Inside, heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control are added as well.

The Boardwalk Edition comes with the 2.0-liter engine only. It runs on black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels, is painted exclusively in Deep Laguna Metallic, and has a piano-black roof and mirrors. The seats are upholstered in black Cross Punch leather and the front ones are powered and heated. The infotainment system gets Apple CarPlay, navigation with real-time traffic updates, and wireless charging. It also has all the equipment from the Premium Package, which includes an auto-dimming interior mirror, 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, power-folding exterior mirrors, and a garage-door opener.

The flagship Iconic trim has much of the same equipment as the Boardwalk Edition, but without the limited model's restrictive treatment in terms of its interior and exterior appearance. It gets access to all the paint and leather colors too and its 18-inch alloy wheels can be upgraded to 19 inches.

Apart from the sub-trims mentioned above and under pricing, there are option packages available as well. The Premium Package costs $3,000 and consists of an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, power front seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding mirrors, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The $2,000 Signature Upholstery package brings front sport seats, Nappa leather on the steering wheel, and Cross Punch black leather on the seats. These two packages are not available on the Iconic trim, because it already has all these features. There are also several standalone options across the two base trim levels. On the Signature trim, navigation and Apple CarPlay costs $1,000.

The 1.5-liter engine should be avoided at all costs, which means you should get the Cooper S Countryman. If you live in a cold-weather state, get the ALL4 AWD system. The FWD model is a little lighter on its feet, and the S suspension setup improves the handling. With that sorted, you need to decide on a trim level. We'd avoid the base Classic trim. The Signature trim allows for more customization, like a British Racing Green hue paired with a white roof. It also boasts more convenience features like keyless entry, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power tailgate as standard.

The Clubman and Countryman retail for more or less the same price and feature the same sub-trim structure. Mini's Clubman scores massive points by not bothering to offer the lazy 1.5-liter engine. The turbocharged 2.0-liter is the only engine available. The Clubman isn't without its flaws. The twin trunk doors are a silly solution to a problem that never existed, and the rear seats aren't as spacious as the Countryman's. We're tempted to recommend the most practical solution, but there isn't one. If you have your heart set on a Mini, some compromises have to be made. The Countryman is just too expensive for what it is, and the same goes for the Clubman. If we had our choice of the Mini range, it would be the standard Cooper hatch every day of the week. Get a 4-door for added practicality.

Both cars hail from the same German mothership, but BMW was cautious to separate the two. The X1 is far more traditional, featuring less radical styling and a more conventional model and trim selection process. The X1 is more expensive, but in return, you get a 228-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It's just as fun to drive as the Mini, and the material quality is just as good. Because BMW's designers weren't limited by design, the X1's trunk is larger, and the interior space is more usable. The Mini might look more attractive price-wise, but the X1 looks like the better deal once you consider the sub-trim structure. Overall, it's just a better compact luxury crossover than the Mini.