2024 Mini Countryman C Classic review

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2024 Mini Countryman C Classic

Mini is no longer the small and quirky brand you would flock to if you wanted an old-school throwback vehicle.

Sure, its design is still retro, but every successive generation under BMW's ownership has grown in size, practicality, and sophistication for the broadest appeal possible.

And nowhere is this more apparent than with the new 2024 Countryman, a small SUV that wants to be both quirky and spacious for young, hip couples or small families that still value a bit of style and flair.

But is the Countryman more than just a flashy styling exercise? Or does it offer the same levels of luxury, driving engagement, and panache as rivals such as the Audi Q2, Volvo XC40, or Lexus UX?

How much is a Mini Countryman?

Mini's new Countryman line-up is available in various flavours, starting at $49,990 before on-road costs for the C Core variant.

On test, I have the C Classic, priced at $52,990 before on-road costs, which is powered by a 115kW/230Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine.

Paired with the engine is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which sends drive to the front wheels for a zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 9.0 seconds.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, a blue and black-coloured cloth interior, powered tailgate, keyless entry, push-button (well, switch-turning) start, dual-zone climate control, front sports seats with heating, LED exterior lights, a panoramic glass roof, and sports steering wheel with heating.

Looking at engine outputs, the Countryman C Classic isn't great value for performance or equipment, but buyers can also spend more for the more potent 150kW/300Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine found in the S variants, or the 233kW/400Nm tune of the JCW – with prices rising to at least $58,990 and $67,990 respectively.

But where the Countryman doesn't offer great value or performance for the money, it finds its appeal with outright style and panache.

Balancing retro styling with modernism, the Countryman simply looks like nothing else on the road.

The classic Mini design elements are there, with Union Jacks found on the tail-lights and the C-pillars, and the more closed-off front end hints at the all-electric powertrain available in some variants.

Its tall, boxy aesthetic is also softened with curves and cutesiness, so you either love the quirkiness of the Countryman, or you don't, and that should be a strong factor in your decision-making.

How big is a Mini Countryman?

Measuring 4444mm long, 1843mm wide, 1661mm tall, and with a 2692mm wheelbase, the Mini Countryman is classed as a small SUV, but is on the larger side of the segment.

This makes this Mini model a bit of an oxymoron and is, in fact, Mini's largest model to date.

However, by eschewing the brand's usually diminutive size, it means the Countryman is big enough to fit even a family of four – something I did in my week with the car.

Not that the previous-generation Countryman couldn't, but with the model growing in size and practicality, it makes living the family life a bit easier.

In the front, there is a generous amount of space to sit comfortably, and the fabric seats are both supportive and supple.

I will call out the ergonomics of the steering wheel, though, which I found poor as the rim was too thick for my hands to grip comfortably in a natural position. It made for an awkward driving experience at times because, at the 10 and two positions, the wheel has extra padding so you cannot enclose them in a fist shape for a comfortable grip. Instead, they stay C-shaped like Lego hands.

Yes, you can grip the wheel at three and nine to make things a bit more comfortable, but then the steering wheel controls get in the way. This means there is no way to easily grip the wheel – at least for me – and leads to hand fatigue over long distances.

However, storage options are bountiful up front, including generous door pockets, an underarm storage cubby, and a large tray between the front passengers.

The Countryman also has an – what best can be described as – enclosed storage box in the centre console that can be used to hide items you don't want rattling around the cabin.

I will also make mention of the rear doors in particular, as they are on the shorter side and open wide, meaning you have a generous aperture to slide the kids in and out of their car seats, even in tighter spaces.

In the rear, there are two ISOFIX points in the outboard seats, as well as three top-tether points in the backrests.

But without child seats in place, the second row affords even 185cm-tall adults like myself with plenty of leg and shoulder room to get comfortable.

However, it's headspace where the Mini Countryman really shines, as there are acres of room from the top of my head to the roof, even with the test car's panoramic glass roof.

It's almost too much. Like the Countryman could be a touch shorter, which would better help with weight distribution and still comfortably fit the vast majority of passengers.

But on the other hand, it's nice to know that even people taller than me will be able to fit comfortably in the Countryman.

Back-seat amenities include bottle holders in the door, back-seat map pockets, air vents, and a fold-down centre armrest.

The back seats also stand out in this segment because they feature 40:20:40 split-folding, which is much more flexible than the usual 60:40 ratio, and allows skinny, narrow items like skis or long timber from Bunnings to fit while still seating four.

This generosity of space also extends to the boot, which can swallow 505 litres of cargo with all seats in place, meaning prams, groceries and more can easily be accommodated.

Fold the seats down, however, and the volume swells to 1530L, making it even easier to transport large and bulky items.

Does the Mini Countryman have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

The defining characteristic of the Countryman's interior is the massive 240mm (9.4-inch) circular infotainment touchscreen, which has functionality for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In fact, without a traditional instrument cluster, all vehicle functions are housed in the infotainment system.

As an OLED screen, the same high-end display technology found in top-tier smartphones and TVs, the Countryman's screen is stunning thanks to deep blacks and colours that pop.

And Mini has taken advantage of this too, thanks to various themes that will change screen colour and the car's driving characteristics.

The system also houses digital radio and inbuilt satellite navigation.

However, when using Android Auto, the software doesn't take full advantage of the screen, instead being letterboxed in the middle of the circle.

There's also a wireless smartphone charger to complement the wireless smartphone connectivity, while the sound system is output to a six-speaker system.

Unique to the Mini Countryman is a wide-angle interior camera that can be used to take selfies or videos of occupants in the car.

Mini owners can download the Mini Connected app, which allows you access to your vehicle’s statistics, information and journey planning all before stepping in the car.

Is the Mini Countryman a safe car?

