The Best Fun-to-Drive Small Luxury Crossover Under $40,000

Finding a small luxury crossover that’s genuinely fun to drive under $40,000 can be a challenge, but one model stands out as the clear choice for enthusiasts. It combines playful handling, premium touches, and everyday usability, all at a price that won’t stretch your budget.

Behind the wheel, it delivers sharp steering, agile cornering, and a lively engine that makes even routine drives exciting. Inside, the cabin is filled with upscale materials and modern tech, giving it a premium feel without losing its quirky charm or practicality.

For drivers who want luxury and driving excitement in a compact, city-friendly package, this crossover checks every box. It proves that you don’t need a massive budget to enjoy a premium experience that’s as entertaining as it is versatile.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA.

Mini’s New Countryman Is a Fantastic Crossover at an Affordable Price

Mini is a brand that has defined itself over the years by selling small cars. The Countryman has defied the classic formula by being essentially a big version of the Cooper. Despite straying from what made the British automaker so popular in the first place, the crossover checks just about every box.

2026 Trims and Pricing

The Countryman competes in the luxury subcompact SUV segment, going up against some pretty nice little crossovers like the Volvo XC40 and the Mercedes-Benz GLB. It actually shares its platform and powertrain with the X1, meaning you can get BMW levels of performance at a discount. This is one of the things that sets it apart from all of its rivals, with a starting price that is thousands of dollars lower than some of its top competitors.

For the time being, Mini only offers the Countryman in S guise ALL4 guise, though the brand may add different variants in the future. There are two distinct trim levels to choose from, the Signature Plus and the Iconic. Both are well-equipped and you won’t be disappointed either way.

If you’re looking to stick under the $40,000 mark, then stick with the Signature Plus. However, the Iconic offers a lot of value for the additional money. It comes with an upgraded audio system, augmented reality navigation, parking assist, and power-adjustable front seats with a massage function.

Changes For 2026

The Countryman was fully redesigned for the 2025 model year, so changes were kept minimal for 2026. A John Cooper Works Style package is now on offer, adding a number of aesthetic elements as well as adaptive suspension for $1,200. You can also order any model with racing stripes now. Finally, any 2026 Countryman built after July will come with digital key functionality, allowing you to use your smartphone as a key.

Warranties and Maintenance

• Limited Warranty: Four Years or 50,000 Miles
• Powertrain Warranty: Four Years or 50,000 Miles
• Complimentary Maintenance: Three Years or 36,000 Miles

Coverage on the Countryman is pretty average for the segment. Both the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain plans sit at about the average point, though a few competitors do offer longer plans. What we do find impressive is the fact that Mini will cover scheduled maintenance for the first three years of ownership.

The 2026 Countryman Has the Bones and Heart of a BMW

If you’re looking to grab a new BMW X1, you’re likely to spend well over the $40,000 mark, especially if you want it as well-equipped as the Mini. We think that the platform and powertrain on offer in the Countryman make it a truly enjoyable crossover to drive, keeping your daily commute from turning into a bore.

Performance Specifications

We’re not claiming that the Mini Countryman is a sports car, just that it’s more enjoyable to drive than the average crossover of this size. It comes standard with a turbocharged inline-four, unless you go for the much more expensive JCW model. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive are also standard. The only thing we’re sad about is that the Countryman doesn’t get the paddle shifters that can be found in the X1.

The Countryman is a fantastically balanced machine. When driven softly, you’ll be amazed at how smooth and refined the ride is, with the crossover absorbing most bumps in the road with ease. Find a section of twisty road and put your foot down and you’ll be equally impressed with how confidently agile it is. A maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds adds to the crossover’s practicality as well.

Fuel Economy

While not the most efficient car in this segment, the Countryman does pretty well given the fact that it’s all-wheel drive and packed with a good amount of power. It does much better on the highway than it does in the city, as is usually the case with a turbocharged engine. The similarly equipped BMW X1 manages a combined rating of 28 miles per gallon, meaning the Countryman comes close.

Safety and Driver Assists

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keeping Assist
• Active Blind Spot Detection
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go
• Parking Assistant Plus

The most important safety and driver assist features come standard in the Countryman. This includes things like a number of collision detection and avoidance systems. However, if you’re looking to get adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, then you’ll need to spring for the Driving Assistant Plus package.

A Playful Yet Comfortable Interior Makes Every Drive Enjoyable

A design ideology centered around fun dominates every Mini. This is what makes them so instantly recognizable. On the inside of the Countryman, the fun continues in a way that doesn’t feel kitsch. Compared to the iconic Cooper, the Countryman is a lot more practical, with more space for passengers and cargo as well.

Interior Dimensions and Comfort

The Countryman is much more spacious on the inside than you’d expect from a Mini. Those in the front seats are spoiled, with plenty of room to stretch out. The design of the dashboard also makes the whole cabin feel roomier. While those in the back don’t get as much legroom, most will find it more than comfortable enough. Cargo capacity is also reasonably spacious.

We love that Mini keeps away from the minimalism that has infected most other luxury brands. The cabin has a lot of character, with fabric covering most panels, creating a stippling effect. LEDs shine from behind the fabric, changing based on your selected drive mode. There are plenty of comfort features available in the Countryman, including automatic climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and power-adjustable seats with lumbar support.

Infotainment and Technology

Key to the Mini’s quirky identity is its infotainment screen. Rather than using a traditional two-screen setup for the gauge cluster and the infotainment system, a single circular 9.4-inch screen is mounted to the center of the dashboard. The panel is an OLED and responds quickly and smoothly to inputs. You can change the themes of the screen, including being able to upload photos to use as a background. A heads-up display is standard, though.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay and standard features in the Countryman, as is a on-board Wi-Fi. There a USB slots in the front and the back, you also get a standard wireless smartphone charging pad. The standard sound system is good, but you can upgrade to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system instead.