What a great report. I miss the exterior British/Steampunk look and cannot get past the lack of a manual transmission. What a shame. The engineers have lost their way.😦
I have a 2016 (Gen2 chassis) Countryman and has this one as a loaner from the dealer for a few days while I got something fixed (that I broke, not a reliability issue). It drive and feels far bigger. That older car feels small and agile. The engine from the Gen 3 series and up is lightyears better than the old Prince engine in mine. The interior was really comfortable. I was transporting a family member home from the hospital that had just had really serious surgery and they were incredibly comfortable in the back. It's clear that this car is a good size for what Americans are looking for. There is a smaller cross over on the way, but because it's co designed with a Chinese company, it won't come here until production moves to the UK. I don't love bigger cars so this would not be a great choice for me. I don't dislike the design. What I really like is that is does not look like every other small SUV out there. The vast majority has the exact same shape and super high belt line. I found this noticeably harder to park than my much smaller Countryman. The window sill is at least 3" higher, the hood is far taller and doesn't slope down as much. The old car has pretty much no tech other than a radio and automatic climate control. This car has reverse camera AND it turns the passenger rear view mirror down with backing up. Super nice and simple feature! I didn't have any issues with the transmission. It was silky smooth for me. I wonder if there were software updates that my car had. It was really new with less than 1700 miles on the clock so it might have been updates. Also no glitches with the controls. This was my first time using car play... fantastic! So simple to use. I really likes the HUD. Maybe it looks a little goofy, but it works great. Super easy to read and far nicer than getting speed from the central unit.
Drove one of these as a rental in Spain and the software was indeed a buggy nightmare. Incredibly unintuitive, constantly forgot phone pairings and language. After several pairings it became familiar but can’t imagine experiencing that as an owner
The changes I am excited about are they have finally given it a full BMW tune with 241hp and for the first time you can get tow hitches! I plan to pull a small camper or kayak trailer. It will tow 3500lb which is pretty great for this size and class.
I did a long test drive here in Europe and found no issue whatsoever. The car looks better in person, I liked the interior quality and materials. It's spacious and offers a comfortable ride. The screen is big and easy to read. Depending on the trims and colors, it can look nicer than most ordinary SUVs out there. The native navigation was impressively good, with augmented reality and other nice features. This review has a negative vibe and seems a bit unfair, IMHO.
At 5:40, temperature adjust can in fact be done with a single touch. Touching either end of the red/blue icon will adjust the temp by a single degree. With automatic climate controls, changes of multiple degrees are not as needed as in the past. The HUD is on a screen because of the angle of the windshield. Some basic research should have been done because this review and the Talking Cars episode. Even their ‘UI expert’ missed these.
Omg the interior looks like it would keep someone so snug, also love how mini coopers stand out in the road, Looking for my first car and omg can’t decide
Loved driving it…I own a 2023 (previous Gen). Do agree it’s a little less nostalgic…wasn’t happy they got rid of a lot of the switches inside…just like Porsche when they got rid of buttons…Also, the shortcut button delete is a big miss…they are probably the best BMW function ever made…as for driving it, I didn’t get the lurching you guys talk of…it’s a DCT, so it’s supposed to mimic a stick…there is as delay with a shift when you come off the line, and if you hit the throttle hard, you lurch…no different. There is a sweet spot you need to find (just like you do with your manual); once found, it’s awesome…having had both types of HUDs; the pop up screen in my current Mini, and the on screen one in my Audi Q7 and BMW X5, I prefer this one…it’s easy enough to read; no issues. And, if you need to replace your windshield, much cheaper, as I found out when I had to replace my Q7 windshield…higher cost windshield, and then you need to pay to get in calibrated. Much prefer the pop up screen! Biggest let down for me is the exterior…just looks so milk toast now. At least BMW gets your blood going (usually for the worse) with the beaver teef on the front…this looks like a honda cvcc from 1975 now…
I totally agree. Opinions on the exterior looks are subjective. I happen to like the design and realize that it’s a compromise between pure MINI albeit less practical MINI design and the limitations imposed by a bigger, more practical, year round daily driver. I’ve driven 5000 miles in mine to date and I really like how it drives and its practicality. It may be around the same size as a Subaru Crosstrek (per this CR reviewer), but it has a lot more headroom and rear seat room, as I can attest as a temporary 2024 Crosstrek owner (bad choice for me at 6’4”!).
