Used 2018 Mini Countryman Base for sale 

The new Mini Cooper Countryman is a dinky alternative to the conventional crossovers and wagons. There is a substantial list of standard features and a plethora of optional features that allow you to customize the Countryman according to your taste. You get four trims to choose from which include - Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works, and Cooper S E. There is not much change in the features among trims but it's the underhood engine that differentiates them.

Confused? We will help you find the best trim

The base Countryman comes with a decent number of features but many drivers will find its 3-cylinder turbocharged engine underpowered to carry the heft. So, that leaves us with the Cooper S that comes with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and provides quicker acceleration. If you want more power then there are options available in the higher trims but they also carry a premium price tag without adding much to the comfort and convenience.

A 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 that makes 134 horsepower and 162-pound-feet of torque are standard on the base Countryman. It is mated to a standard six-speed manual but can be fitted with a 6 or 8-speed automatic on the front or all-wheel drive version respectively. Next is a 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine which is standard on the Cooper S models. It makes 189 horsepower and 207-pound-feet of torque and is mated to 6-speed manual transmission. However, an 8-speed automatic is optional on front-wheel-drive and standard on all-wheel drive, which the Mini calls ALL4.

Top of the trim John Cooper Works gets a more powerful version of the turbocharged four-cylinder that churns out 228 horsepower and 258-pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is the only option for this 2018 Countryman while a six-speed manual is standard and an eight-speed auto is optional.

For 2018 you can also opt to have a plug-in hybrid version of the countryman that comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 that is mated to a 65 kW (87 hp) electric motor and 7.6-kWh battery that together churns out 221 horsepower and 284-pound-feet of torque. One of the interesting features is that the Mini's hybrid system does not supplement the engine, in fact, it supplements the rear wheels exclusively and helps the front. The Mazda CX-5 is the most powerful in the comparison and offers almost 53 horsepower more than the Mini Countryman. 

2018 Mini Countryman Acceleration

It feels sluggish in moving from a halt and makes 0-60 in 9.3 seconds which is the slowest in the class. However, the Mini beats all when it comes to covering a quarter-mile as it takes 15.5 seconds to cover the distance. The Cooper S although impressive as it takes 7.2 seconds in going to 60-mph.

The Mini Countryman comes with the BMW B38 inline-4 cylinder motor which is used in the BMW i8. This motor is powerful along with the hybrid powertrain, but standing alone it does feel breathless at the top of the rev range. The engine also clatters quite a bit on the highway which creeps into the cabin. The Fiat 500X is the slowest in the category and falls almost a second slower to cross the quarter-mile than the Mini. 

2018 Mini Countryman Braking 

The 4-doored Cooper offers better braking than other mini cars and the pedal feels responsive enough. However, the ride is smooth over uneven pavements. There are different modes that let you tailor your driving dynamics according to your liking. The Brakes feels powerful with a moderate amount of resistance and brings the Countryman to a halt from 60 mph in 117 feet.

The brakes of the Mini Countryman are aided by a host of BMW electronics which include ABS, EBD, and Brake assist. The brake assist feature adds braking pressure at calipers improving the braking performance. The Mazda CX-5 gets the largest brakes in the comparison and offers phenomenal stopping power. However, the CX-5 is comparatively heavier than the competition and takes a massive 135 ft to come to a halt from 60 mph. 

2018 Mini Countryman Ride and Handling

The Mini Countryman handles well compared to other compact crossovers in the segment. The ride is a sport as the steering provides adequate feedback to the driver. The Countryman shows its true BMW DNA in handling. However, the taller stands do add a bit of body roll.

On the highway, the countryman feels composed and offers great ride quality. Although, the Countryman doesn't feel as nimble as other Mini's and there is more body roll than its Mazda rivals. The sophisticated traction control system also keeps the car on the road and offers much confidence from behind the wheel. 

Its fuel economy checks in at 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The turbo-four engine also checks in with the same numbers. These numbers are average for a subcompact SUV. The Countryman S E goes up to 12 miles on electric power alone while getting 65 mpg-e combined. It gets a 27-mpg combined with gasoline power.

The 2018 Mini Cooper is one of the most fuel-efficient luxury crossovers in the business. However, the Fiat 500X is the most fuel-efficient in the category and returns a massive 33 MPG on the highway. The 3-cylinder motor in the Mini is tuned for performance and hence the fuel economy is low compared to the rest of the cars that have a similar powertrain. 

Large seats bolster makes getting in and out of the car difficult. The front driver's seats meanwhile offer ample adjustments ensuring a good driving position for drivers of any size. Large windows make for a good view of the road both in the front and rear. Most of the controls are within reach from toggle switches to the infotainment system controls.

