The age of the boring electric vehicle is over, and with the upcoming 2025 Countryman SE ALL4, Mini is trying to show that even electric crossovers can be fun and funky.
Mini revealed its largest SUV ever last year, and now it's almost ready to go on sale. Though the Countryman's increased dimensions will give some fans of the brand pause, after a day spent driving the electric version in Portugal, I can gladly attest that this EV exudes the spunk and personality of its predecessors, though tempered somewhat by a necessary dose of practicality.
Photo: Tim Stevens
When the new 2025 Countryman goes on sale later this year, it'll be available in three trims, starting with the gas-powered Countryman S at $38,900. The other internal combustion model is the sportier Countryman John Cooper Works, at $46,900. The electric Countryman SE splits the difference with a starting price of $45,200.
Having a fully electric version available when the third-generation Countryman goes on sale is a big deal, and its pricing seems fair. For this review, I drove a Countryman SE equipped with the optional Driving Assistant Professional package, automatic parking assistance, sports seats, and Slate Blue paint. Formal pricing with those upgrades was not available at the time of writing, but with destination charges, a ballpark figure of $50,000 is within the realm of possibility.
Photo: Tim Stevens
Bigger cars can be boring cars. So the designers of the new Countryman went a little out of their way to add the visual spice that makes a Mini savory. And it's the interior that boasts the most flavor.
Step inside the new 2025 Countryman, and a layout unlike any other car in production greets you, dominated by a large, central, circular touchscreen display. The organic LED (OLED) panel propped up high on the dashboard measures 9.4 inches in diameter and is delightfully thin. It's a real technology showcase, but isn't the only interior highlight.
Mini wraps the dashboard in a textile material similar to the woven sneakers that were all the rage a year ago. Unfortunately, that approach is falling from favor on this year's round of stylish kicks, but that doesn't prevent the sweeping sections of the stuff from looking fresh and unique on the Countryman.
Much of the rest of the interior is typical Mini, including the chunky toggle switchgear beneath the center display and a layout that mixes practicality and cleverness. The only slight frustration is a small storage cubby between the seats that looks like it should be adjustable but instead is bolted into place.
The front and rear seats are comfortable, with abundant headroom in each seating position. Legroom in the back is limited but is certainly an upgrade over the outgoing Countryman. So, too, is the cargo space, which Mini says is up by 25 percent. No formal figures are available, but for reference, the last Countryman had 17.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.6 with them down.
All that cargo space is thanks to the increased length of the Countryman, which has grown by five inches over the last model. It's immediately apparent how much bigger the new Countryman has become. Still, the sharper, modern styling suits its new plus-sized dimensions well.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The 2025 Countryman's circular infotainment system runs Mini's Operating System 9, redesigned to take advantage of the round display. The software is a delight to look at, flowing and dynamic yet easy to use. Tap the temperature controls, for example, and the color of the display cycles subtly to match. Change driving modes and the color theme also changes.
It is perhaps the freshest user interface I've ever seen in a car, but sadly, it is also among the slowest. Cycling between displays resulted in stuttering pauses and hiccups, and I also experienced several bugs and glitches. This situation must improve before the new Countryman hits U.S. dealers later this year, hopefully giving Mini's software developers enough time to make it good.
The native UI provides a digital voice assistant, stylized with an animated dog that pops up whenever you make a spoken request. Sadly, even that part of the experience was sluggish and unresponsive. It's a good thing the tech wirelessly supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Thankfully, the Countryman's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) worked great. The Countryman SE comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability. The test vehicle also had the Driving Assistant Professional package, adding lane-centering assistance with an automatic lane-change function and a hands-free traffic jam assistance system.
While Minis are usually a cinch to park, the Countryman's extra dimensions made me glad for the surround-view camera. On the highway, the adaptive cruise control system adjusted the SUV's speed smoothly to match traffic, while the lane-centering assistance system gently ensured that I stayed in the middle of my lane.
Photo: Tim Stevens
Minis and electric motors go together like peanut butter and chocolate. The outgoing Mini Cooper SE three-door hatchback was a real charmer, and the electric flavor of the Countryman is likewise a treat. The instant acceleration response from the pair of electric motors means this bigger SUV feels lively.
Of course, that's thanks to the 313 horsepower and 363 pound-feet of torque, enough to compensate for the weight of the Countryman SE's batteries. And you can feel that weight. Where the gas-powered Countryman exhibits a soft but still engaging character, the Countryman SE floats and bobs.
Hit a large bump or one of Portugal's many speed humps, and there's an extra moment of movement before the suspension settles, and all is calm again. It's not a problem from a handling standpoint. The Countryman is still fun enough through the corners, but it's safe to say this SUV doesn't hide its weight as well as some other EVs.
But then many other EVs offer a painfully harsh ride over imperfect pavement, and the Countryman is anything but that. It has an overall comfortable feeling spoiled by a bit of wind noise at higher speeds.
One way to compensate for that is with the Countryman SE's built-in synthetic engine noises. In sporty Go Kart mode, you get a deep, futuristic tone whenever you hit the accelerator hard. The longer you hold it, the more intense that sound becomes until you finally lift your foot.
When you do, the acoustic theatrics don't end. There's a sci-fi flutter and momentary whir before things get quiet again. It's all a bit much, and I think more people will hate it than love it, but I am surprised to say that I count myself in the latter group.
When you do lift off the accelerator, by default, the Mini Countryman SE just keeps on coasting without evident regenerative braking. But a quick tap of the shifter down into B mode changes that. In that mode, the Mini has a generous amount of regen, enough to bring the SUV to a complete stop.
While the EPA hasn't rated the efficiency and range of the 2025 Countryman SE, Mini estimates roughly 245 miles of travel is possible from a full charge of the 66.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack.
Though the performance-tuned 2025 Mini Countryman John Cooper Works has a harder edge for driving enthusiasts, the electric Countryman SE ALL4 is a far better drive for me. It's calm and (mostly) quiet around town but will still leap forward like a scalded cat when pushed, all while emitting an oddly compelling lilt that will make you smile. Pair that with the interior of a concept car and plenty of practicality, and you have a real winner.
Unfortunately, it's not without compromises. For example, the range is far from class-leading. Also, modern Minis have always come at a premium price, and this one is no different. Whether or not you decide if a Mini Countryman is worth it is entirely up to you and your budget.
Still, the starting price puts the Countryman SE right in line with rivals ranging from the Audi Q4 E-tron to the Volvo XC40 Recharge. With its fun driving dynamics and that wild interior, the new 2025 Mini Countryman SE makes a compelling alternative to both.
Tim Stevens is a veteran automotive and technology journalist with over 25 years of experience covering everything from smartphones to supercars. In addition to JDPower.com, his expert perspectives have appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including print, online, and broadcast television.
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