2020 Mini Countryman

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Rating7.6

Ranked #3 in 

Subcompact Wagon
Write Review
$28,400 - $41,400
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Unique design which sets it apart

Small boot space

All-new trim structure

Spacious interiors

Requires premium fuel

Standard and optional equipment list gets some changes

High-quality materials used

Front seats are not as spacious as its rivals

One-of-a-kind vehicle with Manual transmission in its segment

Underpowered base engine

Specs & Features

$28,400

price

134 hp @ 4400 rpm

horsepower

162 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm

torque

7-Speed Automated Manual

transmission

1.5L 3cyl FWD 7AM

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Many follow the crowd while a handful creates their own paths. Mini aims to do that and has introduced its latest creation, the Countryman, as a car that stands against many compact crossovers available. An amalgamation of classic and modern design with a touch of intelligence, Mini offers not just a car, it offers an experience to live with.

Like the brand’s values, the new Countryman was built on not just a new platform, but it traces its roots to the original Mini Cooper, which was introduced as an answer to the VW Beetle.

The Mini Countryman comes at an attractive price and won't burn a hole in your pocket. However, with the higher trims, exclusive options and premium luxuries get included because of which the top-most trim becomes a money hoarder.

Buying Advice

To get the best value for your money, the Cooper S All4 Signature is the variant to go for as it gives a ton of personalization options to choose from along with some extra body colors including the iconic British Racing Green color.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Treading away from the ‘mini’ badge, Mini offers its largest member of the Mini family. Built on the same platform as that of the BMW X1, it shares many of its aspects with its rival along with some of its mechanical components.

With its unique charisma and personality, the car offers a superb combination of Mini’s classic driving experience along with modern technology and iconic design. The interior of this car feels quite spacious, comfortable and plush.

With the beefed-up numbers, ranging from length to the ground clearance, the Countryman dares to take on any terrain without having much difficulty. The countryman is definitely a car for those who want a compact SUV with a great range of personalization options to choose from.

Features
7.0/10

The countryman offers 5 models, Cooper Countryman, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper Countryman ALL4, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, John CooperWorks Countryman ALL4 and Cooper S E Countryman ALL4, with a base price of $26,900 and goes up to $36,900 and offers an option to choose between either 6/8 speed Automatic or 6/8 speed manual transmission in select variants. The only difference between these models is what lies under the hood.

Other than that a Countryman can be customized under 3 trims, Classic, Signature and Iconic. Classic is the least expensive trim offering only standard features while the Signature offers some additional features like choice of paint color etc. Finally, the Iconic trim offers every feature from the Classic and Signature trim along with some extra personalization options to choose from.

Trims

Cooper

Cooper S

Cooper ALL4

Cooper S All4

JCW ALL4

Cooper S E ALL4

MSRP

$26,900

$29,400

$31,400

$32,400

$38,400

$36,900

Key features

6.5” display with a media system

All standard features plus-

All standard features of Cooper plus-

All standard features of Cooper S plus-

All standard features plus-

All standard features plus-

 

Panorama Roof

2.0 L I-4 Engine

ALL4 all-wheel-drive system

2.0 L I-4 Engine

2.0 L I-4 Engine

Plug-in hybrid motor

 

Leather-wrapped 3 spoke steering wheel

18” silver aluminum wheels

 

18” silver aluminum wheels

ALL4 all-wheel-drive system   
 

17” alloy wheels

 

     18” machined with painted accents aluminum wheels  
 

A rear camera and parking sensors

 

     Dinamica simulated suede/cloth seat trim  

We recommend  

To get the best value for your money, the Cooper S All4 Signature is the variant to go for as it gives a ton of personalization options to choose from along with some extra body colors including the iconic British Racing Green color.

Fuel Economy
4.0/10

While on highways, the Bimmer takes the pole position for the most fuel-efficient car and when on city roads, the Buick takes the crown while others follow it. Overall the Buick takes the first place in fuel economy followed by the other 3 in the second position. 

Models

Cooper S Countryman All4

BMW X1 sDrive28i

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic

Buick Encore Essence AWD

MPG (hwy)

30

32

31

29

MPG (city)

21

23

23

24

MPG (combined)

26

26

26

27

Tank cap. (gal.)

16.1

16.1

13.2

14

Interior
7.0/10

The Countryman boasts a sense of roominess you won't find in other Minis along with some thoughtful touches such as an instrument panel that moves with the steering wheel and folding rear headrests” - Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

Mini has upped its quality for the interiors which feels quite up to the mark. With some near-luxury accommodations, the interior feels plush. Mini offers leather seats as standard, along with never-ending options to personalize the interiors to suit the style of the rider. The interior feels quite spacious and roomy that can even fit a 6ft tall person with ease.

Mini has left a touch its signature style into the interiors. With retro-style central console and dashboard that includes an oversized circular center console and toggle switches, the interior feels quite advanced with every control at fingertips.

