2026 MINI Countryman

After a thorough overhaul last year, the 2026 Mini Countryman casts a larger shadow than it did before. Moreover, we like that, although larger, it didn’t lose a scintilla of its iconic Mini personality. We can’t say enough about its driving dynamics and willingness to bust out of the gate when the light goes green. This is particularly so with the high-performance Countryman JCW. So, there you have the Countyman in a nutshell: personality and eager performance, plus more hauling capacity than any other Mini.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact SUVs, including the Mini Countryman.

After its redesign last year, we don’t anticipate any notable updates.

It’s not even a contest, between its two trim levels, Mini sells more Countryman S models than it does the high-performance JCW. Mini also offers the fully electric Countryman SE, which we detail elsewhere.

Another stylish subcompact SUV with the ability to entertain is the Mazda CX-30, starting around $27,000 — quite a bit less than the Countryman. Or perhaps the Ford Bronco Sport might fit the bill — again, beginning lower than this Mini. Looking at more premium choices, the BMW X1 kicks off in the low $40,000 region, with the Volvo XC40 just below it, and the Audi Q3 below that. The Lexus UX starts in the high $30,000s.

Before buying a new 2026 Countryman SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are average for the subcompact SUV class. Countryman is made in Germany, where we anticipate build quality going up a notch or two, which should positively impact residual worth. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The base version of the new Countryman comes with 241 horsepower and can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. The BMW X1 has the same amount of power, yet is quicker to 60 mph by 0.3 of a second. The top version of the Mazda CX-30 has 250 hp and can hit 60 mph in just under six seconds. But the Countryman is still fast enough for fun.

The thing about Mini vehicles is that they’re engaging to drive — crisp, responsive, and eager. Even though the Countryman is bigger than its regular hatchback stablemate, it’s still a bona fide Mini, and there’s plenty of enjoyment to be had. That goes double in the John Cooper Works model, which has 312 hp — a lot of punch for a small vehicle. It does the 60-mph sprint in just 5.4 seconds.

We especially like the Go-Kart mode (essentially a Sport mode), in which the automatic transmission stays in a lower gear longer, enabling brisk acceleration. The brakes also feel confident at the other end of the performance envelope. We feel obliged to add the JCW version rides on the firm side, so test drive it over some rough surfaces to see if that will work for you. However, the Countryman generally rides nicer on the highway than the smaller, more traditional Mini Cooper hatchback, given its longer wheelbase.

Fuel Economy

The Mini Countryman S returns 24 city/32 highway/27 combined mpg, while the more potent JCW model gets 23 city/30 highway/26 combined mpg. Premium gas is recommended for both, giving the Countryman above-average fuel costs for a small SUV. The closely related BMW X1 xDrive28i provides 28 mpg in combined driving.

The dominant feature in the 2026 Countryman is the large and round (9.4 inches in diameter) infotainment display, now using crisp and vibrant OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology. The system itself has a voice-controlled digital assistant. Say “Hey, Mini,” then give a command like “call home,” and the order is carried out.

Although we’ve found that the head-up display provides vital data directly in front of the driver, a lot of other information is only available on the large screen in the center of the dashboard. We’d prefer a proper instrument cluster, even a small one, for those versions that won’t have the head-up display. The touchscreen also has various modes to scroll through, but drivers will likely settle on one and stick with it.

This new Countryman is almost 2.5 inches taller and more than five inches longer than the previous generation, so there’s more space for passengers and cargo. The luggage area behind the rear seats measures around 16 cubic feet, larger than a typical midsize sedan’s trunk. Fold those seats down to create about 51 cubic feet. If this is an important consideration, keep in mind that the Ford Bronco Sport has much more, as do many other subcompact rivals.

With that sort of wonky hexagon shape, the headlights really look different from any Countryman that’s come before. As we become more familiar with the new design, it seems there’s a kind of Land Rover Defender influence — more squared-off and SUV-like than before.

Otherwise, it seems the new Countryman will continue to offer popular features like the roof and side mirror housings in a contrasting color to the rest of the vehicle, taillights that evoke the British flag, and a choice of cool wheel designs. We like that the Countryman has short overhangs, maximizing space between the wheels and that planted stance, making it look more capable and a bit tougher.

All-wheel drive
All-wheel drive is standard across the new Countryman lineup, providing an extra layer of reassurance in slippery conditions and aiding optimum traction in the dry.

Ambient light
The back of the touchscreen can bathe the surrounding dashboard area in lights of different colors, chosen according to which Experience mode is selected.

Recycled materials
Mini deploys recycled materials in the cabin, a small contribution to sustainability that gets the thumbs-up from us.

Hands-free driving
For the first time, the Countryman offers the option of hands-free driving, but drivers must still keep their eyes on the road.

BMW inspired
Utilizing the platform and turbo four from the BMW X1, the Countryman provides a taste of the BMW experience. Although it has traded off some of its Mini spunkiness for added comfort to appeal more to traditional subcompact SUV shoppers, it retains better-than-average driving dynamics.

OLED infotainment display
The OLED infotainment display is a leap forward in display technology, providing better contrast, faster response time, better color saturation, and less energy consumption than LCD-based screens.

The 2026 Countryman S All4 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 241 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is also in the John Cooper Works Countryman, although this one produces 312 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. In both cases, power runs through a 7-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard.

All things considered, the Countryman delivers more aggressive performance than most of its subcompact SUV rivals.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Mini’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. That’s the typical coverage offered by European automakers.

Safety

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has issued safety ratings for this generation of Countryman. Every Countryman comes with advanced safety tech such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.