With one notable distinction, the 2018 Mini Countryman and Mini Cooper have similar powertrains.
We start with an average score and deduct one point for an overworked base engine and give the Countryman a point over average for its agile handling. It receives a five out of ten. (Read more about our car rating system.)
The 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 basic engine produces 134 horsepower. With all-wheel drive and a load capacity of over 3,500 pounds, it naturally runs out of ideas rather quickly. Standard equipment is a 6-speed manual, but for a higher price, front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive models can be equipped with a 6-speed or 8-speed automatic.
In Cooper S Countryman models, the next step up is a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that produces 189 horsepower and can reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Similar to the base engine, front-drive models come with a 6-speed manual transmission, but all-wheel-drive models (referred to as ALL4 by Mini) come with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The top-of-the-line John Cooper Works models for the Countryman have a 228-hp turbo-4, which is standard on the BMW X1 (and gained us an extra point there). In contrast to the BMW, the JCW Countryman comes with a 6-speed manual or, if necessary, an 8-speed automatic. The only available option on JCW variants is all-wheel drive, which is better for it because it keeps the power under control.
The Countryman delivers a snappy drive that is as near to the Cooper as the additional 1,000 pounds will permit thanks to MacPhersons up front and Mini’s tuning magic. The Countryman feels smaller than its large frame might suggest thanks to it.
In less than a second, Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system may transfer power between the front and rear axles, functioning as a front-driver until slip is detected. With a hang-on clutch, it is a sleek mechanism that minimizes parasitic loss, but we would not dare push the Countryman farther than a muddy field.
Mini Cooper S E Countryman ALL4
In contrast to the Cooper, the Countryman has a plug-in hybrid, which is unique for Mini. For a total output of 221 horsepower, it couples the turbo-3 to a 65 kW (87 hp) electric motor and a 7.6 kW battery. It is interesting to note that Mini’s hybrid power system is a through-the-road hybrid system because it does not support the engine; instead, the electric motors just power the back wheels and assist up front.
With its battery pack and back electric motor, the plug-in hybrid model is obviously the heaviest. Although it is still manageable to carry around, the 3-cylinder engine makes it nearly incomparable to the standard Mini Cooper hardtop.
Mini is very clear in its marketing of the Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 as a high-mileage crossover that you never have to plug in if you do not want to, even though it performs admirably as a hybrid Countryman. In contrast to the ratings for BMW cars with less potent electric motors, the 12-mile EPA-rated range is at least credible, but that will enrage electric car enthusiasts.
When the battery is charged, it can move from a stop electrically, if not as quickly as the engine and battery combined, and if you pay attention, it can maintain all-electric power up to highway speeds. Many customers probably will not bother. We had to listen for the sound of the engine turning on because it is sufficiently small and noise-suppressed, and the additional noise was more of a whir coming from outside the firewall than the typical hybrid howl of a little, overworked engine.
