2024 MINI Countryman Review: Prices, Specs, and Photos (2024)

Likes

• Mini personality
• Big(ger) interior
• Good to drive
• Rapid JCW

Dislikes

• Wicked price tag
• Still not particularly roomy
• Some versions ride rough

Buying tip

Watch the options closely; the Mini Countryman works just fine without digging too deep into costly extras.

features & specs

What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Mini Countryman? What does it compare to?

This small crossover SUV pairs Mini-familiar styling with willing handling and a slightly bigger interior. Shop it against the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.

Is the 2024 Mini Countryman a good SUV?

It’s not the most spacious and it’s certainly not the most affordable, but the Mini Countryman arguably offers the most personality you’ll find in any small crossover SUV. It’s a 6.4 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

What's new for the 2024 Mini Countryman?

Mini has reintroduced the entry-level Classic trim level, which is the only way you can find the base powertrain this year. Additionally, the plug-in hybrid is back after a short hiatus.

The Countryman’s puffed-up Mini Cooper styling works well overall, with a more boxy, taller body serving as its prime SUV cue. Inside, it’s Mini business as usual, with plenty of round styling details albeit a little more leg and head room than the lower-riding Mini Clubman.

The range starts off with a turbo-3 that puts out just 134 hp before climbing to the 189-hp turbo-4 in the Countryman S. The megabuck John Cooper Works versions justify their price tags with a 301-hp turbo-4 that gives them ultra-rapid acceleration, which is paired with a somewhat firm ride.

There’s also a plug-in hybrid model called Countryman SE that offers good acceleration but just 18 miles of range on a full charge. At about $50,000, it’s a head-scratcher.

All models use a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, and all-wheel drive is widely available. Base versions ride the best, though even the S is comfy enough. Every model has quick-reacting steering and nuanced handling that’s among the best you’ll find in a small crossover.

The bigger-than-a-Cooper interior offers up decent cargo space to go with its inventive design, but scant equipment. You’ll pay extra for some niceties such as adaptive cruise control that are standard on some rivals.

Crash-test results posted so far have been good overall.

How much does the 2024 Mini Countryman cost?

The new Classic trim level standard on the revived base model notches the price down to about $33,600 this year, though all-wheel drive runs $1,500 more.

The more powerful turbo-4 engine is a modest $750 upcharge with all-wheel drive, though.

Where is the 2024 Mini Countryman made?

In The Netherlands.

2024 MINI Countryman

Styling

Is the Mini Countryman a good-looking car?

It’s not a conventional beauty, but the 2024 Mini Countryman has more personality than its rivals. It’s a 7 on the TCC scale thanks to its perky exterior and its playful cabin.

The Countryman successfully inflates standard Mini design cues, including ovoid headlights, a frowning grille, and Union Jack taillights. Its SUV aura comes courtesy of unpainted fender flares and a more boxy profile, but there’s no confusing it for a Land Rover.

Inside, the 8.8-inch touchscreen sits in a circular panel. That theme continues into virtually every surface, generally with great success. Mini offers a ton of material and upholstery options, too, so choose wisely.

2024 MINI Countryman

Performance

Small SUVs don’t tend to be too much fun to drive, but the Mini Countryman begs to differ. It has crisp handling and grunty turbo power—especially when built up to JCW spec. It’s a 7 on the TCC scale.

Is the Mini Countryman 4WD?

It can be, but don’t look to go too far off road. These aren’t proper four-wheelers.

How fast is the Mini Countryman?

Base versions send just 134 hp to the wheels, which Mini says means a lethargic 9.6-second run to 60 mph with all-wheel drive. The better choice here is the S version, which trades the turbo-3 for a turbo-4 rated at a hearty 189 hp. Look for 60 mph in just over seven seconds.

Speed demons will definitely want the John Cooper Works, which is the biggest, costliest, and fastest Mini in the range. Its 301-hp turbo-4 rushes this small SUV to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

The pricey Countryman SE combines the turbo-3 with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, which means 221 hp and a 6.5-second 60-mph run.

So long as you’re not tempted by the biggest wheels, these models have a comfortable, composed ride and quick-witted steering. Their firm suspensions can be tiring on pockmarked roads, but they lend Countrymans (Countrymen?) a sporty feel. JCW models ratchet things up considerably, for nearly track-ready handling in a somewhat practical package.

2024 MINI Countryman

Comfort & Quality

The 2024 Mini Countryman isn’t a great choice for a growing family, but it can be more practical than any other car in the Mini lineup. It’s a 7 on our scale thanks to its cargo area and its supportive front seats.
The 17.6 cubic-foot cargo area is decidedly diminutive for a small SUV, though it grows to nearly 48 cubic feet when the rear seatbacks are folded flat. (Hybrid models are incrementally smaller.)
Bolstered front seats will be a tight fit for wider occupants, but they’re great for sporty driving. The second row affords just 37.0 inches of legroom, though.
Interior materials don’t impress us as much as the playful design does.

2024 MINI Countryman

Safety

How safe is the Mini Countryman?

It comes with the basics and offers plenty of additional crash-avoidance features, but we can’t rate the 2024 Mini Countryman until it is tested by the IIHS and the NHTSA.
The IIHS has conducted limited testing with “Good” results overall, but there’s still more to be done. The NHTSA hasn’t crashed one yet.
All models have automatic emergency braking, but blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control cost extra.