2024 Mini Countryman SE All4 review

The new Mini Countryman Electric has finally landed in Australia.

Bringing EV power to the retro-styled SUV for the first time, the all-new Countryman E and SE replace the previous-generation SE plug-in hybrid, and offer a vibrant and fun take on premium electric motoring.

As before, the Countryman shares its underpinnings with the similarly sized BMW X1 and X2, though the new Countryman is between $10,000 and $15,000 cheaper than the equivalent BMW.

Following our stint behind the wheel in Portugal, we had an Australian launch drive on a very cold and wet Melbourne winter day, where we sampled the Countryman SE, JCW Countryman, Cooper S, and Cooper SE. Here, we’re focusing on the 2024 Mini Countryman SE All4.

With the same powerful dual-motor electric drive setup as xDrive30 versions of the iX1 and iX2 , the Countryman SE All4 may be pitched as an eco-friendly zero-emissions vehicle but it’s also pretty brisk, challenging the JCW Countryman for straight-line pace.

The largest Mini ever has also grown even more, now even less ‘Mini’ in size but easily distinguishable as one thanks to its distinctive design inside and out – the company says it’s now big enough to be the primary family car.

Is this a hidden gem in the electric vehicle (EV) space?

How does the Mini Countryman compare?

View a detailed breakdown of the Mini Countryman against similarly sized vehicles.

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How much does the Mini Countryman cost?

Pricing for the electric Countryman starts from $64,990 before on-road costs, and tops out at $77,990 before on-roads.

To see how the Countryman compares against the competition, use our comparison tool.

What is the Mini Countryman like on the inside?

Quirky, cool and minimalist.

As we’ve seen in the petrol-powered Countryman models as well as the latest Cooper, Mini has pared back its interior design whilst also making it more interesting.

There’s a very restrained approach to physical switchgear with a small pod for key controls under the circular touchscreen – more on that in a bit.

You no longer have an instrument cluster, with the main speedo and gauges now residing on the 9.4-inch central OLED display. There is, however, a flip-up head-up display to show key vehicle functions ahead the driver.

Mini says the design harks back to the original Mini of the 1950s and ’60s, with the circular display acting as a digital speedometer dial – although it’s configurable in what seems like an infinite amount of ways.

Considering the massive price gulf between the Countryman and the X1, I was interested to see if there were any noticeable cost-saving measures in the cabin in this car.

Yes, there are more hard plastics and some more basic finishes compared to the previous model, which I often lauded as a class benchmark for tactility. Mini has smartly applied a range of interesting colours, finishes and textures to spruce things up a little.

The knitted dashboard and door trims come in place of squidgy plastics, for example. The cartoonish steering wheel has less chrome and matte plastic BMW buttons. It’s all a bit simple, but it’s great for usability.

It also has opened up a lot more storage and the feeling of airiness in the cabin. More open spaces mean it feels like there’s a spot for everything, and I’m obsessed with the little storage box between the front seats with pull tab lid that looks like something out of a video game.

Now, that screen. At a quoted 9.4 inches it doesn’t sound huge on paper, but its tall and circular design makes it feel pretty big once you’re in the driver’s seat.

Compared to the previous Mini infotainment unit, which was a redesigned version of the BMW iDrive 6 interface, the company has completely redone the look and feel of the latest BMW Operating System to make it feel bespoke.

There’s a litany of Mini Experience modes that come with their own look and feel as well as silly sounds to signify their activation. Like BMW My Modes, they can tailor the drivetrain, interior lighting and vehicle sounds. You can also choose an individual mode and set it up how you like.

My favourites are the Classic and Go Kart modes, the former pictured above. Some may find it a little naff, but I think all of this customisability is quite fun.

There are a couple of complaints, though.

Apple CarPlay doesn’t take up the circular display and rather shows as like a pop-up square box. It just doesn’t fit the aesthetic.

I’m also not particularly fond of the touch-based climate controls, which I found fiddly to use on the move.

The flip-up head-up display is also a little basic compared to the larger projector-type units in most vehicles these days. Mini says the upright windscreen posed issues when engineering this, and contributed to the polariser design being retained.

It’s better than nothing, and at least the HUD has been upgraded with better graphics and more content than the previous iteration.

