The Mini Countryman carries over with minimal changes for 2023.

The 2023 MINI Countryman Cooper is powered by a choice of several different engines. The base engine on the FWD Countryman is a 134-horsepower, 1.5L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The AWD version uses the same engine paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes such technology as rain-sensing wipers, panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and a rearview camera.

The upgraded Countryman is the 'S' model. The engine offered is a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine making 189 horsepower and it's paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Upgraded equipment on the S includes 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and fog lights and adaptive suspension dampers. The S is also available with MINI's ALL4 all-wheel drive.

The most powerful version of the Countryman is the John Cooper Works model (or JCW for short) with a very healthy 301 horsepower sent to all-four wheels, as there is no front-wheel drive version. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic, giving the JCW countryman extremely rapid acceleration.

For the environmentally minded, the Countryman SE plug-in hybrid combines the 1.5L 3-cylinder engine at the front and an 87-horsepower electric motor at the rear wheels. This combination is good for 221 horsepower. The Countryman SE can go for around 18 miles on electric power and afterwards is good for 29 mpg.

MINI offers an array of equipment packages are available to personalize the Countryman. The Convenience Package includes a rear armrest, vehicle alarm, cargo divider and cargo area flip-out seating cushion. The Premium Package offers power-adjustable front seats, a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system and hands-free power liftgate. The Technology package delivers a touchscreen-based navigation system, heads-up display, wireless phone charging and an automated parallel parking system. Dynamic suspension dampers are available as well, a feature usually found on higher-end BMW models.

Other available customization options allow the driver to pick from an almost dizzying array of 19-inch wheels, bonnet stripes, roof and mirror caps and a range of interior accent trims.

The Countryman is more refined than ever. Base prices are similar to an Infiniti QX30 or a Mercedes-Benz GLA250.

MINI, like its BMW siblings, knows how to blend luxury-style appointments with performance attitude to make a well-rounded driving experience. In the Countryman, MINI has adapted the friendly face of the smaller Cooper to a lifted, all-wheel drive small SUV to bring a lot of flexibility and wider appeal to the brand's lineup. The same array of powerful but efficient engines from the Cooper are present in the Countryman, as is a similarly satisfying level of standard equipment.

Small SUV practicality with fun MINI styling; playful driving dynamics; strong luxury-level feature set; extensive customization options; plug-in hybrid powertrain available