- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
141kW, 280Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 6.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2023 Mini Countryman Cooper S Mini Yours review
It’s the small SUV championing quirkiness and style, but can the 2023 Mini Countryman deliver on the basics?
- Feels very well built
- Entertaining turbo flutter, exhaust grumble
- Roomy cabin
- Various ergonomic flaws
- Thirsty powertrain
- Lacklustre outputs
2023 Mini Countryman Cooper S
To choose any Mini over a more conventional alternative, you have to be at least a little bit quirky. There’s nothing wrong whatsoever with such a quality, but it’s a defined and conscious choice to choose a 2023 Mini Countryman Cooper S over one of its small luxury SUV rivals, such as a Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1 or Volvo XC40.
Mini’s particular brand of style finds a strong, passionate audience. But the BMW sub-brand isn’t expressly known for its elevated luxury, impressive practicality, or tech-infused interiors. The Countryman small SUV was designed to combat those aspersions.
With the model now getting on in age (it’s now six years old without a major update), we’re keen to see how this unique option fares within its segment. Especially as we’re on the cusp of an all-new model following the introduction of the 2024 Mini Hatch.
How much does the Mini Countryman cost in Australia?
To give it its full name, this review focuses on the 2023 Mini Countryman Cooper S Mini Yours. What a mouthful. But wait, it gets even more confusing…
Within the Mini Countryman range, there are four variants to choose from: the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE (plug-in) Hybrid and John Cooper Works. These variants determine the drivetrain you get under the skin.
In addition, there’s also a choice of trim level such as Classic, Mini Yours, JCW Sport and Untamed.
To set it aside from the rest of the range, the Mini Yours specification includes Piano Black exterior highlights, enhanced paint, upholstery and wheel options, a black headliner inside the cabin, electric seat adjustment, panoramic sunroof, sun protection glazing, and a head-up display.
Where the entry-level Countryman variants start from $48,850 before on-road costs, our Countryman Cooper S Mini Yours costs $63,950 before on-road costs.
For that price it’s also kitted out with wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, wireless phone charging, power tailgate, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, and a Harman Kardon sound system.
Power is supplied by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that outputs 141kW/280Nm to the front wheels only. It utilises a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Key details | 2023 Mini Countryman Cooper S |
Price | $63,950 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | White Silver metallic |
Options | Mini Yours styling options – No extra cost - Jet Black roof and mirrors - Black bonnet stripes - Carbon Black Leather Lounge interior - Piano Black illuminated interior highlights - 19-inch Turnstyle Spoke alloy wheels |
Price as tested | $63,950 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $70,202 (Melbourne) |
Rivals | Audi Q3 | BMW X1 | Mercedes-Benz GLA |
How much space does the Mini Countryman have inside?
Interior-wise, the Mini Countryman is a fun place to be. The circular design of the centre stack not only looks nice, but it’s also easy to get your head around and the simple old-school switchgear ensures there’s no fuss about changing things on the fly.
The leather upholstery and seat shape are firm, but there is a quality feel to the seats and there’s enough support from the lounge-like pews.
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But not every part of the Mini’s cabin is straightforward. In fact, a lot of it is compromised, and is in dire need of an update. Annoyances begin with reaching out and adjusting things such as the rear-view mirror, which is bloody far to reach even if you’re near my 194cm-tall height.
Likewise, the steering wheel buttons protrude too far from the steering wheel, almost as if there’s negative dish there. You inadvertently end up pressing buttons while manoeuvring the car.
Within the same area is the small digital instrument cluster, which sits offset from the driver’s eye line and appears with a slight tilt. Quite disappointing for such an established manufacturer. Ergonomic issues continue when you try to open the door and awkwardly contort your hand backwards to get the right purchase on the door release.
Storage is fairly limited around the centre console – the lidded bin houses a wireless phone charger, there’s an open space below the fold-up console, and there’s a spot for two cupholders and a thin pocket in front.
The second row contains a nice amount of space for a small SUV, and there’s a tall enough roof line so you don’t need to stoop your head. Leg room and foot room are decent.
Further back, a power tailgate opens to reveal a 450L boot. It can expand to 1390L with the seats folded 40:20:40, while there are handy luggage nets near the wheel wells, an underfloor storage space, and a cargo blind too.
2023 Mini Countryman Cooper S | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 450L seats up 1390L seats folded |
Length | 4297mm |
Width | 1822mm |
Height | 1557mm |
Wheelbase | 2670mm |
Does the Mini Countryman have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Touchscreen infotainment is nested within the circular dash, though it’s a noticeably letterboxed display by today’s standards. Measuring 8.8 inches diagonally, there are myriad other brands offering more screen real estate. As well, it’s the older-style BMW-derivative layout which, while old, is dead easy to operate.
The graphics are colourful and a high definition for functions like maps, while button shortcuts (and rotary controller) are found on the centre console rotary controller to make switching between functions easy.
Smartphone mirroring capability is available – I used wireless Apple CarPlay – though there were instances where the connectivity dropped out. This has been a typical issue for similar BMW products too, in my experience.