The specialized head up display on this car is done out of necessity. It’s not because of a “look” they were trying. The windshield on the mini is angled so that a head up display wouldn’t work properly. The x1 windshield is angled like most other cars so it can be a traditional head up.
Owner of a 2009 MINI Cooper R56. It retains that MINI appeal and pizazz. This Countryman looks boring and lacks any of that MINI DNA. Thanks for the review.
Wow, I thought the Honda Accord styling was boring. Looks like a frumpier Honda HRV. Lots of better options in that price range (not to mention the Not Ready for Prime-Time issues).
Had one for two days drive. It looks good for the first time, but the center dial software was laggy af and had connectivity issues. Mini removed all the buttons and kept everything in the center dial. Didn't like the idea of toggle switches for changing the gear and have no physical buttons. Not a mini definitely! The size is similar to a Honda CR-V or Rav 4. They just look good in aesthetic appearance, but not much powerful as compared to the competitors.
8:03 the HUD could not be projected on the windscreen because of the angle of the glass - nod to MINI design over the years and also to give more headroom. Jeez, CR - have you not seen any other reviews months ago that explain this? I’ve had this model for 14 weeks and 5000 miles and have not experienced any of the glitches you did.
I own a 2020 Countryman and have considered getting the 2025, but I frankly don't love the new look. Seems like it lacks what made Mini unique - that more classic British look. Now it's starting to look like every other small suy/crossover. What's the point of buying this over any other SUV now?
I think it might sell better if they stop calling it mini.. it’s not a mini. It’s a maxi. But BMW needs to get the design right, they didn’t. Although it’s not ugly, it just does not have anything related to the mini image or brand, they really need to drop mini if they are keeping this size profile. Pay John cooper to use his name “as the brand”… imagine the tagline. “Own the original and amazing “Super Cooper””.
The head-up display is designed that way due to the curved glass. EVERY new car has SOFTWARE issues when NEW. I didn't have an issue when I test-drove one early last month. CR is always biased if it is not a Toyota Camry.
Its very ugly sorry to be straightforward. I prefer the recent model. As I always dream to have a Mini Countryman when I have money. But I will skip this 2025 model and wait if they update the style. This new Miin C looks like KIA Korean cars its hitting me crazy. The back is bugging is like they put a square box.
Yea, no! A Hard No!!! Hate the look!!! I own a 2007 S and this design is an insult to the meaning of what the mini world is all about. This is just horrible! It’s moving toward a Japanese Honda etc. I’ll never buy that box.
Yeah, I have a Mini Cooper S 4 door snd I wanted a Countryman and I refuse this ice-cream truck monstrosity! I am going with the 2024 Countryman instead!
It’s still a sub compact car!! I know lots of MINI owners here who have tiny MINI Coopers but they’re useless in the wintertime. At least the Countryman has ALL4.
Take the Mini badge off the outside and it looks like an Asian compact hatchback product, generic styling. Interior controls look terrible to me, all style, lousy ergonomics. The unique charm is definitely gone. Nothing wrong with the BMW machinery and suspension. Not so special any more. Buy or better, lease it, as an entry level BMW and you'll be fine.
So very ugly and such poor quality with long term reliability built in. BMW is the same poor reliability history. Run as far from this car as you can get.
I hope the review is to the point and we don't get all the old time stories about when I drove my grandad's model A. Its time for new blood at consumers. Let vote these long winded, creeky, old crocks, OUT. Lets make this channel relevant like it was 25 years ago. Give Consumers TEETH, and not the kind in a glass!
these “Premiers in 21 hours” things are so fucking annoying. Just posted a video? Heck yeah, let’s watch it. You’re telling me you’re *going* to post a video? Uh ok, don’t really care about that. “Here’s an announcement saying we’re going to make an announcement in 22 hours! 😍🫨”
What a great report. I miss the exterior British/Steampunk look and cannot get past the lack of a manual transmission. What a shame. The engineers have lost their way.😦
Agree! I am getting 2024. Hate the gargantuan new design. America has enough gigantic SUVs!
agreed bruh
Keith is fantastic at what he does - such a pleasure to watch and super helpful!
