Best Mini Cooper Countryman Years

When the first Mini Cooper Countryman debuted in late 2010, it was, to say the least, an interesting step for the brand to take.

A lot of the Mini’s character at the time came from its unique size and design. The Countryman was the largest vehicle Mini had ever made, and it only grew bigger from there.

Despite a somewhat rocky start rebelling against its brand’s titular feature, the Countryman has grown into its place on the Mini lineup. Here are some of our favorite standout years and models from the Mini Countryman series:

2013 Mini Countryman John Cooper Works (JCW) ALL4

The 2011 Mini Countryman car faced a tepid reception. It was too large to be a proper Mini at the time, but it was also too snug for its hefty price tag. In addition, it had shivery suspension and didn’t feel as tightly tuned as its smaller counterparts, according to Car and Driver.

By 2013 though, BMW created the formula for greatness.

The 2013 Mini Countryman JCW ALL4 hit a good balance between utility and sportiness. Its 1.6-liter turbo four engine had lots of power to give. Plus, with BMW’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system, it handled like a dream, offering tight controls the whole way.

The Mini’s JCW models had previously been plagued by jarring suspensions. The 2013 Countryman JCW ALL4 was one of the first times the JCW version of a Mini managed to deliver speed and power without rattling its driver.

• Engine Specs: 1.6L inline-4 turbocharged and intercooled
• Power: 208 hp @ 6000 rpm
• Torque: 207 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm
• 0 to 60 time: 6.8 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 15.4 seconds
• Top Speed: 131 mph

2016 Mini Countryman S

The 2016 Mini Countryman S is small for a crossover SUV, but that’s not exactly a downside.

The 2016 Countryman S has the Classic Mini charm in a slightly bigger form. It has a decently sized back seat, excellent safety features, and a turbocharged engine that doesn’t come with the base 2016 model. BMW’s ALL4 is also available on the 2016 Countryman S if you’re looking for a smidge more control on your daily drives.

The 2016 Countryman S is highly customizable and is significantly cheaper than the only marginally better JCW model from the same year. Moreover, because 2016 was the year before the 2017 redesign, there were plenty of 2016 models put up for sale only a year into use.

This model remains relatively affordable to this day, making it a popular choice if you want a more modern Mini Countryman without a hefty price tag.

• Engine Specs: 1.6L inline-4 turbocharged and intercooled
• Power: 181 @ 5500 rpm
• Torque: 177 @ 1600 rpm
• 0 to 60 time: 6.9 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 15.4 seconds
• Top Speed: 135 mph

2018 Mini Countryman S ALL4

The Mini Countryman line continued to improve through its third generation with the 2018 Mini Countryman S ALL4. Even the base model was lauded for agile handling and spacious, upscale interiors.

While the base model’s engine was adequate, the S and JCW models really put some punch under this Mini’s hood.

By this point, the Mini Countryman had accepted its role as the maxi Mini. It carried the Mini brand and style with pride, offering roomy and comfortable interiors combined with the Mini’s signature perky handling and performance.

Its 2.0-liter turbo engine paired well with its agile steering, and we don’t think its playful colorways will ever go out of style. We’re willing to argue that by embracing its identity, the 2018 Mini Countryman S ALL4 gained more character than the line had lost when it went big.

• Engine Specs: 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged and intercooled
• Power: 189 @ 5000 rpm
• Torque: 207 @ 1350 rpm
• 0 to 60 time: 3.6 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 15.6 seconds
• Top Speed: 138 mph

2020 Mini Countryman JCW ALL4

Once you see the clown face on the 2020 Mini Countryman JCW ALL4, it’s hard to ignore. Still, the line had quite the refresh in 2020.

Finally crossing over 300 horsepower is nothing to scoff at. With more power under the hood, the 2020 Mini Countryman JCW ALL4 has a dedicated Sport mode that gives you the edge when passing other drivers or simply enjoying a bit more oomph to your daily commute.

Still, the 2020 Countryman JCW’s Comfort driving mode has its own merits. Less frantic shifts and a more comfortable suspension experience make the 2020 Mini Countryman JCW ALL4 an excellent daily driver.

• Engine Specs: 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged and intercooled
• Power: 301 hp @ 6250 rpm
• Torque: 331 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
• 0 to 60 time: 4.4 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 13.1 seconds
• Top Speed: 144 mph

2025 Mini Countryman JCW ALL4

Finally, we have one of the newest additions to the Mini Countryman line, the 2025 Mini Countryman JCW ALL4.

This Countryman is the largest Mini ever produced, but it still has a ton of the Mini charm like its round instrument cluster and playful red trim. It’s a tad slower than its predecessors, but it can still pass with relative ease.

There’s even more good news for JCW model fans. The 2025 Countryman JCW is geared up to be the most comfortable JCW model so far. No more sacrificing your poor bones whenever you switch to Sports mode. BMW borrowed a JCW-tuned Adaptive M suspension from its BMW X1 M35i, providing glorious progressive dampening.

The 2025 Mini Countryman JCW ALL4 also doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has a Go-Kart mode that makes a “Yahoo!” sound effect. If the 2018 Countryman embraced its identity, the 2025 Countryman owned it.

• Engine Specs: 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged direct-injected
• Power: 312 hp @ 5,750 rpm
• Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
• 0 to 60 time: 4.9 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 13.6 seconds
• Top Speed: 155 mph

The Mini Countryman line has come a long way from being the traditional Mini’s awkward larger brother. It’s only been an odd 15 years, and yet it’s taken on a personality all its own without losing many of the classic Mini charms. We can’t wait to see where the Mini Countryman goes from here.