The 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 represents a significant step for the iconic British brand, blending its renowned driving character with a fully electric powertrain. As MINI’s inaugural all-electric SUV, it aims to deliver both practicality and excitement to families and urban drivers. While it succeeds in a number of key areas, the Countryman SE ALL4 has some notable shortcomings.
A Zippy Performer in the City
Despite its compact SUV size, the Countryman SE ALL4 delivers impressive performance. The dual electric motors produce a combined 308 horsepower and 364 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the quicker options in its class. Acceleration is brisk, with a 0-60 mph time of approximately 5.5 seconds. This makes it more than capable for quick bursts of speed off the line or merging onto highways.
The instant torque from the electric drivetrain makes the Countryman particularly engaging in city driving. Its 0-60 time rivals some performance-oriented cars, and its energetic acceleration adds to the fun on city streets.
For drivers who enjoy a sporty experience, MINI’s “Go-Kart Mode” sharpens the steering and throttle response even further, enhancing the driving dynamics. Whether navigating through tight urban streets or enjoying a more open road, the Countryman SE ALL4 maintains the brand’s heritage for lively handling.
One of the Best Parking Systems Available
MINI has equipped the Countryman SE ALL4 with a range of advanced technology, notably excelling with its parking assistance features. Intuitive assistance makes both parallel and perpendicular parking effortless, which is incredibly helpful for city living.
Sensors and cameras provide precise guidance, and the automated parking system can take over entirely when needed. MINI’s parking system makes conventional reversing cameras feel outdated. The Countryman provides a top-down, 360-degree view of the car, giving the driver an accurate perspective of the vehicle’s position relative to its surroundings. The system offers a clear view of the wheels and the curb when parking.
A Modern, Upscale Interior
Inside, the SUV features a modern, minimalist cabin. The standout element is the circular infotainment screen, which serves as the central control hub, providing a crisp display for various vehicle functions. Interior materials are upscale for the segment, including premium fabric door panels and available massaging seats, adding a touch of luxury.
The Countryman includes a generous sunroof that extends across both rows of seats. The sunroof can be retracted halfway, letting the sun shine into the front seats. In place of a traditional instrument cluster, drivers get a minimal heads-up display showing speed, navigation directions, and music information.
The driver also gets a thick steering wheel and other nice quality-of-life features, like easy exit seat adjustments. This feature moves the seat when exiting the vehicle to make it easier to get out and quickly returns to the last saved driving position when the driver enters the car and starts it up.
Where the Countryman Falls Short
Despite its strengths, the Countryman SE ALL4 has some notable drawbacks. One of the most significant is its range. With an EPA estimate of 212 miles (204 miles with the optional 19-inch wheels), it falls short of competitors like the Volvo XC40 Recharge and Genesis GV60, which offer at least 230 miles per charge. While this may not be a significant issue for daily commutes, those who often take longer road trips might find the limited range frustrating.
Another area of concern is the control layout. To achieve a sleek, button-free interior design, the Countryman sacrifices some user-friendliness. The dashboard features only a small number of physical buttons, and the remaining controls are accessed through the circular infotainment screen. Navigating the menu can be unintuitive.
Styling: A Matter of Taste
MINI is known for its distinctive design. The newest Countryman retains that instantly recognizable MINI aesthetic, although the overall design feels like a slightly awkward, bulkier version of the MINI everyone remembers.
It’s difficult to point to any single design element as the problem. But the overall styling of the new Countryman seems a little off.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 is an appealing option for those who value urban agility, stylish design, and advanced technology. Its responsive acceleration and impressive parking assistance make it a great choice for city drivers.
However, its limited range and sometimes unintuitive interior controls may be downsides for some consumers. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a fun-to-drive electric SUV with personality and don’t mind those drawbacks, the Countryman SE ALL4 is worth considering. But if range and user-friendly controls are priorities, there are other compelling EVs on the market.
