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.
The 2020 Chevrolet Trax ranked #10 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Chevrolet Trax has a score of 6.8 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 41 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Easy maneuverability User-friendly infotainment system is standard
Cons Interior quality is a mixed bag Lackluster engine Stiff ride
The 2020 Chevrolet Trax comes with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic. Midnight Edition package no longer available.
Pros Appealing passenger space for its size Plenty of features for the price
Cons Ride quality is choppy on the freeway Slow acceleration from the underpowered engine Less cargo space than some rivals Fuel economy falls short for the class
There's no shortage of small SUVs in the subcompact class and, among them, the 2020 Chevrolet Trax is one of the least compelling. Yes, it's comfortable and spacious, especially in regard to headroom. It stops, goes, and turns. And it comes standard with a healthy load of features, including touchscreen navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot. But its weak turbocharged engine delivers painfully slow acceleration and its chintzy cabin materials and uninspired design, both inside and out, make for rental-car ambience.
Pros Excellent outward visibility, plentiful standard infotainment features, capable enough handling.
Cons Anemic engine, rental-car interior trappings, minimal active-safety tech.
