Review: 2025 Mini Countryman SE ALL4 Is Even Better In Electric Form

We’ve seen carmakers offer an electric version of gasoline-powered models before, but with mixed success. The Mercedes-Benz EQB is an obvious example of an electric vehicle (EV) that’s actually worse than its GLB gas-powered counterpart, while the Hyundai Kona Electric somehow works better as an EV.

But BMW has been mastering this duality between EVs and internal combustion engines (ICEs) for quite some time now. After realizing with the weird and costly iX that dedicated EV platforms are not the best solution for legacy carmakers, the German giant decided instead to build what it calls multi-energy platforms, allowing it to manufacture the same car on the same assembly line with the choice of either ICE, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric powertrains.

And it turned out alright for BMW! The 5 and 7 Series sedans are excellent in both EV and ICE forms, and while the i4 electric sports sedan isn’t exactly an electric 3 Series, it basically drives like one. So, when Mini, BMW’s quirky sub-brand of cute hatchbacks and crossovers, announced that the next-generation Countryman would go down a similar path, I was genuinely intrigued. I’ve always been a fan of the Countryman. It’s the BMW X1’s arguably cooler twin brother. So I had high hopes for its first-ever all-electric version. Turns out going EV actually makes Mini’s subcompact crossover even better.

2025 Mini Countryman SE First Impressions: Same Great (And Large!) Package As The ICE Model

When I drove the ICE Countryman S last fall, I was flabbergasted by how massive this Mini is now. Yet, it also totally makes sense considering this is the model that constitutes the bulk of Mini sales. And since the Countryman exists mostly to keep the entire brand afloat (soon alongside the Aceman crossover), the Countryman is somewhat excused for not connecting its styling with Mini’s past.

So, while this larger, wider and much heavier Countryman bares no true resemblance with any other Mini that came before it, it still carries with it the sort of charming quirkiness I’ve personally always loved about the brand. The Countryman looks all square-jawed now, tough and ready for adventure. It looks purposeful, active, young and fun. I also totally dig my tester’s contrasting sort of bronze-ish, off-white roof and trim.

You’ll also never know this is the electric version unless you know your Minis. Only the fluorescent yellow S badge and the lack of an exhaust pipe reveal that this Countryman runs on battery power alone. My only gripe with the car I was driving was that the black winter wheel package diluted the Countryman’s otherwise vibrant styling.

2025 Mini Countryman SE Exterior Dimensions

2025 Mini Countryman SE: Differences Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

In other parts of the world, Mini sells the electric Countryman in different configurations, but here in the U.S. and Canada, it’s only offered as the ALL4 dual-all-wheel-drive S model. The main distinction between both markets lies in the way the two available trim levels are called and packaged.

For instance, in the U.S., you can get your Countryman SE in either Signature Plus or Iconic variants, while in Canada, those two trims are called Premier and Premier +. Both markets, however, offer the choice of either a Classic or Favoured style, as well as the same nine available paint colors. Both markets also allow you to paint the color of your roof either white, silver (which is actually this bronze-like tint), black or body color.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown And Starting MSRP (model tested in bold below)

Driving Impressions And Performance: It’s Quick! And Fun, The Way A Mini Should Be

When I drove the last-generation Mini Cooper electric, I said that converting a MINI to electric propulsion makes a ton of sense. After all, these cars are mostly urban playthings. Electric power also gives them the instant acceleration and zippy personality we expect from the Mini brand. That electric Cooper was also a heck of a lot of fun, so I expected the same from this Countryman.

None of its driving experience was lost by converting the Countryman to battery power. If anything, the instant acceleration of 308 combined horsepower, just four hp less than the John Cooper Works Model, gives this family-oriented Mini the straight-line muscle it needs to wear an S badge. But more impressive than that is the 69-pound-foot bump in instant torque versus the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, for a total of 364 pound-feet.

The Countryman SE may weigh a whopping 1,200 pounds more than its ICE equivalent due to the 64.6-kWh lithium-ion battery it carries in its floor, but it never lets that weight ruin crisp acceleration launches. On paper, Mini claims this is a full second slower from 0 to 60 MPH than a JCW, but the instant rush of its EV propulsion helps mitigate this loss from how quick it launches.

Neither does this Countryman feel bloated in the corners, where the SE exhibits the same puppy-dog agility and willingness to play through a hyper-rigid chassis, a firm, quick-reacting steering, and tons of grip provided by a pair of electric motors. And with MINI pumping in fake engine sounds through the cabin like it does for the ICE model, it’s honestly quite difficult to distinguish this EV from its turbocharged twin. Only the snappy gear shifts from the JCW’s dual-clutch transmission would give it away. From behind the wheel, they both feel almost the same.

