Skip to main content

All new MINI Countryman is more of a small SUV than a large MINI, and we love it

Finally, a little brother for the BMW X1

2025 MINI Countryman EV
MINI

If you want a car that drives like a MINI Cooper, but with more interior space and a higher ground clearance, the MINI Countryman is your best option. Since its introduction in 2010, it’s never been sold without an internal combustion engine. The hybrid model with an electric range of up to 25 miles doesn’t count since it doesn’t offer the full benefits of driving an EV.

The upcoming 2025 MINI Countryman will be its first all-electric model, which will make it even more exciting to drive if you love the go-kart experience. But that’s not all; it will be the largest MINI Countryman ever made and bigger than any MINI vehicle. The gasoline-powered MINI Countryman model will also be available with a six-speed manual transmission. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Recommended Videos

The all-electric MINI Countryman will be offered in two models — the Countryman E and Countryman SE. The MINI Countryman E is fitted with electric motors on the front wheels that can produce 150 kW/204 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft of torque. If you step on the accelerator, it should hit 0 to 62 mph in about 8.6 seconds.

Front view of MINI Countryman EV
MINI

The MINI Countryman SE is where things get more interesting. It comes with two motors for an all-wheel drive performance that makes it thrilling to drive. It’s also the most powerful MINI Countryman ever made since it can deliver up to 313 horsepower and 364 lb.-ft of torque due to its 230 kW motors. As for the acceleration, it can achieve 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds — but it’s still not quicker than the turbocharged MINI Countryman JCW.

Even though the MINI Countryman SE has a better performance than the MINI Countryman E, it has a lower battery range. More succinctly, it has a range of 269 miles, while the Countryman E offers a range of 287 miles. This isn’t surprising, considering Countryman SE has traded a longer battery range for top-tier performance — the faster it accelerates, the quicker the battery drains. Nevertheless, the range of the MINI Countryman EV is still impressive if you compare it with its competitors like the Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric, which have a lower battery range. 

MINI Countryman EV interior.
MINI / MINI

Interestingly, the new electric MINI Countryman EV is more of a small SUV than a large MINI. It has been redesigned with a longer wheelbase, a higher exterior, an increased width, and larger wheels. Since it doesn’t have an engine, it offers more interior space and a bigger luggage compartment.

It also comes with all the interior features available in the recently unveiled new MINI Cooper Electric, including a central OLED display, intelligent personal assistant, and panoramic glass roof. Besides that, other optional features, such as massage and trailer hitch that aren’t available on the MINI Cooper Electric, have been included. Of course, BMW didn’t forget to add the Go-Kart Mode.

The 2025 MINI Countryman EV is expected in U.S. dealerships by September 2024, while the 2025 gas-powered models are expected to be delivered in early May of next year.

James Dolan
Former Contributor
James Dolan is an automotive writer with extensive work experience having been published on The Drive, Hot Cars, Green…
MasterCraft goes bigger and bolder with all-new XStar lineup
Aggressive and impressive, the XStar boats are ready for fun on the water
MasterCraft XStar X23 high performance wav and wakeboard boat on water right side view.

MasterCraft redesigned its XStar lineup of luxury performance wave and wakeboard boats for 2025. In addition to introducing the 2025 XStar 23 and XStar 25, MasterCraft also announced a partnership with Chevy, naming the Chevy Silverado as the official MasterCraft tow truck.

2025 MasterCraft XStar | 25 Years in the Making

Read more
Formula E Season 11 race schedule finalized, will debut new race cars
Faster than F1 cars, the new Gen3 Evo cars will also have AWD
The ABB FIA Formula E 2024-25 calendar starts with a race at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar for Season 11 has just been finalized following the FIA's World Motor Sport Council's October meeting. The 2024/25 schedule will see 11 teams of two drivers each compete in 16 races in ten cities, starting December 7 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and ending in London, England, on July 27. Season 11 is also the new Gen3 Evo car, the fastest accelerating FIA single-seat race car ever and 30% faster than current Formula 1 cars.
Why Formula E is such a big deal

Formula E is the only FIA motorsports championship that has created zero emissions with its race cars starting with its first season. All-electric race cars are the signature environmentally conscious elements of Formula E racing, but the Championship also focuses on carbon neutral or better in all of its operations, including transporting fans to and from stadiums.
Formula E Season 11

Read more
Formula E to include all-women teams in pre-season trials with newest race car specs
The FIA wants to advance gender equality and support women in motorsports
Formula E announces test session for women racing drivers.

The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) announced an FIA Formula E test session for 11 all-women race teams that must include at least one woman driver on each team. The test session, which will occur on November 7 at Ricardo Tomo Circuit in Valencia, Spain, will give qualifying elite women racing drivers a chance to drive the next-gen all-electric Formula E race car. This session will be the first all-women test session of an FIA Championship.
The significance of the all-women test session with the GEN3 Formula E race car
Motorsports are open to women drivers, but women only hold 3% of the active top-tier FIA racing licenses worldwide. According to a FIAFormula E news release, the organization is conducting the Valencia test as part of a long-term plan to break down barriers and increase opportunities for women in the all-electric championship. The goal is not just to create a single opportunity but to address and eliminate the systemic issues that have restricted women's involvement and growth.
Additional FIA activities to support women in motorsport

Running an extended program for up to 400 young women at the Valencia test, where they can meet women racing drivers, watch them in action, and join workshops to explore motorsport careers.
Collaborating with teams and partners to offer more support for women drivers, including engineering help, simulator practice, future testing, and coaching to develop their skills.
Learning from successful women in other sports to gain insights into overcoming challenges and promoting diversity in motorsport.
New technology, like power steering (coming in 2026), will be added to improve driving for both men and women.
Expanding the FIA Girls on Track initiative in Season 11, aiming to get more young women involved and continue the program’s success.
Working with diverse and women-led groups to find and remove barriers for women and girls entering motorsport at all levels.

Read more