The 2021 Mini Countryman trades some of its small car driving charm for a roomier interior.
Pros Roomiest Mini Distinct looks Fits a fun family Varied powertrains Meager plug-in hybrid range
Cons No Android Auto No standard Apple CarPlay Overmatched turbo-3 Mismatched features Luxury price
The 2021 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 25 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Roomy, supportive seats Well-crafted interior Fun to drive
Cons Weak base engine Below-average cargo capacity High price tag
The biggest Mini gets a smattering of updates for 2021. Its unmistakable appearance is now even more distinctive due to a restyled front end. LED lighting elements promote its British heritage through a Union Jack motif on the taillights. There's now a Piano Black Exterior option that replaces the Mini's chrome trim with gloss-black pieces. A set of fresh wheel designs as well as White Silver and Sage Green metallic paint colors are new too. Inside, the infotainment system's housing is redesigned with gloss-black material.
Pros Well-built interior, Mini character in a family size, generous complimentary maintenance.
Cons Neither quick or nimble, plug-in hybrid is unremarkable, lacks some popular driver assists.
Turbocharged four-cylinder engine added to the lineup.Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now standard.12-speaker Bose stereo available with Premium Package only.
PROS Upscale interior design and build quality Advanced safety features come standard Poised handling and refined ride quality
CONS Transmission can be slow to downshift Significant rear blind spots Below-average fuel economy
For the CX-30's sophomore year, Mazda's made virtually no changes to it other than making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both standard features. Mazda also announced the addition of an optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that makes 250-hp.
PROS Eager driving dynamics, near-luxury interior trimmings, plenty of standard tech goodies.
CONS Could stand a few more horsepower, offers little added practicality over the Mazda 3 hatchback, occasional transmission stumbles.
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 is great-looking, spacious, and more polished and fun-to-drive than other compact competitors, but it’s a step behind in value and features.
PROS Great proportions and styling Polished powertrain Standard active-safety suite Spacious interior layout.
CONS More expensive than alternatives Frustrating options packages Lacks a touchscreen
