MINI Countryman Review

The new Mini Countryman still comes with petrol engines if you want them, but for the first time it also comes with a fully electric drivetrain in this - the Mini Countryman E. There are two electric Countryman models, the E and the SE ALL4, and while they’re not cheap they are a similar price to other premium alternatives. 

Mini Countryman range, battery and charging 

The Mini gets a 64.6 kWh usable battery, with total capacity up at 66.5 kWh. It’s the same platform and battery in the Mini as you’ll find in the new BMW iX2 and iX1 – albeit modified for the Countryman - so it’s a fairly tried and tested setup. 

That battery uses lithium-ion NMC chemistry, which is much the same basic chemistry as that used by most electric cars, even if you’ll find different battery tech in the BYD Atto 3 that is yet another rival to the Countryman. 

Official WLTP range for the all-wheel drive Countryman SE is pipped at 251-266 miles depending on what spec you choose, while the front-wheel drive Countryman E manages 267 – 286 miles. We’ve only driven the new Countryman on the launch, so we haven’t had much time to gauge real-world efficiency, but as a rough estimate we’d expect real-world range to come in at around 200-250 miles for the E depending on conditions and how you’re driving, or 180- to 240 miles for the SE. We’ll come back to you with more accurate real-world range figures when we’ve had more time in the car. 

Charging in the Mini peaks at 130 kW, but the Mini has also been optimised to maintain a high rate of charging for longer, rather than peaking at the high charging speed for only a few minutes before trailing off – as is the norm even in electric cars that can charge very quickly. Mini states that the Countryman will charge at 100kW as an average, which isn’t bad and will still get you a 10-80% rapid charge in under 30 minutes. 

Practicality and boot space

Boot space in the electric Countryman is very decent, with 460-litres of room – or over three times that if you fold the 40/20/40 split seats. There’s underfloor cable storage, too. Yes, a Tesla Model Y or Skoda Enyaq are roomier still, but they don’t have the Countryman’s premium finish and the Mini will still be a great family car. 

Rear seat space is also good, and a couple of adults will be able to lounge about comfortably. It’s a shame that you don’t get the sliding seats that you can have in the petrol versions of the Countryman, though, as more seating flexibility is always a good thing. 

One thing that we’re not so impressed with in the Mini is that you have to add the optional head-up display to get the speed showing in the driver’s eyeline. Without it, you rely solely on the speed readout that stays permanently at the top of the dinner-plate sized digital readout in the middle of the dash – not dissimilar to the setup that the Tesla Model 3 uses. Otherwise, the driving position is good and will likely be comfy for most drivers.

With a towing capacity of up to 1200kg, the Countryman’s a decent option if you have a light trailer or caravan to tow. 

Interior, Design/Styling & Technology

It’s not often that we can talk about a knitted interior, but the Countryman really does have recycled polyester fabric that’s knitted into a tactile material to finish the dashboard. While knitted polyester sounds about as appealing as a bowl of fish eyes for breakfast, in practice it does look properly modern and appealing, and is very tactile, too. Mini assures us it’s also easy-care and durable. 

The rest of the dash is also pretty cool, with the trademark round display that harks all the way back to the original Issigonis-designed Mini. The display has got a lot bigger, though, even since more recent, modern Minis, and it now houses a 9-inch OLED screen – the first time an OLED screen has appeared in a car. It does bring really vivid colours, and it also uses BMW’s latest Operating System 9 software. We found it to be a bit laggy, and you have to swipe around to find some of the settings, but the main features are up front on the configurable home screen and easy to access. 

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, of course, as is in-built sat-nav with a charger search function that will show you a live update of how many chargers are free at any given location. You can even load your own photos onto the screen’s background, and choose from a selection of games to play to keep you entertained while you charge. There’s also natural voice control, and you can add various apps to the system for additional subscription prices.

Motors, Performance & Handling 

Now, a Mini wouldn’t be a Mini unless it was fun to drive… and the Countryman most definitely is. We drove the Countryman SE ALL4, which has a punchy 313bhp, all-wheel drive and takes 5.6 seconds to get to 62mph.

It’s got a Goldilocks balance about it. On the one hand it’s comfortable and stable – even though you can’t have adaptive dampers on the electric Countryman - yet at the same time you feel nice and connected. It’s peppy, there’s loads of grip, and it takes a corner well even if you’re pushing it. You can really get a feel what’s going on with the front wheels, so it all just feels fun yet easy to live with, and it really suits being electric. 

Of course, you have various modes to opt for; Green is the one if you want maximum range and efficiency, and there’s the wonderfully named Go-Kart mode, which sharpens up the throttle response, gives a bit more weight to the steering and generally stiffens up the feel of the car. It does all come together to feel surprisingly sporty. 

We haven’t tried the Countryman E, yet, which is usefully cheaper and makes do with front-wheel drive and 201bhp for a 0-62mph of 8.6 seconds. We’ll report back when we’ve had a go.

Running Costs & Pricing 

The Countryman E starts at £42,080, and you’ll pay £47,180 for the Countryman SE All4, which is pricey but also competitive with most of the Mini’s premium rivals. Sure, the usefully roomier Tesla Model Y makes it look a bit pricey, but next to the BMW iX1 and Mercedes EQA it’s still good value. Especially as features like adaptive cruise control are standard even on the E, while the SE All4 also includes keyless entry, heated seats and adaptive LED headlights - all of which are part of a ‘Level 1’ pack that you can add to the E for £2,500. Level 2 extends to the panoramic sunroof, heads-up display and Harman Kardon sound system. 

There are also three ‘Styles’ to choose from – Classic, Exclusive and Sport – which affect the exterior style cues, interior colourways and trims of the car. In fact there are many – and we do mean many – ways of personalising the car through colour schemes and extras, even after you’ve selected the model, Style and Level that you may want.

Verdict 

The Countryman is a useful family car, and now it’s also an electric one. But more than that, it’s still got the Mini sense of fun and style, and is pretty great to drive as well. Yes, there are rivals out there with longer range, bigger boots and lower prices – chiefly the Skoda Enyaq and Tesla Model Y. But, for the ‘want one’ factor of the Countryman, and the fact that it is so perky and entertaining to drive while also being practical, classy and filled with tech - it’s not hard to see why you’d go for the Mini over its less interesting rivals. We’re calling this one a winner. 

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