2023 MINI Countryman Review

The 2023 Mini Countryman is a stylish compact crossover that's simultaneously the British automaker's largest model and one of the smallest SUVs on the road today. The Countryman's small size does make it less practical than most other SUVs, but in return you get an SUV that's easier to park and maneuver. It's also distinctive inside and out and fun to drive thanks to nimble handling and quick acceleration from the Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions.

Mini also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the Countryman called the SE All4. It provides a short amount of all-electric range — about 17 miles. After that, it switches to typical hybrid operation. It's a neat idea in theory but 17 miles isn't much for a plug-in these days. Plus, once the battery runs out, the SE All4 gets about the same fuel economy as the Cooper S even though it's a hybrid.

The Countryman gets a new special edition for 2023, the so-called Untamed Edition. Like the Resolute Edition and Untold Edition packages available for the Cooper Hardtop and Cooper Clubman, respectively, the Countryman Untamed Edition adds more visual flair to an already stylish vehicle. Also know that Mini stopped offering the base Countryman Cooper, the one with the three-cylinder engine, midway through the 2023 model year as well as the base Classic trim level.

We like the Countryman but its appeal mostly comes down to being different rather than being great. The Buick Encore GX, Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos are more well-rounded picks for an extra-small crossover. For more info on the Mini Countryman, check out our test team's Expert Rating below.

Mini breaks down the 2023 Countryman into four basic versions: Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SE All4 and John Cooper Work. Each one uses a different turbocharged powertrain paired with an automatic transmission. There are also three trim levels — Classic, Signature and Iconic — that dictate the number of standard features that the Countryman has. Here's what you can expect from each.