2023 Mini Countryman Overview What’s New? Changes have been made to the Untamed Edition bundle. The Cooper and Classic were taken off the market in the middle of the year. A new Countryman from the second generation came out in 2017. The Mini Countryman 2023 is a stylish compact crossover, one of the smallest SUVs on the market, and the most significant car made by the British company. Even though the Countryman’s small size makes it less practical than most other SUVs, you get an SUV that is easier to park and move around in tight spaces. It has a unique look inside and out, and the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models are fun to drive because they handle well and get up to speed quickly. The SE All4 is another plug-in hybrid version of the Countryman that Mini sells. It can go about 17 km on electric power alone. It then goes back to working like a hybrid should. In theory, it’s a great idea, but 17 miles is pretty close for a plug-in car. Even though the SE All4 is a hybrid, it uses almost the same gas as the Cooper S until the battery dies. In 2023, a new special edition of the Countryman called the “Untamed Edition” will be released. The Countryman Untamed Edition adds to the beauty of a car that looks great, just like the Resolute Edition and Untold Edition upgrades for the Cooper Hardtop and Cooper Clubman. Mini removed the entry-level Classic trim level and the essential Countryman Cooper with a three-cylinder engine halfway through the 2023 model year. We like the Countryman not because it is excellent, but because it differs from other cars. The Buick Encore GX, Mazda CX-30, and Volkswagen Taos are better choices for an extra-small crossover. Pros vs Cons Pros There are performance and plug-in hybrid versions. It stands out from other products because of how it looks on the outside and inside. Journeys that are fun to drive Cons There are front seats. Not much room for luggage The need for premium gasoline A plug-in hybrid can only go so far on electric power. Performance How do you make the Countryman move? We tried the Cooper S version, which went 7.1 seconds from 0-60 mph. The engine is slow to start when the car is stopped, which is our main complaint about the Countryman. The turbocharged engine is vital in town and great for quickly getting up to highway speeds. Even though the Countryman’s brakes stop well in an emergency, they can be harsh and grabby in slow-moving traffic. As you might expect, the Mini Countryman is a great car to drive on roads with many turns. The steering is accurate and gives you a good feel for the road. The Countryman is still fun and can easily beat other cars in its class on a back road. Comfort How easy is the Countryman to drive? If you’ve gone on a Mini before, you won’t notice how bumpy the ride is. Still, people who have never driven a Mini might find the ride stiff. Even though the front seats are stiff and tight initially, they provide enough support for long flights. Even though the Countryman has a shallow level of road noise, the almost vertical windscreen and frameless side windows make wind noise that can be heard. When you drive very fast, engine and exhaust sounds get inside, which is otherwise very quiet. Interior How does the inside look? The interior of the Countryman has mostly stayed the same for a long time. Even the simple instruments and toggle switches made of chrome stand out. Most of the advanced features on the infotainment system are easy to find with the knob, and the controls are easy to use. The Countryman is easier to get in and out of because it sits higher and has shorter front and back doors. Despite the Countryman’s appearance, the inside has more room than you might think for all passengers. The view out the back is better than average for this class. Technology How good is the tech? The Countryman’s infotainment screen is long and narrow, which is a nod to the style of Mini’s interior. It looks tiny compared to some of its competitors, but it is easy to read thanks to its bright graphics and strong contrast. It doesn’t work with Android Auto, which makes it much less impressive. Even though Apple CarPlay is now available, Android phone users must make do with a simple Bluetooth connection. On the other hand, the Harman Kardon audio system fills the Countryman’s cabin with clear, powerful sound. The Countryman has two USB-C connectors in the front and two in the back. This means passengers in the front and rear seats must bring USB-C cables or adapters. Storage What about putting things away? Even though the Countryman is the giant Mini, it is not the most helpful car in its class. The Countryman’s 17.6 cubic-foot cargo space is smaller than competitors like the Audi Q3 (23.7 cubes) and Mercedes-Benz GLB (22 cubes). The back seats of the Mini can be folded down in a 40/20/40 pattern, but the seatback releases can only be reached through the rear passenger doors. In front, the Countryman has a good number of storage boxes that are the right size. Sunglasses, phones, and other small items will each have their compartment. Even though they aren’t huge, the door pockets are helpful. Fuel Economy How well does it use gasoline? The EPA says the Mini Countryman S we tested with all-wheel drive gets a combined 26 mpg. That is above the average of the class. During our 115-mile mixed-driving test, our test vehicle got an average of 28.8 mpg, the same as the EPA predicted. It’s best to use premium gas. Value Is it a good deal, Countryman? The Countryman usually costs more than small SUVs like the Mazda CX-30 and the Buick Trailblazer, but it costs less than high-end cars like the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLB. It’s an interesting compromise, and the price is fair for what the car can do and how it looks. The standard for bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties in the car business is four years and 50,000 miles. Maintenance is free for three years or 36,000 miles, and roadside assistance is free for four years or unlimited miles. Wildcard If you enjoy great times behind the wheel and like the unique look of Minis, the Countryman will not disappoint you. Even though it is bigger and heavier than other Minis, the Countryman has the same sporty, attractive personality as other Minis. Because the Countryman is always up for a good time, you might find yourself going up on ramps and down excellent roads a little faster without even realizing it. Even though it’s not the most helpful car in its class, it’s fun to drive. What is Invoice Pricing's Recommendation? As we did with the model from last year, we like the Countryman S with the Signature package. It costs less than the base Countryman and SE models and has a more powerful engine. Different MINI Countryman models The 2023 Mini Countryman has four trim levels: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE All4, and John Cooper Work. Each one has its turbocharged engine and automatic transmission. The Countryman comes in three trim levels: Classic, Signature, and Iconic. Each class has a different number of standard features. 2023 Mini Countryman Video Review
