2021 Mini Cooper Countryman

Although BMW purchased the Mini brand in the 1990s and modern examples are much larger than their mid-20th century forebears, Mini retains a lot of its retro cool British sensibility. Some vehicles are still assembled in the UK. The sporty Mini Cooper is one of the smallest vehicles on the market, with a go-kart-like character that makes it exceptionally fun to drive. The larger Countryman competes with small SUVs, and John Cooper Works editions add even more power and more raucous handling. Mini sells both gas and electric versions (branded as “SE”) of every vehicle. Manual transmissions are no longer offered. Until recently, Mini had a checkered reliability history—several older models sat near the bottom of our reliability ratings. However, newer Minis have been among the most reliable on the market. Buyers of used models should pay careful attention to which model and year they choose.

The redesigned Countryman is now based on the Clubman and offers Cooper and Cooper S versions. Engine choices are a base 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder and a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder for the S. Front- and all-wheel drives are offered. An all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid version follows, with a promised all-electric range of 24 miles. This SUV-like Countryman has grown longer than the original, bringing in more interior space and flexibility. The optional Mini Driving Assistant system includes forward-collision warning with low-speed automatic emergency braking, pedestrian warning with brake assist, and automatic high beams.