It can seat five where both the rows have plenty of headroom, though some may find the seats to be confined due to the large side bolsters. Both the rows also offer a handsome amount of legroom. There are two sets of LATCH connectors for installing child safety seats and are easy to use.

Some interior features in the new Mini are:

• Leatherette upholstery
• Sliding, reclining, and split-folding rear seats
• Heated seats (Optional)
• Sport seats (Optional)
• Eight-way power-adjustable front seats with memory setting (Optional)

2018 Mini Countryman Cargo Space

The Wagon offers 17.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 47.6 cubic feet behind the second row. Meanwhile, its hybrid model checks in with 17.2 cubic feet behind the second row and 47.4 with them folded. Class rivals have more cargo space and even the Mini Cooper Clubman offers more cargo space for a hatch behind the second row.

The rear seats of the Clubman can be folded down to open up more room for cargo. The Fiat 500X has the smallest wheelbase, which reduces its cargo capacity quite less. The overall space inside is also low in the 500X which makes it the least practical in the segment. The Mazda CX-5 offers quite a large boot with almost 34.1 cu-ft of storage space. The rear seats of the CX-5 can be folded in a 60/40 split manner and can open up a massive 64.78 cu-ft of storage. 

2018 Mini Countryman Infotainment System

It offers two touchscreens - a 6.5- inch screen is standard while an 8.8-inch screen is available. It is better to go with the large touchscreen as controls on the smaller screens are harder to find. The touchscreen is easily reachable but it requires navigating through various steps to control some functions.

Apple CarPlay is new to the 2018 edition and comes standard across both the systems on offer. One of the notable flaws in the Countryman is that it offers Apple CarPlay but there is no Android Auto. However, the system is intuitive and quite easy to use. The system also responds quite well to inputs and has crisp graphics that are easily vish=ibe, even in bright daylight. Some of the key infotainment features in the new Mini includes:

• Bluetooth
• Siri Eyes Free
• 12 speaker audio system (Optional)
• Apple CarPlay (Optional)
• Wireless device charging (Optional)
• Navigation and real-time traffic (Optional)

The Mini Cooper Countryman looks different than all the Mini's with a longer hood and a longer rear end. In terms of dimensions, it is longer than the Mini Cooper Clubman and the Fiat 500X. The Mazda CX-5 is a better subcompact SUV with a longer wheelbase and more ground clearance than every other competitor in the segment.

Traditionally, the Wagon comes with contrasting paint colors for the roof, big headlights, and taillights along with the brand's trademark grille. For a more stylish look, you can add an Exterior package on the John Cooper Works for $2500 which includes 18 or 19-inch wheels, spoiler, JCW door sill finisher. The Fiat 500X does look more like a beefed-up hatchback than a crossover. However, the unique styling makes it stand out from the crowd. The CX-5 has a classy Mazda look which blends in with the rest of the traffic. 

The NHTSA has not comprehensively tested the 4-doored Wagon but the IIHS has rated the crashworthiness of the subcompact SUV "Good" in moderate front and side-impact crash protection. In terms of reliability, the Countryman comes with a 4-year/ 50,000-mile limited warranty. It offers good numbers of safety tech and features to help keep you safe. This year, Mini added a standard rearview camera and parking assist to all models. Optional features include adaptive cruise control and a head-up display. Some of the key safety features in the new Mini Cooper Countryman are: 

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)ABS And Driveline Traction
• ControlSide Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Rear Parking SensorsLow Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Back-Up Camera

Mini Cooper Countryman Vs Fiat 500 X

The Fiat 500 X costs several thousand dollars less than the 2018 Mini Cooper Countryman and provides more space inside. It also features one of the most user-friendly infotainment systems although the 500 X lags behind with an unimpressive engine and dull handling as compared to the Countryman.

The Mini may cost you more but it offers more in terms of performance and interior quality.

Mini Cooper Countryman Vs Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is a performance-oriented SUV with nimble handling and steering. It offers best in class cargo capacity and more horsepower than most rivals. There are a lot of available features but the CX-5 doesn't offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The Countryman meanwhile offers only Apple CarPlay and has a well-built interior. It will also leave a bigger dent in your pocket. The Mazda is a better option to go with at the price tag at which it is offered.

The 2018 Mini Cooper Countryman has a decent subcompact SUV with a plush interior and comfy seats. There are others in the competition that offer similar performance as the Countryman but with fewer negatives. The Mini is also one of the most expensive SUVs in its class. It is a good choice to win but there are better players in the market that will keep your pocket happy.