Small SUVs don’t tend to be too much fun to drive, but the Mini Countryman begs to differ. It has crisp handling and grunty turbo power—especially when built up to JCW spec. It’s a 7 on the TCC scale.
It can be, but don’t look to go too far off road. These aren’t proper four-wheelers.
How fast is the Mini Countryman?
Base versions send just 134 hp to the wheels, which Mini says means a lethargic 9.6-second run to 60 mph with all-wheel drive. The better choice here is the S version, which trades the turbo-3 for a turbo-4 rated at a hearty 189 hp. Look for 60 mph in just over seven seconds.
Speed demons will definitely want the John Cooper Works, which is the biggest, costliest, and fastest Mini in the range. Its 301-hp turbo-4 rushes this small SUV to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.
The pricey Countryman SE combines the turbo-3 with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, which means 221 hp and a 6.5-second 60-mph run.
So long as you’re not tempted by the biggest wheels, these models have a comfortable, composed ride and quick-witted steering. Their firm suspensions can be tiring on pockmarked roads, but they lend Countrymans (Countrymen?) a sporty feel. JCW models ratchet things up considerably, for nearly track-ready handling in a somewhat practical package.
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