2023 Mini Countryman vs 2021 Audi Q2

What's the difference?

The second-generation Mini Countryman SUV is nearing the end of its model life. It’s been on sale in Australia since 2017 and there is a new one coming in the next two years. It will be electric and grow in size, leaving space for the new Aceman to slot into Mini’s line-up. 

Until then, Mini is doing what it can to maintain interest in the quirky small SUV, and that means special editions. There are a bunch of them in the Mini stable at the moment, including the Resolute edition, available with the three- and five-door Hatch, Electric Hatch and Convertible, and then there’s the Clubman Untold.

Like these variants, the Mini Countryman Untamed edition tested here adds some visual flair to an already handsome model. 

We road tested the Countryman SE Hybrid Untamed on a recent trip to Germany to attend the reveal of the Aceman concept. So while the same model is available in Australia, note that the driving conditions differ from a local review.

Audi’s littlest and most affordable SUV, the Q2, has been updated with new looks and tech, but something else has snuck in with it. Or should I say roared in? It’s the SQ2, with a whopping 300 horsepower and a snarling bark.

So, this review has something for everybody. It’s for those who want to know what’s new for the Q2 in this latest update - those thinking of  buying a cool-looking little SUV from Audi - and for those who want to wake their neighbours up and frighten their friends.

Ready? Let’s go.