I have a 2016 (Gen2 chassis) Countryman and has this one as a loaner from the dealer for a few days while I got something fixed (that I broke, not a reliability issue). It drive and feels far bigger. That older car feels small and agile. The engine from the Gen 3 series and up is lightyears better than the old Prince engine in mine. The interior was really comfortable. I was transporting a family member home from the hospital that had just had really serious surgery and they were incredibly comfortable in the back. It's clear that this car is a good size for what Americans are looking for. There is a smaller cross over on the way, but because it's co designed with a Chinese company, it won't come here until production moves to the UK. I don't love bigger cars so this would not be a great choice for me. I don't dislike the design. What I really like is that is does not look like every other small SUV out there. The vast majority has the exact same shape and super high belt line. I found this noticeably harder to park than my much smaller Countryman. The window sill is at least 3" higher, the hood is far taller and doesn't slope down as much. The old car has pretty much no tech other than a radio and automatic climate control. This car has reverse camera AND it turns the passenger rear view mirror down with backing up. Super nice and simple feature! I didn't have any issues with the transmission. It was silky smooth for me. I wonder if there were software updates that my car had. It was really new with less than 1700 miles on the clock so it might have been updates. Also no glitches with the controls. This was my first time using car play... fantastic! So simple to use. I really likes the HUD. Maybe it looks a little goofy, but it works great. Super easy to read and far nicer than getting speed from the central unit.
Drove one of these as a rental in Spain and the software was indeed a buggy nightmare. Incredibly unintuitive, constantly forgot phone pairings and language. After several pairings it became familiar but can’t imagine experiencing that as an owner
Just shows why you don't buy a new car the first year it has been remolded. Let the problems get sorted out before you buy one.
The changes I am excited about are they have finally given it a full BMW tune with 241hp and for the first time you can get tow hitches! I plan to pull a small camper or kayak trailer. It will tow 3500lb which is pretty great for this size and class.
I did a long test drive here in Europe and found no issue whatsoever. The car looks better in person, I liked the interior quality and materials. It's spacious and offers a comfortable ride. The screen is big and easy to read. Depending on the trims and colors, it can look nicer than most ordinary SUVs out there. The native navigation was impressively good, with augmented reality and other nice features. This review has a negative vibe and seems a bit unfair, IMHO.
The front looks like an older Kia Soul.
At 5:40, temperature adjust can in fact be done with a single touch. Touching either end of the red/blue icon will adjust the temp by a single degree. With automatic climate controls, changes of multiple degrees are not as needed as in the past.
The HUD is on a screen because of the angle of the windshield.
Some basic research should have been done because this review and the Talking Cars episode. Even their ‘UI expert’ missed these.
Omg the interior looks like it would keep someone so snug, also love how mini coopers stand out in the road,
Looking for my first car and omg can’t decide
Loved driving it…I own a 2023 (previous Gen). Do agree it’s a little less nostalgic…wasn’t happy they got rid of a lot of the switches inside…just like Porsche when they got rid of buttons…Also, the shortcut button delete is a big miss…they are probably the best BMW function ever made…as for driving it, I didn’t get the lurching you guys talk of…it’s a DCT, so it’s supposed to mimic a stick…there is as delay with a shift when you come off the line, and if you hit the throttle hard, you lurch…no different. There is a sweet spot you need to find (just like you do with your manual); once found, it’s awesome…having had both types of HUDs; the pop up screen in my current Mini, and the on screen one in my Audi Q7 and BMW X5, I prefer this one…it’s easy enough to read; no issues. And, if you need to replace your windshield, much cheaper, as I found out when I had to replace my Q7 windshield…higher cost windshield, and then you need to pay to get in calibrated. Much prefer the pop up screen! Biggest let down for me is the exterior…just looks so milk toast now. At least BMW gets your blood going (usually for the worse) with the beaver teef on the front…this looks like a honda cvcc from 1975 now…
I totally agree. Opinions on the exterior looks are subjective. I happen to like the design and realize that it’s a compromise between pure MINI albeit less practical MINI design and the limitations imposed by a bigger, more practical, year round daily driver. I’ve driven 5000 miles in mine to date and I really like how it drives and its practicality. It may be around the same size as a Subaru Crosstrek (per this CR reviewer), but it has a lot more headroom and rear seat room, as I can attest as a temporary 2024 Crosstrek owner (bad choice for me at 6’4”!).
