All-New 2025 Mini Countryman: Setting the Standard for EVs

Mar 06, 2024 02:54 AM EST

WHITE AND RED MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN — (Photo : PEXELS/Maria Geller )

Mini has thoughtfully redesigned the 2025 Countryman with an emphasis on functionality. The redesigned model now stands four inches taller, one inch wider, and notably longer at six inches. Mini's commitment to switch to electric vehicles entirely by 2030 was formerly seen as unlikely, but it now appears plausible. To truly sway the masses toward electrification, a more substantial and pragmatic approach is imperative.

First Ever Mini Countryman

As reported by Engadget, the 2025 Mini Countryman will cater to traditionalists with a gasoline engine option. However, the spotlight belongs to the all-electric Countryman SE, priced at $45,200. Boasting 313 horsepower and 363 pound-feet of torque, it offers impressive speed along with enhanced practicality due to its expanded cargo space.

According to a report by EVs InsideEVs Global, the media event did not feature the gasoline-powered 2025 Countryman S, indicating a future release. This marks Mini's inaugural introduction of an EV iteration for its largest vehicle. Initial impressions indicate that despite being designed to support internal-combustion drivetrains, the all-electric Countryman emerges as the more practical choice, based on experiences with both the JCW and the SE models.

2025 Mini Countryman SE All4

The Countryman SE is equipped with dual electric motors, providing all-wheel drive with a combined power output of 313 hp and 364 lb-ft of torque. This performance is notably comparable to the powerful JCW variant, with the SE trailing by a modest margin in torque but closely matching its horsepower. Mini's estimation suggests that the all-electric Countryman SE can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds, just two-tenths slower than the JCW.

Within the vehicle, the dashboard adorned with textile upholstery embodies a minimalist approach that falls short of expectations. While the design's simplicity is visually appealing, featuring a compact array of controls in lieu of a traditional center stack, the reliance on physical buttons and toggles for functions such as powering the vehicle, gear selection, parking brake engagement, and stereo volume adjustment is notable.

However, the operational effectiveness of the expansive circular OLED touchscreen, responsible for managing most other functionalities, did not meet expectations based on first-hand experience.

Ars Technica reports the 2017 plug-in hybrid Mini Countryman that was previously put through testing has been replaced by the third-generation model. Despite its tiny increase in size, it is still very small compared to most cars. Its dimensions are 72.6 inches (1,843 mm) in width, 65.2 inches (1,656 mm) in height, and 174.5 inches (4,433 mm) in length. Furthermore, the Countryman's drag coefficient of just 0.26 demonstrates its exceptional aerodynamic efficiency.

A 66.5 kWh lithium-ion traction battery powers the all-wheel drive electric vehicle, which generates 313 horsepower (230 kW) and 365 lb-ft (494 Nm) of torque. In 5.6 seconds, it can accelerate from a standstill to 62 mph (100 km/h). It is only little slower than the Ferrari, which reaches 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Its acceleration capabilities are also comparable to a Testarossa. It can travel at up to 112 mph (180 km/h).

The synthetic driving sounds produced in the cabin of the Countryman SE ALL4 were noted by the individual as being rather over the top, potentially representing a highlight of their experience with the vehicle.