The MG ZS lobbed locally late last year to stake a claim on the highly competitive small SUV segment. But has the second SUV from the now Chinese-owned brand done enough to shift public perception?
Pros Excellent road manners Spritely three-pot turbo engine Industry-leading seven-year warranty Loaded with standard features Sharp pricing
Cons Four-star ANCAP rating a blot No digital speedo Noisy air-con compressor
The MG ZS has its strengths, including its relatively classy interior, decent handling and roomy rear seats. However, a Duster Dacia is cheaper to buy, more comfortable and has a bigger boot.
Pros Rear seat space Cheaper than most rivals Seven-year warranty
Cons Poor safety rating Uneconomical engines So-so performance
The 2020 MINI Cooper Countryman's #4 ranking is based on its score within the Subcompact SUVs category. Currently the MINI Cooper Countryman has a score of 7.8 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 29 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Upscale cabin Robust optional engines Athletic handling
Cons Meager base engine Below-average cargo space
The 2020 Mini Countryman packs British charm and driving fun in a high-quality package that’s priced like a true luxury crossover SUV.
Pros Attractive styling Premium quality Room for passengers and cargo Active safety now standard More powerful JCW
Cons Gets very expensive, very fast Overmatched base engine Strange packaging decisions Plug-in hybrid range still lacking
For the 2020 model year, the Mini Cooper Countryman JCW gets a new engine that generates 301 horsepower. This powerplant offers significantly more muscle than the outgoing 228-hp engine. Also, the six-speed manual transmission has been discontinued; an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters is the sole transmission.
Pros Athletic performance, snazzy sheetmetal, premium cabin.
Cons Provides less cargo space than some rivals, no Android Auto, not available with blind-spot monitoring.