Models

Cooper S Countryman All4

BMW X1 sDrive28i

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic

Buick Encore Essence AWD

Passenger Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

39.9/54.8/40.4

41.9/55.6/40.4

38.4/56/40.2

39.6/54.2/40.8

Second row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.5/54/37.6

39.4/55.2/37

35.4/53.2/27.1

38.8/52.5/35.8

While driving at green or mid modes, the cabin is reasonably quiet due to the presence of an acoustic system inside the cabin which insulates the cabin. While at sports mode, the rumbling sound of the engine enters the cabin and makes the ride more thrilling and fun.

Getting in the rear seat feel slightly difficult due to the large seats, but once inside, the extra inches makes it easier to stretch the knee. Same goes for the headroom. The only flaw in the interior that makes sitting at the rear less fun is the presence of a huge bar in the center which blocks the panoramic view of the panoramic roof.

Infotainment

Countryman’s infotainment has all the quirky features that many people would like. Mini has added a 6.5” touchscreen which is colorful and vibrant and also responsive. The graphics displayed on it are of high resolution and vibrant.

The infotainment uses an upgraded version of BMW’s iDrive software, which has great animations and transitions included in it. Also, Mini has added a clever thing into the infotainment, called the analyzer page which shows the driver fuel efficiency for a ride. 

Cargo space

The Boot space provided by the Countryman is significantly less when compared to its platform-sharing sibling, the X1. The BMW X1 (27.1 cu.ft.) bags the first place followed by the Buick (18.8 cu.ft.) then the GLA 250 (17.2 cu.ft.) and the Countryman (15.9 cu.ft.) Finishing at the last.

Models

Cooper S Countryman All4

BMW X1 sDrive28i

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic

Buick Encore Essence AWD

Maximum interior cargo volume (cu.ft.)

15.9

27.1

17.2

18.8

The Countryman also has an under-seat hidden storage compartment under the driver’s seat. The cargo space can also be increased when the rear seats are folded down.

Exterior
7.0/10

While the "big Mini" looked relatively enormous in European traffic, it managed to maintain an aura of cuteness in the United States, where the roads are dominated by massive pickup trucks and SUVs” – Car and Driver

Design and Dimension

The Countryman is the smallest car when compared to its rivals but still manages to be spacious enough to accommodate 5 persons comfortably. The Cooper easily maintains a balance between its size and interior space.

Models

Cooper S Countryman All4

BMW X1 sDrive28i

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic

Buick Encore Essence AWD

Curb weight (lbs)

3629

3543

3428

3237

Length (in)

169.8

175.4

173.9

168.4

Width (in)

71.7

71.7

71

70.1

Height (in)

61.3

62.9

60

65.2

Ground clearance (in)

6.5

7.2

5.3

6.2

Wheel base (in)

105.1

105.1

106.3

100.6

Track width (in) F/R

61.5/61.6

61.5/61.6

60.9/60.8

60.62/60.62

In terms of ground clearance, the bimmer takes the lead, followed by the Countryman. Though they are built on the same platform, because of its beefed up specs, the X1 has an upper hand in terms of the ground clearance and becomes a good contender for off-roading.

Exterior Features-

The 2020 Mini Countryman comes bundled with the following features –

  • An option between 18” JCW thrill spoke wheels and 18” JCW black thrill spoke wheels
  • Black roof rails
  • LED headlights with cornering lights
  • Rear spoiler
  • Increased personalization options

Safety
9.9/10

The new Countryman hasn’t been tested by the NHSTA but has been tested extensively by IIHS and has got an overall rating of Good. To make the car even safer, the Countryman comes bundled with a host of safety features like

  • Emergency automatic braking
  • Forward collision warning
  • Rearview camera
  • Rear park distance control
  • Electronic stability control (ESC)

Competition
9.0/10

Mini Cooper Countryman Cooper S All4 v/s BMW X1 sDrive28i

When pitted against each other, the BMW owned Mini offers a unique experience that offers the best of both worlds. The Cooper S becomes a great choice for those who have a low budget and want something luxurious yet practical. The X1, on the other hand, gives the Countryman a tough competition and even beats the car in some segments. The BMW, though slightly expensive, is definitely for those who want a complete package of all great features ranging from performance to practicality.

Mini Cooper Countryman Cooper S All4 v/s Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic

The Countryman, when pitched against the GLA 250, comes out to be a clear winner as under almost all of the segments, the Countryman took over the GLA and left it in the dust. Both of these cars have their pros and cons but Mini gets an edge over the GLA as it gives a perfect balance between luxury and performance. Also, it offers a great array of personalization options to add a personal touch to the car.

Mini Cooper Countryman Cooper S All4 v/s Buick Encore Essence AWD

The Encore gives the Countryman a tough competition in some segments. The Encore comes equipped with a ton of standard features, though when compared to the countryman at the same cost, the countryman offers some additional features along with plush interiors and a list never-ending personalization options to choose from. As their cost is almost the same, and so the features, it all depends on the choice of the buyer.

