The 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman was the moment Mini’s small SUV grew up. Bigger than the Countryman it replaced, more comfortable on longer drives and considerably more useful inside, the redesigned model kept the brand’s unmistakable personality while moving into more practical territory.
That change is noticeable the moment you drive one.
The Countryman still has the quick steering and playful attitude associated with Mini, but it no longer feels like a tall hatchback that happens to have extra doors. For 2017, Mini gave it more room, a more sophisticated platform and stronger engine choices, creating a crossover that could compete more seriously with established compact SUVs.
For used-car shoppers today, that makes the 2017 Countryman an interesting proposition. It is old enough to be relatively affordable, but its styling and driving character still make it stand out from many conventional crossovers.
2017 Mini Cooper Countryman: A Bigger Mini With a Different Mission
The second-generation Countryman arrived for the 2017 model year with a significant increase in size.
Its wheelbase grew by nearly three inches, while the overall vehicle became almost eight inches longer than its predecessor. Those changes weren’t simply cosmetic. They created additional passenger and cargo room and gave Mini more freedom to make the Countryman a genuine everyday crossover.
The model continued to use front-wheel drive in its standard configuration, while Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system was available.
The styling remained unmistakably Mini. The rounded headlights, contrasting roof and large central dashboard display gave the Countryman an appearance that was difficult to confuse with anything else in the segment.
But underneath, the vehicle had moved in a more modern direction.
How the 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman Drives
The driving experience is where the Countryman separates itself from many small SUVs.
The standard Cooper uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It is perfectly capable of normal commuting, but the Countryman’s larger dimensions mean the engine has to work harder than it would in a smaller Mini.
The Cooper S is the more compelling choice for drivers who enjoy having some performance available. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque.
That extra output changes the character of the vehicle.
The Cooper S feels considerably more energetic when accelerating onto a highway or passing slower traffic. In a Car and Driver test, a manual Cooper S ALL4 reached 60 mph in 7.0 seconds.
The Countryman isn’t as tiny or as razor-sharp as the classic Mini Cooper hatchback, though. There’s more body to move and more weight underneath the driver. Instead of feeling nervous or hyperactive, it has a more planted character.
The steering remains one of its highlights. Turn into a corner and the Countryman responds quickly, giving the driver a better sense of connection than many practical crossovers provide.
That balance is important. The 2017 model wasn’t designed simply to be the fastest small SUV. It was intended to combine everyday usability with the driving personality that Mini buyers expect.
Engine Choices and Fuel Economy
The 2017 Countryman’s gasoline lineup was relatively straightforward.
| Version | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper | 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder | 134 hp | 162 lb-ft |
| Cooper S | 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder | 189 hp | 207 lb-ft |
Transmission and drivetrain choices affected fuel economy.
For example, the front-wheel-drive Cooper equipped with the six-speed manual was EPA-rated at 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. A front-wheel-drive Cooper S with the eight-speed automatic was rated at 23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
ALL4 versions generally use more fuel because of their additional drivetrain hardware.
Those EPA figures are useful for comparing configurations, but an older vehicle’s real-world economy can vary depending on mileage, maintenance, traffic and driving habits.
What the Cabin Gets Right
The Countryman’s larger dimensions brought one of the most welcome improvements: more usable interior space.
The front seats provide the elevated driving position many crossover buyers want, while the rear compartment is more accommodating than the smaller Mini models.
The dashboard remains distinctly Mini. A large circular display dominates the center of the cabin, with toggle switches and other design details reinforcing the retro-inspired theme.
It’s an interior that makes a statement.
That personality can be a strength or a weakness depending on what a buyer wants. Someone coming from a conventional SUV may need time to get used to some of the controls and dashboard layout. But for buyers tired of identical-looking interiors, the Countryman offers something different.
The increased cargo and passenger capacity also make the second-generation Countryman substantially easier to live with than its predecessor.
2017 Mini Cooper Countryman Pricing
When it was new, the 2017 Countryman started at about $26,950 for the Cooper, while the Cooper S started at approximately $29,950. Optional equipment and the addition of ALL4 could raise the final transaction price significantly.
The situation is very different today.
The 2017 Countryman is now a used vehicle, and prices depend on mileage, condition, trim, drivetrain, equipment and regional demand. There is no single used-market price that applies to every example.
That makes shopping condition more important than simply finding the lowest advertised number.
A cheaper Countryman with neglected maintenance may ultimately be a far less attractive purchase than a more expensive example with complete service records.
What Buyers Should Check Before Buying
A 2017 Countryman is now several years into its second life, so mechanical condition should be the priority.
Service records are valuable because they can show whether routine maintenance was performed consistently. Buyers should also pay attention to the condition of the brakes, tires and suspension, along with any warning lights or unusual noises during a test drive.
The vehicle’s electronic features should be tested as well.
An independent inspection before purchase is a sensible step, particularly when considering a higher-mileage example or a vehicle with an incomplete maintenance history.
Ownership costs can vary substantially from one Countryman to another. Mileage, previous use and maintenance are all important factors, so it would be misleading to attach one fixed annual repair figure to every 2017 model.
How the Countryman Stacks Up Against Rivals
The Countryman competed in a crowded small crossover market, but it approached the segment differently.
Models such as the Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-5 emphasized practicality and everyday usability, while vehicles such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 offered a more premium interpretation of the compact SUV.
The Mini sat somewhere between those approaches.
It had premium-brand aspirations without abandoning the quirky design and playful driving character that made Mini recognizable. The BMW X1 was particularly relevant because the two vehicles shared underlying platform architecture, but their personalities were distinctly different.
The Countryman was the more unconventional choice.
Which 2017 Countryman Makes the Most Sense?
For drivers who care about performance, the Cooper S is the version to look for.
The additional power makes the Countryman feel more comfortable when carrying passengers or joining fast-moving highway traffic. It also better suits drivers buying a Mini specifically because they want something more engaging than an ordinary crossover.
The standard Cooper makes more sense for buyers who place fuel economy and purchase price ahead of outright performance.
ALL4 is worth considering where additional traction is useful, but buyers should remember that drivetrain choice affects both fuel economy and vehicle complexity.
A manual transmission can also make the Countryman more appealing to enthusiasts, while the automatic is likely to be the easier choice for daily city driving.
Is the 2017 Countryman Still Worth Considering?
The 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman has aged in an interesting way.
It isn’t the smallest, lightest or simplest Mini, and buyers looking for maximum practicality can find alternatives with more straightforward packaging. But the Countryman offers something those vehicles often lack: personality.
Its second-generation redesign made the crossover more spacious and mature without removing the distinctive driving character that defines the Mini brand.
For today’s buyer, the smartest approach is to focus less on finding a particular badge and more on finding the right example. A well-maintained Cooper S with a documented history can be far more appealing than a neglected vehicle with a lower asking price.
The 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman ultimately works best for someone who wants a practical small SUV but doesn’t want to drive something that feels ordinary. It has enough space for everyday duties, enough performance in Cooper S form to keep driving interesting, and enough individuality to remain recognizable years after it first arrived in showrooms.