The Countryman has grown in every dimension – +147mm in length, +21mm in width and +22mm in wheelbase – which means it’s as grown up and spacious as it has ever been.

While a far cry from the ‘original’ Mini which inspired its design, the latest Countryman has plenty of space for adults in the rear behind taller drivers. I’m 6’1 and fit nicely behind my preferred driving position.

The rear of the centre console does protrude a bit, however, and the Countryman is still fairly compact so don’t expect this to be a proper five-seater if you’re karting full-sized adults often.

The upright and boxy body also means there’s good headroom under the available panoramic sunroof in higher grades, and as you’d expect there’s the requisite ISOFIX and top-tether points to ensure little ones are secured in their car seats.

Other amenities in the second row include a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, directional air vents, rear USB-C charge ports and bottle holders in the doors. The cool knitted finishes and metal accents continue into the rear, too.

The Countryman has also retained its practical boot, which comes courtesy of the shared underpinnings with the BMW X1 and iX1.

Like its BMW sibling, the Countryman SE All4 offers 460 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1450 litres in two-seat configuration. All versions of the Mini Countryman come with a tyre repair kit in place of a spare wheel.

To see how the Countryman compares against the competition, use our comparison tool.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Countryman SE All4 features a dual-motor electric drivetrain with all-wheel drive.

To see how the Countryman compares against the competition, use our comparison tool.

How does the Mini Countryman drive?

While the Classic-spec Countryman SE I drove looks pretty sedate from the outside, there’s quite a lot of muscle underneath its cutesy retro-styled exterior.

The SE picks up a second electric motor on the rear axle compared to the E, bumping system outputs to 230kW and 494Nm. Really, it has equivalent grunt and performance – at least on paper – to the go-fast JCW Countryman.

In its default mode there’s pretty torquey and effortless response in normal driving and a somewhat damped throttle pedal, likely so you don’t slingshot forward and give yourself and your passengers car sickness.

There’s a fairly progressive build of acceleration once you get past that doughy initial travel, and if you put it in Go Kart mode or simply floor it this is a brisk way to get around.

With 494Nm on tap from rest, the Countryman SE really has some punch off the line when you mash it, and is similarly responsive when rolling if you need to make a quick gap or overtake.

Depending on which mode you’re in, acceleration inputs are met with synthesised sounds piped into the cabin, similar to the Hans Zimmer-composed ones in the BMW i range. The tones and intensity change with the selected Experience mode as well as throttle inputs.

Weighing in at 2.0 tonnes, the Countryman SE is far from a featherweight. However, Mini has managed to retain most of the fun-to-drive character its combustion-engined cars are known for.

I’ve driven the iX1 and iX2 xDrive30 and now the Countryman SE, and the Mini is my favourite. The steering is a touch quicker and feels more connected than the BMW siblings, which makes the Countryman feel more dialled in.

There’s a fun and chuckable feel to the chassis, very minimal body roll in bends, and good grip from the electrified all-wheel drive. You can start to feel its weight shift as the speed and intensity climb, but it still feels like a Countryman.

With that said, Mini’s 0-100km/h claim for the Countryman SE is 0.4s off the iX2 xDrive30 and 0.2s slower the iX1 xDrive30. You’d probably only notice those tenths if you lined the three up for a drag race, though.

The Countryman is just as competent on the open road as it is in town, with its more grown-up underpinnings making for a great highway cruiser. It’s planted and surefooted even in the heavy rain we experienced on Melbourne’s Monash Freeway, and the reduced levels of road and wind noise are good for the class.

While the Countryman is good on the freeway, that’s where you’ll see it zap the most juice out of the battery. It’s a shame the DC charge rate is just 130kW, when there are vehicles in the same price segment that can achieve much higher numbers – however, the Mini’s battery is on the smaller side.

We finished our mixed drive route with an indicated readout of 18.9kWh/100km over a mix of freeway and suburban driving with varying traffic conditions and very heavy rain. That equates to a real-world driving range of less than 400 kilometres, though it’s worth noting there were some spirited sections thrown in.

As for driver assistance systems, the Countryman has been treated to a substantial upgrade courtesy of its new platform from BMW.

