2021 MINI Countryman

The 2021 Countryman is the largest vehicle in Mini's lineup. But, as with all things Mini, that's a relative term — the Countryman is about the same size as other automakers' smallest SUVs. The upside to its small size is its nimble nature; the Countryman is more entertaining to drive than plenty of other SUVs. It's also stylish, with lots of retro touches that hark back to classic Mini Coopers.

Mini has given the Countryman a number of rolling updates since this newest generation debuted for the 2017 model year. For 2021, the Countryman gets revised exterior styling, a newly available digital gauge cluster and new special Oxford Edition trim. Most of the rest carries over, including the sporty John Cooper Works edition and the Countryman SE Hybrid plug-in hybrid.

The Countryman occupies an unusual place in the market. It's priced higher than other SUVs its size, such as the Buick Encore GX and Hyundai Kona, but in return it has a more upscale interior and greater performance potential. You might also consider the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLB; they're roomier and more luxurious but also more expensive. We do suggest shopping around to learn what style of SUV fits your needs best, but overall the Countryman should easily satisfy.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds spent a year with a 2018 Mini Countryman SE Hybrid. While the Countryman has received a number of updates since our test ended, most of our impressions and observations still hold true. We found the Countryman to be quick and relatively fun to drive, though as a whole it left us wanting a little more.