The 2024 Mini Countryman is yet to be crash-tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, and therefore does not have an official crash-test rating.

What safety technology does the Mini Countryman have?

Without an official ANCAP safety rating, buyers will need to turn to the standard safety equipment list to assess suitability, but the 2024 Mini Countryman falls a little short here.

All versions of the Mini SUV feature autonomous emergency braking (AEB), cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot warning, automatic high beams, rear cross-traffic alert, exit warning, driver attention alert and a reversing camera, which is lacking when compared to cars that cost less and offer more.

Spending at least $50,000 on a new model in 2024 with missing safety features such as adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition that is offered in entry-level hatchbacks from the likes of Mazda and Toyota is egregious.

However, stepping up to the Classic grades adds adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist, and a surround-view monitor, which is also mirrored with the top-spec Favoured – somewhat alleviating the issue.

In my time with the car, all safety systems functioned as expected with none of the systems being overzealous with warnings.

How much does the Mini Countryman cost to run?

Like all new Mini models, the Countryman comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, matching the industry standard.

This means Mini offers the same assurance period as Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Audi

Scheduled service intervals are conditional-based, as determined by the Countryman C Classic.

However, Mini also offers a bundled capped-price service program for the first five years of ownership, or 80,000km, that will run customers a total of $2275 for maintenance.

To insure, the 2024 Mini Countryman C Classic will cost $1832 based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

Is the Mini Countryman fuel-efficient?

Officially, the Mini Countryman C Classic returns a fuel economy figure of 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres, but in my time with the car, I averaged 8.5L/100km.

My primary use case was during peak-hour commuting into Melbourne's inner city, as well as the daily run to childcare.

With more freeway driving, the Countryman C Classic no doubt would come closer to its claimed fuel economy figure, but as it stands, my figure is 25 per cent more than the claimed number.

What is the Mini Countryman like to drive?

Mini's reputation has always been to offer fun-to-drive, go-kart-like handling characteristics, but surely this would be dulled the most in a high-riding SUV like the new Countryman?

Well, yes to an extent, but the Countryman retains a level of dynamic athleticism rarely seen in the SUV space.

For starters, the steering feels well weighted and communicative, and despite its front-wheel-drive underpinnings, the suspension offers a level of responsiveness that is welcomed in a practical family SUV like the Countryman.

However, the tall ride height does introduce a little sway and wobble during cornering – not unexpected or unwelcome in a small SUV like this, but notable nonetheless.

The quality of the ride and the ability of the Countryman to absorb Melbourne's uneven (often terrible) roads is also admirable, and occupants in both rows should be happy with the level of comfort on offer.

But, the biggest shortcoming for the Countryman C Classic is easily its engine, as the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder feels undercooked.

With only 115kW/230Nm propelling a circa-1500kg SUV, the Countryman C Classic is certainly not quick, taking 9.0 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100km/h.

Torque steer can also be easily induced in hard acceleration, as all the power and torque are sent exclusively to the front wheels as you wrestle with the steering wheel to keep things pointed straight.

Paired to the engine is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which falls into the same pitfalls as other multi-clutch solutions and can get tripped up at low speeds or when tackling hills.

Going some way to alleviating the lacklustre performance are the various drive modes on offer, including a Go-Kart mode that is accompanied by an audible 'woo-hoo' when switched on.

It sharpens throttle response and steering feel, making the Countryman feel more dynamically engaging, but this Countryman is still let down by the asthmatic powertrain and clunky transmission.

Outside of its sportiness, the Countryman also has an efficiency mode, which displays a hummingbird or a jaguar to represent efficient and inefficient driving respectively.

It's a very neat visual representation of how you are driving, and if you have kids in the back (like I did), they will love the moving graphics across the gorgeous OLED screen.

In my time with the car, I found it was more fun trying to keep the Countryman in the most efficient driving mode rather than trying to explore its dynamic limits.

Ultimately, if you are looking for driving thrills, the Mini Countryman C Classic won't be the right model for you.

There are much more fun and engaging small SUVs out there at this price point, including the Audi Q2, while all-electric models like the Volvo EX30 can offer another option of potent performance.

But if you vibe with the Countryman's styling, at least you know it won't be a complete dud dynamically.

Can a Mini Countryman tow?

The 2024 Mini Countryman C Classic is rated to tow a braked capacity of 2000kg and an unbraked figure of 750kg.

This would afford a trailer, bikes, or even a small caravan, but keep in mind extra weight in the rear will stress the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine.

While we did not tow on this road test, I imagine the 115kW/230Nm output of the Countryman C Classic would struggle with loads close to the braked towing limit.

Payload in the Mini Countryman C Classic is also 575kg, which should be enough for families, and even offers enough capacity in reserve for a full complement of adult passengers, and possibly even some luggage.

Should I buy a Mini Countryman?

The Mini Countryman is a style-first model, through and through – for both good and bad.

If you aren't attracted to the Countryman's vibe or gel with the brand's aesthetics, it doesn't offer anything class-leading in terms of performance, dynamics, practicality or equipment.

But if you do find yourself gravitating towards the Mini, either the brand's styling or ethos, well, there probably isn't any convincing you to buy anything else.

Luckily, the Countryman, even in C Classic form, still offers a level of comfort, capability, and contemporariness that should keep customers content.

How do I buy a Mini Countryman? The next steps.

Mini is showing plenty of stock of its new-generation Countryman, so depending on engine specification, exterior/interior colour, and wheel options, your new Mini awaits.

However, I strongly recommend you see and feel a Countryman in person before committing to purchase, as the styling is the most polarising aspect of the car.

To find your nearest Mini dealership, you can head to this link here, while models from the brand are also viewable on Drive Marketplace.

But if you just want to stay up to date on all the latest Mini news, all stories can be viewed here.

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