The Mini infotainment offers digital radio, Bluetooth phone connectivity, satellite navigation, and online connectivity for weather and news. Mini Connected allows owners to link to their car via a paired smartphone with services like vehicle location, remote lock/unlock, cabin pre-cooling, and more.
Is the Mini Countryman a safe car?
Mini last achieved a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating for the Countryman in 2017, but it only applied to diesel variants that no longer sell in Australia. At any rate, this rating would have expired in December 2023.
With ANCAP rolling out progressively stricter criteria year by year, past results aren't directly comparable with ratings issued to current vehicles.
2023 Mini Countryman Cooper S | |
ANCAP rating | Unrated |
What safety technology does the Mini Countryman have?
Despite the lack of a current ANCAP safety rating, that does not mean the Mini Countryman Cooper S Mini Yours is unsafe. There’s a suite of active and passive safety systems included, even with the base-specification Cooper Classic.
With the Mini Yours, the Countryman Cooper S gets autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, pre-conditioned emergency braking system, parking assistant with front and rear sensors, and lane-departure warning.
It also gets two ISOFIX positions for the rear seats, and six airbags distributed throughout the cabin.
How much does the Mini Countryman cost to maintain?
Mini buyers are now covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty for Mini cars. The British marque has been one of the latest manufacturers to subscribe to the widely accepted industry minimum.
This is accompanied by a three-year roadside assistance coverage that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The brand offers upfront purchasing for a five-year/80,000km service package, which costs $2020. This is less expensive than rivals including the Mercedes-Benz GLA ($2550, three years) and Volvo XC40 ($3000, five years). Unlike other manufacturers that stipulate when a car should be brought in for maintenance, Minis will automatically let the driver know when a service is required.
An estimate for comprehensive insurance for the Countryman Cooper S Mini Yours comes out to $1492 per year on a comparative quote based on a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance | 2023 Mini Countryman Cooper S |
Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
Service intervals | Condition-based |
Servicing costs | $2020 (5 years) |
Is the Mini Countryman fuel-efficient?
In terms of fuel use, the Mini Countryman Cooper S is claimed to use 6.7 litres per 100km of fuel on a combined cycle.
This didn’t equate in my testing. I achieved an 8.3L/100km usage in my time with the car, which was spent on a majority highway cycle.
Fuel Consumption - brought to you by bp
Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 6.7L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 8.3L/100km |
Fuel type | 95-octane premium unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 51L |
What is the Mini Countryman like to drive?
Praise is often heaped on Mini hatches for their go-kart handling qualities and zippy powertrains. With 141kW/280Nm outputs derived from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in such a diminutive-sized body, it’d be hard not to have a bit of fun. But that praise is best kept to the smaller hatch Minis rather than the portly, 255kg-heavier Mini Countryman S SUV.
There is no increased power output despite the heavier kerb weight, and the Countryman is left feeling held back by tepid power outputs despite the sporty S badging. It makes all the right noises – there’s satisfying turbo flutter off-throttle and a grumbly exhaust out the back, but it’s not matched by entertaining acceleration.
The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox does a competent job of selecting the right gears itself, but it’s also a fun one for the driver to manually cycle through the gears via the steering wheel-mounted paddles. Shifts are quick and eager, and will the driver to cycle up and down through the rev range themselves.
Ride control is firm for a luxury SUV. Sure, this is one with a sporting bent, but the unwavering rigidity of the Countryman S’s suspension set-up jolts the cabin as it rolls over speedhumps and road joins.
It’s a simple thing to see out of, though, thanks to that tall glasshouse and a lofty driving position that ensures it’s easy to see over the bonnet and out onto the road ahead. This outward vision is especially appreciated when manoeuvring the car into a parking space.
A light steering feel plays into the car’s simple manoeuvrability, and the classic darty handling character makes it a fun car to tip into back-to-back corners.
The Mini Countryman Cooper S Mini Yours includes a stop-and-go adaptive cruise-control system that keeps an appropriate distance to the car in front, but does not include a lane-centring function. There were several instances where the cruise-control system malfunctioned while on test (with no apparent reason given) and would not turn back on, even as regular cruise control.
Key details | 2023 Mini Countryman Cooper S |
Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
Power | 141kW @ 6000rpm |
Torque | 280Nm @ 1350–4600rpm |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
Power-to-weight ratio | 97.3kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1480kg |
Spare tyre type | None, run-flat tyres |
Tow rating | 1500kg braked 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 11.4m |
Should I buy a Mini Countryman?
Minis often get by on reputation. They’re whimsical and fun, and for better or worse that’s a lot of the reason why buyers gravitate towards the brand. But with product that’s now in its sixth year on sale, and in the face of updated competition, the experience is beginning to tire.
The interior ticks some of the equipment boxes you want to see in a premium car, and the build quality is completed to a high level. But there are ergonomic annoyances that will no doubt irk owners over time.
There are elements of joy found in the driving experience, but overall the drive feels held back by an undercooked powertrain. That could be a disappointment for some buyers.
It’s a car that rightly sits within the prestige small SUV market and offers a unique take on what that should look like, but there are now multiple other models to choose from that could be a better fit, even without the funky styling.