The specialized head up display on this car is done out of necessity. It’s not because of a “look” they were trying. The windshield on the mini is angled so that a head up display wouldn’t work properly. The x1 windshield is angled like most other cars so it can be a traditional head up.
no standard pwr seats on a $38k car?
Unthinkable.
Ick. It's like MINI was completely taken over by a bunch of body-snatcher aliens who have no real understanding of what made MINI special.
It’s only one model in a range that still has loads of tiny MINIs for you.
@@angusmacdonald5300 - Yeah, it's not the size of the thing that bothers me. It's everything else.
I agree, looks nothing like a MINI 😢
Exactly!
The windshield angle is what prevents a real HUD from being possible
Owner of a 2009 MINI Cooper R56. It retains that MINI appeal and pizazz. This Countryman looks boring and lacks any of that MINI DNA. Thanks for the review.
How reliable is the lane centering and adaptive cruise for freeway driving?
Yeah, with that redesign, they took the "mini" soul, right out of the poor car.
I think it is quite hideous.
the UI is horrendous! Good luck keeping your eyes on the road and needing to change anything on that dinner plate LOL
Wow, I thought the Honda Accord styling was boring. Looks like a frumpier Honda HRV.
Lots of better options in that price range (not to mention the Not Ready for Prime-Time issues).
Had one for two days drive. It looks good for the first time, but the center dial software was laggy af and had connectivity issues. Mini removed all the buttons and kept everything in the center dial. Didn't like the idea of toggle switches for changing the gear and have no physical buttons. Not a mini definitely! The size is similar to a Honda CR-V or Rav 4. They just look good in aesthetic appearance, but not much powerful as compared to the competitors.
The Countryman is much smaller than the RAV4 and CRV.
MINI: 175”
RAV4: 180”
CRV: 185”
Hopefully the next Gen RAV doesn’t grow larger.
8:03 the HUD could not be projected on the windscreen because of the angle of the glass - nod to MINI design over the years and also to give more headroom. Jeez, CR - have you not seen any other reviews months ago that explain this? I’ve had this model for 14 weeks and 5000 miles and have not experienced any of the glitches you did.
I own a 2020 Countryman and have considered getting the 2025, but I frankly don't love the new look. Seems like it lacks what made Mini unique - that more classic British look. Now it's starting to look like every other small suy/crossover. What's the point of buying this over any other SUV now?
😮I like it
No longer any compelling reason to veer one away from getting an X1 instead.
Except the x1 looks like every other crossover on the road
great review thank you!
I think it might sell better if they stop calling it mini.. it’s not a mini. It’s a maxi. But BMW needs to get the design right, they didn’t. Although it’s not ugly, it just does not have anything related to the mini image or brand, they really need to drop mini if they are keeping this size profile. Pay John cooper to use his name “as the brand”… imagine the tagline. “Own the original and amazing “Super Cooper””.
Mini has completely lost its entire design sensibilities. 😢
When is a mini not mini anymore when it weighs over 3800 pounds🤔🤔🤔
Mini just destroyed their brand.
I am not touching this man's sunscreen.
Only the first 3 modes, Go Kart, Core, and Green change the driving characteristics. All the others are just for aesthetics
Questionable durability on the dual clutch tranmission. All that low speed jerkiness is also putting a strain on the transmission.
