Name: Mini Countryman (2024 onwards) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mini Countryman
Rating: 68.0

Summary

The Mini Countryman is medium-sized five-door SUV and the largest offering the the Mini range. This is the third-generation model, which is available to order as standard with a petrol mild-hybrid powertrain, alongside an all-electric model which we cover here.

What will be most noticeable for many people is how much larger the new Countryman is compared to the previous model. In fact, it’s longer than a Nissan Qashqai.

British motoring outlets have been largely impressed with the new Countryman so far – the What Car? team says that the Mini “injects some welcome fun into family SUV life”, while Dean Gibson of Auto Express concludes that the Countryman “is a more practical and family-friendly car than ever before.”

As of October 2024, the Mini Countryman has a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 68%. It gets good grades for its media review scores and low tailpipe emissions, while its running costs are also competitive. However, as it’s a brand new model, we don’t yet have any Euro NCAP safety results. It’s also far too early to have any reliability data.

Countryman highlights

Good performance, entry-level model and up
Comfortable and agile
Spacious and flexible interior

Countryman lowlights

Most controls only found on the touchscreen
Rivals offer more boot space
Wind noise at motorway speeds

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV
Engines: petrol
Price: From £29,350 on-road

Launched: Spring 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview (including electric model)
Score: 8 / 10
“The classy interior and high-end technology of the Mini Countryman really help it stand out from its rivals, and it has a cheeky fun character about it that can so often be missing from a family car. In its latest form, the Countryman has grown over its predecessor, so it now offers genuine practicality, while the optional sliding rear seat boosts flexibility whether you need to transport people or luggage.”
Author: Dean Gibson, Max Adams
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Cooper Exclusive
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest Mini Countryman is about as far removed from the original Mini as it’s possible to get in terms of size, but it taps straight into the modern brand’s DNA by offering style by the bucketload. It’s packed with neat touches, and is a more practical and family-friendly car than ever before. Unfortunately, it has also lost Mini’s sense of driving fun along the way.”
Author: Dean Gibson
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Super stylish inside and out and available with petrol or electric power, the new Mini Countryman is as practical as it is good looking.”
Author: Dan Trent
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mini Countryman is spacious, desirable and alternative, but sends mixed messages on family-friendly refinement.”
Author: Matt Saunders
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview (including JCW)
Score: 7 / 10
“Mini has added a big dose of style and practicality to the Countryman and the result will make a far bigger impression on fleet than the generations before it.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Strange technology gimmicks aside, the Mini Countryman is a deeply impressive family SUV. It might only be just practical enough to carry your family around, but it makes up for that with its attractive design, stunning build quality, strong levels of standard equipment and stellar driving experience.”
Author: Luke Wilkinson
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview (including JCW)
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest Mini Countryman is larger and more practical than ever, making it one of the brand’s most compelling models yet. It’s expensive, especially in electric guise, but with great build quality, comfort and a sense of fun, it will appeal to many buyers. We’d avoid the Countryman JCW, however, which stretches the recipe somewhat too far.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, John McIlroy
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“Mini’s small SUV is bigger than ever and gets a funky, spacious interior, but the circular infotainment screen and textile upholstery could prove too quirky for some.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview (including JCW)
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mini Countryman has a lot going for it in terms of style, tech, and most notably, practicality: the cabin is absolutely huge. It’s perhaps not the high-quality product that many will be expecting, and the driving experience is capable rather than exceptional, but there’s no arguing with its style.”
Author: Ivan Aistrop
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mini Countryman isn’t quite as practical as its closest rivals, but it makes up for that with its engaging driving experience, spacious seating, beautifully assembled interior and quirky character. It’s a sensible family car that doesn’t take itself too seriously – and we love it for that reason.”
Author: Luke Wilkinson
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new mild hybrid entry-level Mini Countryman is a fine family hauler, thanks to a fair turn of speed, good economy and a posh-feeling interior.”
Author: Andrew English
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Mini Countryman is fit for purpose and then some. It’s roomy, versatile, and in JCW form a spirited enough performer.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With a huge dose of style and a range of strong engines, the latest Mini Countryman injects some welcome fun into family SUV life. Thankfully, it also covers the basics, with a good combination of space and versatility. It isn’t perfect, though, with a flawed driving position and too many hard interior plastics.”
Author: Lawrence Cheung
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of October 2024, the Mini Countryman has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of October 2024, the Mini Countryman has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the battery-powered ‘Countryman E’ is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the new Mini Countryman to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Countryman, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	46 mpg	C	35 – 48 mpg	C – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	139 g/km	B	133 – 180 g/km	A – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	22	A	–	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£250	B
Year 2	£593	B
Year 3	£947	B
Year 4	£1,199	B
Year 5	£1,568	B
Overall	£4,557	B

The Mini Countryman should be a fairly inexpensive car to own and run, according to ownership data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Servicing and insurance bills should be very competitive compared to cars of similar size and budget, although fuel consumption – which the biggest cost for most people – is only middling.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Mini Countryman Electric

As of October 2024, we are not aware of any outstanding DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Mini Countryman Electric. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.

You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Mini dealer.