The ALL4 all-wheel-drive powertrain includes electro-hydraulic differential, positioned directly on the transmission's final drive, to vary the power distribution from front to rear.

[21] In 2012 the Countryman received some minor amendments, including an EU6 exhaust emissions standard compliance for the One and Cooper models, and using a different clutch material and improved software to reduce stalling problems.

[25][26][27] Changes to US 2014 model year range included the omission of the interior "Centre Rail" feature from the back seats.

[32] Pulitzer Prize winning automotive journalist Dan Neil suggested the Countryman had jumped the shark – that is to say the car pushed the Mini ethos beyond relevance, marking the zenith of popularity and the start of decline.

Neil suggested that by making a vehicle that is longer, wider and taller, the company had forsaken the inner logic of the brand: excellent handling in a tiny size.

[38] Changes include a new structure of the hexagonal radiator grill, underride guard elements for the Cooper S Countryman ALL4 and additional body colour options.

[41] The second generation Countryman was introduced at the LA Auto Show in November 2016 and went on sale in February 2017 in Europe, and March elsewhere.

The 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery is positioned directly in front of the electric motor underneath the rear seat, delivering an all-electric range of up to 40 km (25 mi) and a top speed of 126 km/h (78 mph).

[44] Mini makes the John Cooper Works edition available again in this generation with the tuned version based on the Cooper S. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine has been upgraded with a new heat-resistant turbocharger and additional inter-cooler, resulting in 228 bhp (170 kW; 231 PS), 258 lb⋅ft (350 N⋅m) of torque and a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.5 seconds.

The Countryman received a facelift in 2020, with a sportier look, adding switchback LED DRLs/blinkers, new taillights to represent the British flag, and a new interior.

[49] The third-generation Countryman was officially unveiled on 1 September 2023, featuring both battery electric and internal combustion powertrains, as well as similar styling cues to the all-electric Cooper, with four trim levels available: Essential, Classic, Favoured and JCW.

[52][53] The John Cooper Works Countryman version comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and the ALL4 all-wheel drive system.

[54][55] The Countryman is one of the first products from MINI to adopt their new design language called "Charismatic Simplicity" and the core styling cues of its predecessors have been carried over.

The Countryman is the first vehicle with Level 2 advanced driver-assistance systems which can enable semi-automated driving at speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph).

[70] The Countryman WRC is the rallying version of Mini Cooper S ALL4 developed with Prodrive beginning in early 2009, with a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport.

[72][73] The factory team had its first test outing of the 2011 WRC season at the 2011 Rally d'Italia Sardegna, before taking on the full calendar in 2012 and 2013.

In the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, the RRC version had its first win at the 2012 Tour de Corse, driven by Dani Sordo.

Khalifa Al Mutaiwei win the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup in 2012, Krzysztof Holowczyc in 2013, Vladimir Vasilyev in 2014, and Nasser Al-Attiyah in 2015.

A 900 bhp vehicle based on the Mini Countryman entered the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, finishing third overall.

The first generation Countryman was primarily built in Graz, Austria, under contract by Magna Steyr, making it the first of the BMW era Minis to be manufactured entirely outside the UK.