The 2021 Mini Cooper Countryman S was unveiled in December 2020, a premium crossover SUV sporting a retro design and an up scaled interior. This Mini seems to be raring to hold its own against the current roster of premium crossovers in the market. Being a larger than usual Mini, it sure does maintain the sort of character and overall aesthetics that’s to be expected from the company. The Countryman S does a lot in terms of character, but what about its drive-feel? What more does this supersized Mini offer to buyers?
We’ve looked into many different reviews, comments, and data to bring you our own review of the 2021 Mini Cooper Countryman S. Here, we’ll go over its specs, features, and everything you need to know before buying one for yourself.
The 2021 Countryman S makes use of a 2-Liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine. It gives it just the right power to let the SUV cruise along the pavement. Both the FWD and AWD Countryman S models produces 189 horsepower at 5000 RPMs, outputting a 207 pounds-feet of torque.
The front-wheel and all-wheel models differ with their transmission. The FWD Countryman S uses a 7-speed AT Transmission, sending power to the wheels at the front. The AWD Countryman S swaps it out with an 8-speed AT Transmission. There is no model with an option for manual transmission, but the automatics do have a Manual Mode for those interested.
This allows the Countryman S to really shine on road trips, propelling it from 0 to 60 mph in only 7.2 seconds. Those going for the all-wheel drive models will see better acceleration, going to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. It can feel sluggish if not on its Sports mode, which remaps the up shifts to give the car some more power when the throttle is down.
Even with that, it’s ride-feel is quite excellent. The Active Suspension System helps to take the shocks and bumps out of the road, giving riders a smooth ride. The handling of the Countryman S is impressive, taking corners easily even while the throttle is down. The brakes pedals are firm, but have a long dead spot at the top. It might take some buyers a lot to get used to it, but the 4-wheel Disc brakes get the job done.
The exterior of the Countryman S has been completely revamped and stylized to fit with a more modern look. Some new wheel designs are available, along with new colors to choose from. New LED fog lights have been installed, along with a ring of DRLs that are also turn indicators. The taillights form a Union Jack pattern, a small homage to the company’s heritage.
The interior of the Countryman S has also been revamped, giving the infotainment system’s housing a stylish gloss-black look. The interior seems to be following a circular design style, with the 8.8-inch touchscreen display surrounded by the glossy-black circular housing on base models. It even comes with a panoramic sunroof for when you just want the warm summer rays to hit your face.
Mini has also been upgrading the SUV with some much-needed integrations, such as functionality with Amazon’s Alexa. Voice commands are now possible, allowing you to utilize it without having to take your hands off the wheel.
All these wrap up the new additions to the Crossover SUV, which does seem like a lot. However, one can’t help to notice the lack of support for services like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and any form of Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
The EPA rating for the FWD Countryman S sits at 24 MPG/City and 33 MPG/Highway. The AWD Countryman S sits lower on the ratings, with 23 MPG/City and 31 MPG/Highway.
For a newer model, it lacks many driver-assistance systems that are becoming standard these days. It does have forward-collision warning systems, automated braking for emergencies, adaptive cruise control, and a self-parking assistance system. Reviewers are skeptical about that automatic emergency brake system, as one test showed that it only slowed it down by 7 mph when tested at 12 and 25 mph.
The 2021 iteration of this cute crossover SUV does have a lot of flaws. It definitely is trading some of the perks of being a smaller car with a more rugged driving experience that’s similar to its competitors. The lack of certain features like Android Auto integration might put off some people.
However, it does have its pros as well. The handling is absolutely smooth, giving off the same fun ride experience that we’ve come to expect from the company. It’s interior, with all the retro-looks and the high-quality materials it’s made of, is one of the best in its class. Lastly, the absolute charm and character of this crossover is always a treat. The Countryman S starts at the price of $32,750*.