In 5000 miles of city and highway driving, I have not experienced any jerky transmission.
A petrol car without exhaust tips???
I drove one and everything you mentioned I found the same
They spoiled the design! Looks like a Kia Soul!
Wow who designed this? Looks like something that would come out in 1992. Man has this design gone downhill.
The head-up display is designed that way due to the curved glass. EVERY new car has SOFTWARE issues when NEW. I didn't have an issue when I test-drove one early last month. CR is always biased if it is not a Toyota Camry.
Or a Subaru!
You need to warn me before you show it like that. you should blur it.
The JCW version is so much better looking. More aggressive.
The JCW version that they showed here is the precious gen!
Its very ugly sorry to be straightforward. I prefer the recent model. As I always dream to have a Mini Countryman when I have money. But I will skip this 2025 model and wait if they update the style. This new Miin C looks like KIA Korean cars its hitting me crazy. The back is bugging is like they put a square box.
Every year, mini keeps making their cars uglier...
100% agreed. And most of these reviews sound a bit too much like a commercial 🤔.
Looks good depending on the color and the rims. These have got to be some of the ugliest rims I've ever seen on a Mini....
I don’t know how CR ended up with these wheels. The majority have much nicer wheel designs as I can attest to.
"fussy steampunk Anglophile" 😂
2:14 you show the previous gen JCW Countryman not the latest - Come on, CR, that’s sloppy.
Subaru Forester makes way more sense.
when u want to go 'futuristic' too much, it losses the sense of 'Mini' ...
with such 'modern' design, it seems soooo typical nowdays...
It’s half baked, just like the brand new Volvos..
$43k for a non-hybrid anonymobile that’s outclassed by a Kia soul 😂
Yea, no! A Hard No!!! Hate the look!!! I own a 2007 S and this design is an insult to the meaning of what the mini world is all about. This is just horrible! It’s moving toward a Japanese Honda etc. I’ll never buy that box.
Yeah, I have a Mini Cooper S 4 door snd I wanted a Countryman and I refuse this ice-cream truck monstrosity! I am going with the 2024 Countryman instead!
Looks like a toaster.
You've just insulted perfectly lovely toasters everywhere ….
Where are the two slots to put the bread in, if it looks like a toaster? 😆
A toaster is prettier and sexier than this mini 💩.
Ugly. Mini makes small cars please.
It’s still a sub compact car!! I know lots of MINI owners here who have tiny MINI Coopers but they’re useless in the wintertime. At least the Countryman has ALL4.
As Doug Demuro said, Mini probably won't be around in the US soon.
Why?
Men?
I'd rather have a loaded ..anything else..lol
It doesn’t even look as good as old Minis. The drivetrain is still garbage. All these years later BMW doesn’t put a normal automatic in this. Garbage.
It sounds half baked. I’ll pass.
Or maybe half-toasted? 😁
Take the Mini badge off the outside and it looks like an Asian compact hatchback product, generic styling. Interior controls look terrible to me, all style, lousy ergonomics. The unique charm is definitely gone. Nothing wrong with the BMW machinery and suspension. Not so special any more. Buy or better, lease it, as an entry level BMW and you'll be fine.
That's an ugly designed car 😅
Yuck. It's too big and awful
Lol this is a great review. This Mini should not be even allowed for sale.
Looks terrible
So very ugly and such poor quality with long term reliability built in. BMW is the same poor reliability history. Run as far from this car as you can get.
I hope the review is to the point and we don't get all the old time stories about when I drove my grandad's model A. Its time for new blood at consumers. Let vote these long winded, creeky, old crocks, OUT. Lets make this channel relevant like it was 25 years ago. Give Consumers TEETH, and not the kind in a glass!
What crawled up you and died?
these “Premiers in 21 hours” things are so fucking annoying. Just posted a video? Heck yeah, let’s watch it. You’re telling me you’re *going* to post a video? Uh ok, don’t really care about that.
“Here’s an announcement saying we’re going to make an announcement in 22 hours! 😍🫨”