2022 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works ALL4
2022 Mini Countryman Review
- Exterior and interior design sets it apart from competitors
- Uses higher-quality materials than subcompact rivals
- Fun driving experience
- Front seats are confining
- Small cargo area
- Engines require premium fuel
- Minor exterior styling updates
- New digital instrument cluster
- New Oxford special edition
- Part of the second Countryman generation introduced for 2017
It comes as no surprise that Mini's biggest model is little in comparison to its rivals. The 2022 Mini Countryman is a small crossover SUV that offers more passenger and cargo space than any other Mini, but it remains cramped when measured against similarly priced competitors.
Mini says the Countryman will hold five adults, but four will undoubtedly be happier. Cargo volume measures as much as 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with items stacked to the roof. Fold it down, and the Countryman can swallow up to 47.6 cubic feet of whatever you need to haul. This is considerably less than what you can shove into, say, a Mazda CX-5, but the appeal of the Countryman has never been fully tied to utility anyway.
Mini sells four distinctly different versions of this SUV. Each includes a turbocharged engine, but with vastly different power output and performance. All-wheel drive is available, and there is a plug-in hybrid electric version offering about 17 miles of electric range before switching to gas-electric hybrid operation and returning an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in combined driving. Every Countryman is nimble and enjoyable to drive, though the standard engine accelerates sluggishly.
Where the Countryman shines brightest is with regard to its personality and personalization options. There's nothing quite like a Mini Countryman in terms of its exterior and interior design, and if you custom order one, you can combine paint, stripe, wheel, roof, upholstery and trim selections in a way that almost guarantees you won't see another exactly like it.
What's it like to live with?
Edmunds spent a year testing 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.
Which Countryman does Edmunds recommend?
MINI Countryman models
When you shop for a 2022 Mini Countryman, the first thing you need to do is choose from four models: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE Hybrid and John Cooper Works. Each has a unique powertrain and mission to serve.
2022 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works ALL4 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
2022 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works ALL4 Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $41,500
- MPG & Fuel
- 23 City / 30 Hwy / 26 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.1 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: all wheel drive
- Transmission: 8-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 301 hp @ 5200 rpm
- Torque: 331 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 169.7 in. / Height: 61.3 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: 78.8 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 71.7 in.
- Curb Weight: 3688 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 17.6 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Countryman safety features:
- Active Driving Assistant
- Warns you of a possible collision with an object ahead, and can automatically brake if you fail to take action.
- Active Cruise Control
- Keeps a set distance between the Countryman and the vehicle in front when cruise control is active.
- Parking Assistant
- Autonomously steers the Countryman into a parallel parking spot while you operate the transmission, brake and accelerator.
Mini Countryman vs. the competition
2022 Mini Countryman
2022 Buick Encore GX
Mini Countryman vs. Buick Encore GX
Rooted in BMW Group engineering and technology, the Mini Countryman is a better small SUV than the Buick Encore GX. But it's also far more expensive. Where the Countryman's pricing starts, the Buick's ends. At least the Mini has more personality and offers more driving fun than the Buick. Plus, you can choose the plug-in hybrid or JCW performance version of the Countryman, neither of which Buick can match.
Mini Countryman vs. FIAT 500X
Stay with us on this one. Both the Fiat 500X and the Mini Countryman are small, quirky, personality-laden small SUVs with turbocharged engines. One is a British ex-pat by way of Germany, and the other is Italian through and through. The Mini is more rugged-looking, while the Fiat fancies pavement. There's no denying that the Countryman offers a higher level of quality, but it also costs significantly more than the 500X. And when has Italian style ever represented a bargain?
Mini Countryman vs. Mazda CX-30
Mazda is moving upscale, and the window stickers worn by turbocharged versions of the CX-30 demonstrate as much. There is more than mere marketing behind Mazda's shift in philosophy. Thanks to genuine engineering, design and technological substance, the Mazda is a credible premium SUV. But it cannot match the Mini Countryman when it comes to individual personalization. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Mazda CX-30.
People who viewed this also viewed
FAQ
Is the MINI Countryman a good car?
What's new in the 2022 MINI Countryman?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 MINI Countryman:
- Minor exterior styling updates
- New digital instrument cluster
- New Oxford special edition
- Part of the second Countryman generation introduced for 2017
Is the MINI Countryman reliable?
Is the 2022 MINI Countryman a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2022 MINI Countryman?
The least-expensive 2022 MINI Countryman is the 2022 MINI Countryman John Cooper Works ALL4 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $41,500.
Other versions include:
- John Cooper Works ALL4 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $41,500