2025 Mini Countryman SE Technical Specifications

2025 Mini Countryman SE Energy Consumption Range And Charging

The EPA rates the Countryman SE’s range with 18-inch wheels – like the way I was driving – at 212 miles. With a set of 19-inch wheels, that number drops slightly to 204 miles. The onboard charger for level 2 AC home charging is rated at 11 kW, while the DC fast-charging rate on a compatible charger is set at 130 kW, a relatively low number in a world where Teslas and Hyundais easily pull north of 200 kW.

During my time with the car, I attempted one fast-charging cycle on a 100 kW charger at an average outdoor temperature of 3 degrees Celsius (37.4 Farenheit). I did not precondition the battery beforehand, which surprisingly still led to a steady 60-kW charge curve during a 29-minute cycle.

As for range and consumption, due to the relatively cool weather through which I was driving the Countryman SE, I averaged 27.2 kWh/100 (77 MPGe) over a 435-mile run. This translates into a real-world range figure of 148 miles.

EPA And As-Tested Energy Consumption And Range

Interior Design And Comfort: Neat Fabrics, Comfortable Seats And Lots Of Room

Even inside, it’ll be virtually impossible to distinguish this electric Countryman over its ICE counterpart, as they’re both essentially identical. But that’s a good thing given how neat the regular Countryman’s cabin is, with its warm-feeling materials, cool color combinations and retro-inspired, minimalist design. It’s all very welcoming in there, with solid build quality and premium-feeling materials all around. The Countryman feels like a quality item.

There are a few disappointments, like the total absence of a physical rev counter. In its place, Mini put a heads-up display. While still effective, it takes away from the classic Mini rev counter that would move around with the steering wheel when adjusting it. I’m also still not a fan of that dinky little gear selector on the dashboard, although for an EV, which effectively doesn’t have any gears, it makes a bit more sense.

But it’s the space and practicality of this interior that’s truly impressive. The Countryman may sit in the subcompact crossover category, but it’s clearly grown into a compact. Front storage is ample through deep door pockets and what appears to be a pencil case that acts as a central storage unit. Rear legroom is also ample, even when tall passengers are sitting up front. And head clearance is never an issue given the Countryman’s upright stance and squared-off roof.

2025 Mini Countryman SE Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use: Circular Screen Is Fun To Use And Quick To React, But It Is Loaded

In typical Mini fashion, the Countryman houses most of its controls and features inside a circular infotainment system, a direct reference to the original Mini’s circular speedometer. For this generation of the Countryman, even more information was crammed into it in an attempt to reduce the number of physical buttons, but also to stay in tune with the car’s minimalist vibe.

Generally speaking, the entire system is rather pleasant to look at and use. Mini puts at your disposal different Experiences to set the mood according to your preferences, which not only changes the look of the entire system, but also fiddles with the car’s ambient lighting and even alters the Countryman’s driving characteristics. It’s all very joyful and fun, with a spunky Go-Kart mode that changes the entire gauge screen into a rad, sports-car-like gauge cluster. Wireless Android Auto, in my case, connected fast and effortlessly.

But it’s also a very loaded system, meaning there’s a lot happening in there. It could take you a while to get your head around it. You’ll also need to dig deep into this system to remove basic driving aids you may not want, things like adaptive cruise control or lane keep assist. And since the system doesn’t remember your prior settings, you’ll need to repeat the sequence each time, which is honestly kind of a drag. Generally speaking, though, this is a rather great system.

Cargo And Storage Space: Very Practical, But Some EV Rivals Do Better

Another benefit of using the same platform for both ICE and EV models is that there’s very little compromise for going electric. The Countryman’s cargo space numbers are a clear case in point, as you only lose 0.8 cu-ft of default cargo space when the seats are in place over its ICE equivalent. This allows the SE to be rather practical for its size, but it still gets dethroned in total cargo space by models like the Volvo EX40 (16 cu-ft/65.5 cu-ft) and the Mercedes-Benz EQB (25.9 cu-ft/61.8 cu-ft)

2025 Mini Countryman SE Cargo Space

The Mini Countryman Is Great. Just Choose Your Fuel

From the get-go, the 2025 Mini Countryman was always a very accomplished subcompact premium crossover. While this new one may not be all that affordable, it does a bang-up job of blending Mini’s classic design attributes and fun-to-drive nature with the superb build quality and driving dynamics of a BMW. And with this new generation model now being larger, the Countryman finally deserves a spot among the truly usable small crossovers due to its ample cabin space, storage and cargo capacity. Whether you opt for this electric one or the gasoline-powered Countryman is really up to you. Either way, this thing is a joy.