Final Verdict

The new Countryman is a complete package that has everything in it, from personalization to performance and spacious interiors. It also comes as a performance-oriented version called the JCW that completely changes everything about Mini.

Though under the skin, it shares many of its features with its closest rival BMW X1, it still manages to keep itself unique and carve out a niche for itself. No matter your utility, the Countryman will definitely suit your driving style and needs. The Countryman is the perfect car for family outings or weekend getaways or some off-the-line driving.

This car offers premium features, funky interior designs and the signature Mini’s driving dynamics that makes this car quite desirable. The Countryman easily balances out between overall performance and the level of comfort and becomes a perfect car for those who always look for balance and perfection in everything in life.

Trims

    Base
    $28,400 onwards
    • Engine: 1.5L 3cyl FWD 7AM
    • Horsepower: 134 hp @ 4400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 162 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.2 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 29 mpg
    Oxford Edition
    $28,400 onwards
    • Engine: 1.5L 3cyl AWD 8AM
    • Horsepower: 134 hp @ 4400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 162 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.3 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 27 mpg
    Cooper S
    $31,900 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 7AM
    • Horsepower: 189 hp @ 5000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 207 lb.-ft. @ 1350 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.7 sec
    • Top Speed: 91 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 28 mpg
    John Cooper Works
    $41,400 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl AWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 301 hp @ 5200 rpm hp
    • Torque: 331 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.75 sec
    • Top Speed: 105 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$34,250- $36,250

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.8

Horsepower

208 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

258 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$33,700- $42,450

Gasoline

7.09

187 hp @ 4700 rpm

221 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

5

Read Review

$35,200- $37,200

Gasoline

6.59

228 hp @ 5000 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$51,450- $59,450

Gasoline

7.67

250 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$28,400- $41,400

Gasoline

7.57

301 hp @ 5200 rpm

331 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

7

Read Review

$24,590- $29,495

Gasoline

6.42

177 hp @ 5500 rpm

210 lb.-ft. @ 2200 rpm

5

Read Review

$39,650- $45,400

Gasoline

8.27

250 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

2020 Mini Countryman vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.2 sec16.7 sec-
    6.4 sec14.9 sec-
    6.4 sec14.9 sec-
    2020 BMW X1

    Ranked #2

    6.6 sec15.3 sec127 mph
    6.78 sec--
    7.8 sec16.1 sec-

    2020 Mini Countryman vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      26 mpg33 mpg29 mpg16.1 gal.418.6/531.3 mi.
      24 mpg34 mpg28 mpg14.8 gal.355.2/503.2 mi.
      2020 BMW X1

      Ranked #3

      24 mpg33 mpg27 mpg16.1 gal.386.4/531.3 mi.
      23 mpg34 mpg27 mpg14.5 gal.333.5/493 mi.
      23 mpg33 mpg27 mpg14.2 gal.326.6/468.6 mi.
      24 mpg30 mpg26 mpg12.7 gal.304.8/381 mi.

      2020 Mini Countryman vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        169.8 in.71.7 in.61.3 in.6.5 in.105.1 in.
        194.3 in.74 in.58.1 in.6 in.115.8 in.

        2020 Audi A4 Allroad

        Ranked #2

        187.5 in.72.5 in.58.8 in.6.5 in.110.9 in.
        187.4 in.72.8 in.56.2 in.5.4 in.113.1 in.
        2020 BMW X1

        Ranked #4

        175.5 in.71.7 in.62.9 in.7.2 in.105.1 in.
        174.2 in.73.7 in.65.3 in.8.3 in.106.4 in.

        2020 Mini Countryman vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          17.6 cu.ft.151.9 cu.ft.47.6 cu.ft.
          14.1 cu.ft.91.7 cu.ft.39.8 cu.ft.
          20.7 cu.ft.-57.5 cu.ft.
          23.2 cu.ft.-50.9 cu.ft.
          17.2 cu.ft.-43.6 cu.ft.
          2020 BMW X1

          Ranked #6

          27.1 cu.ft.101.2 cu.ft.58.7 cu.ft.

          2020 Mini Countryman vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            84.6 cu.ft.17.6 cu.ft.47.6 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.14.1 cu.ft.39.8 cu.ft.82 ft.
            -53.9 cu.ft.69 cu.ft.-
            13.9 cu.ft.17.2 cu.ft.43.6 cu.ft.-
            57.5 cu.ft.20.7 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.-
            2020 BMW X1

            Ranked #6

            13.3 cu.ft.27.1 cu.ft.58.7 cu.ft.-

            2020 Mini Countryman vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1500 lbs.860 lbs.3422 lbs.
              2020 BMW X1

              Ranked #1

              3700 lbs.899 lbs.3554 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1167 lbs.3574 lbs.
              3306 lbs.1179 lbs.3296 lbs.
              2000 lbs.1160 lbs.4127 lbs.
              2000 lbs.1129 lbs.3955 lbs.

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