Assembling the autos
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An all-new MINI Countryman went on sale in 2024, but here we’re looking at the second generation of MINI’s least-mini model, sold between 2016 and 2023. A more characterful alternative to the likes of the Audi Q2, BMW X1 or Mercedes GLA, it blends MINI’s take on driving fun with a practical cabin that’s suitable for family life.
It manages that balance better than you might expect too, and with the new model now on sale, it’s also a good time to look at the outgoing car as there are some useful savings to be made on used models, even though they still feel pretty up-to-date and offer everything from plug-in hybrid powertrains to feature-packed infotainment systems. Read on to find out more about the Countryman.
Most small SUVs blend into the background a bit, but not the MINI Countryman. With its styling still at least partly inspired by the 1950s city car from which the whole brand takes its name, its wide-eyed headlights and retro-inspired touches give buyers something to latch onto. Inside and out, it’s one of the more distinctive cars in this class.
The Countryman isn’t all form over function either. It also adopts other MINI characteristics, like being pretty good to drive, with sharp handling and some punchy engine options, and at the same time, while it’s not exactly ‘mini’ in size, it’s far from being the largest or bulkiest family SUV either, so it’s not too difficult to park or manoeuvre around town.
MINI’s premium positioning means equipment and quality levels are both pretty high too, and the company’s personalisation remains about the widest on the market. As a used buyer you don’t get to pick your colours and trim options of course, but this still means plenty of variety if you’re looking at a Countryman that’s a few years old.
The Countryman’s premium-badged rivals include the Audi Q2, the BMW X1 (which actually shares its underpinnings with the Countryman), and the Mercedes GLA, while non-premium alternatives include everything from the strong-selling Nissan Qasqhai, to the fantastic value proposition that is the Dacia Duster.
While diesel power has fallen out of fashion there’s still an argument to be made for the Cooper D and Cooper SD if you want to maximise economy for a relatively low up-front cost compared to the plug-in hybrids, but the latter will make the most sense if you spend a lot of time in town and have somewhere to regularly charge. Most families though will be perfectly well-served by the Cooper with its turbocharged 1.5-litre engine, which still does 0-62mph in under ten seconds and promises mid-40s economy.
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Classic trim also nets plenty of equipment despite it being the base model, so don’t feel you have to look further up the range to get all the essentials - and the likelihood is the original owner ticked a few more option boxes to improve the spec or personalise the car too.
Models like the Cooper and Cooper S used to be their own trim levels but more recently, you can pick more or less any of the engines mentioned above and then embellish them with one of the trim levels below, so you could have a regular Cooper in Exclusive trim or a Cooper S in slightly less plush Classic form. It sounds confusing, but certainly gives buyers plenty of choice, and it gives used buyers a chance to hunt for the ideal combination too. MINI always offers plenty of personalisation, so even equivalent models may be specified quite differently.
The MINI Countryman’s exterior dimensions are:
The MINI Countryman’s boot size is:
A handful of MINI Countryman variants might just have cost more than £40,000 when new, and these models will cost quite a lot to tax if they’re between two and six years old, with a surcharge taking the annual VED up to £600, or £590 for the hybrids. The rest of the range will set you back £190 per year, or £10 less for the hybrid models.
Insurance for the MINI Countryman starts in group 17, which gets you the Cooper with its 1.5-litre petrol engine, and Classic trim. Models with the automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive or Exclusive trim rise to group 18. The Cooper S starts in group 24, and plug-in hybrids in group 26. The John Cooper Works tops the pile in group 33.
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£26,814
What is the most popular colour for MINI Countryman ?
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What is the average mileage for MINI Countryman ?
21442
How many MINI Countryman cars are available for sale?
513
