2021 Mini Countryman Cooper S Mini Yours long-term review: Introduction

I’ve been handed the keys to my very first long-termer, meaning that for the next few months I’ll be putting one specific vehicle under the microscope. 

I’ve lucked in with the largest offering in the Mini range – the Mini Countryman. While it may be the largest in the brand’s family, it sits at the smaller end of the spectrum in the small luxury SUV segment.

But, as the saying goes, size doesn’t matter, and I was pretty excited to get behind the wheel of my first extended project with Drive.

Let’s begin with the basics. 

There are three variants available in the line-up. The Cooper, Cooper S and range-topping John Cooper Works. There’s also a Cooper SE plug-in hybrid option available. There are three trim levels on offer for the Countryman Cooper S too: Classic, Mini Yours and JCW Sport.

The model I’ll be testing is the 2021 Mini Countryman Cooper S Mini Yours, finished in British Racing Green, and starts from $61,400 before on-road costs. 

It goes up against rivals like the hybrid Lexus UX250h, with the performance-skewed UX250h F Sport starting at $59,600, drawing almost level with the popular Audi Q3 40 TFSI S Line at $61,600 – both before on-road costs.

It’s worth noting that the Countryman recently got an update to its line-up with a focus on urban performance. It also elevated the design including restyling lower portions of the front and rear bumpers, new LED headlights and Union Jack signature brake lights.

The Mini Yours trim includes a bunch of equipment highlights including comfort access with keyless start, concierge service, wireless smartphone integration of Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, power tailgate, and active cruise control with stop-and-go function. 

On the inside, Mini Yours spec includes electric seat adjustment for driver and front passenger, Harman Kardon sound system, excitement package with multi-colour ambient lighting, Mini logo puddle-lamp projection, head-up display, nappa leather sport steering wheel with multifunction controls and a panoramic electric sunroof.

Along with these niceties, the cabin itself is a funky and comfortable place to be. For a small SUV there’s plenty of useable space including a large centre console with a lift-up lid, door bins with room for bottles, two cupholders up front, and an additional storage cubby. Front seat passengers have access to a wireless charge pad, a USB-C and USB-A port, plus a 12-volt charger. 

Back seat passengers get dedicated air vents, two USB-C ports, seat back pockets, door bins, and decent head and leg room. The boot offers 405L of cargo space with the maximum capacity of 1275L when the rear seats are folded. 

The outside looks just like a Mini, only jacked up with ground clearance of 165mm. It sits on 19-inch alloys and scores standard additions such as roof rails and side sill mountings in black, along with black bonnet stripes. 

Under the bonnet, the Mini packs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that pumps out 141kW of power and 280Nm of torque. It has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and is front-wheel drive.

With three months of driving ahead of me, I’ll have ample time to try out different kinds of roads, but on the lead-up to this I’ve managed to get a few kilometres of urban-hopping done. 

So far I can tell that this car has plenty of punch, and is quite the pocket rocket. Like all Minis I’ve driven in the past, it’s fun and response is instant. 

There are three driving modes in Sport, Mid and Green, and paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel, which will no doubt be put to good use.  Mini quotes a fuel consumption of 6.7L/100km, which so far hasn’t proved to be true – I’ve recorded 8.2L/100km so far.

In the way of safety, it boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating when tested in 2017. Officially, crash-test results apply only to the discounted Cooper D diesel, not the Cooper S, but given the similar structure underpinning both cars, expect similar results.

There are six airbags, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-keep warning and assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a speed limiter, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition.

Mini offers a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, plus there’s also an option for owners to purchase an upfront five-year/80,000km service plan. 

I’m going to be a busy girl with this Countryman. My plan is to test out its practicality and explore just how useable the space is inside. Is it functional and the ultimate proposition for an everyday city runabout?

What’s more, I’ll be assessing its ability out of town too. Does it do the job for both? 

I’m excited to put this car to the test, and as always with all our long-term reports, don’t hesitate to ask us questions. In the meantime, I’ve got some driving to do and more scouting for cool locations with my photographer.