There’s standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist across the lineup, which is more than the old model could manage. The adaptive cruise (from Classic) has a radar now rather than being just camera-based, too.

Step up to the Classic and you get BMW’s excellent Steering and Lane Control Assistant which facilitates semi-autonomous driving by combining adaptive cruise control with active lane centring. It’s one of the best in the business.

Classic versions also get the handy Surround View cameras with Parking Assistant Plus, giving you a panoramic display of what’s around you. Given the new Countryman’s increased dimensions, this makes parking and low-speed manoeuvres that little bit easier.

What do you get?

Countryman Core highlights:

Driving Dynamics and Technology

• AC Charging Professional, 22kW
• Mode 3 and Mode 2 charging cables
• Electromechanical parking brake with Auto Hold

Exterior

• 4 x exterior paint options
• 3 x roof and mirror options
• 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Asteroid Spoke Silver

Upholstery

• Grey/Blue Cloth/Vescin
• Black/Blue Cloth/Vescin

Driver Assistance

• Attentiveness Assistant
• High Beam Assist
• Interior mirror with anti-dazzle function
• Rain sensor, auto lights
• Speed limiter
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Tyre repair kit
• Warning triangle

Infotainment

• Mini Connected Services
• DAB+ digital radio
• Head-up display
• Personal e-SIM with 5G
• 9.4-inch OLED central display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger

Comfort and Experience

• Adjustable, folding rear seats
• Dual-zone climate control incl. rear vents
• Auto tailgate with kick function
• Comfort access with Digital Key
• Luggage compartment net
• Mini Experience Modes
• Extended ambient lighting
• Steering wheel heating
• 4 x USB-C ports
• 2 x 12V ports
• Auto-dimming, folding exterior mirrors
• LED headlights
• LED daytime running lights
• Roof rails in Black
• Floor mats in Velour
• Sliding front armrest

Core Extras

• Cruise control
• Parking Assistant
  • Front, rear parking sensors
  • Rear camera
• 6 speaker, 100W sound system
• Sport seats
• Sport steering wheel
• Classic Trim Design Elements, Piano Black
• Classic Trim Interior Styling, Dark Blue/Black

Countryman Classic adds:

Exterior

• 7 x exterior paint options
• 3 x roof and mirror options

Classic Extras

• Adaptive cruise control
• Parking Assistant with Surround View
• Automatic Speed Limit Assistant
• Steering and Lane Control Assistant
• Interior camera
• Augmented Reality (AR) navigation
• Seat heating, front
• Panoramic glass sunroof

Countryman Favoured adds:

Exterior

• 9 x exterior paint options
• 3 x roof and mirror options (Countryman E)
• 4 x roof and mirror options (Countryman SE)
• 19-inch alloy wheels (Countryman E)
  • Kaleido Spoke, Vibrant Silver/Black
• 20-inch alloy wheels (Countryman SE, $NCO)
  • Windmill Spoke, Vibrant Silver/Black

Upholstery

• Beige Vescin
• Dark Petrol Vescin
• Vintage Brown Vescin

Favoured Extras

• Harman/Kardon premium sound system
  • 12 speakers
  • 365 Watts
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• John Cooper Works seats
• Active Seat Functions, driver
• Electric front seats with memory
• Sun protection glazing
• Headliner anthracite

JCW Sport adds:

Exterior

• 2 x Sport stripes options
• 19-inch alloy wheels
  • Runway Spoke Black
• 20-inch alloy wheels ($NCO)
  • Flag Spoke Silver/Black

Upholstery

• JCW Black Vescin/Cord

JCW Sport Extras:

• John Cooper Works steering wheel
• John Cooper Works exterior styling
• John Cooper Works interior styling, Black/Red
• John Cooper Works sport brakes

Is the Mini Countryman safe?

The new-generation Mini Countryman hasn’t been crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

Countryman E standard safety features:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Exit warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Intelligent emergency call
• Rear collision prevention
• Front parking sensors
• Reversing camera

Countryman E Classic adds:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Parking assistant
• Surround-view camera
• Automatic speed limiter
• Interior camera
• Drive recorder

How much does the Mini Countryman cost to run?

All Mini models are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty; with hybrid and electric vehicles also getting eight-year/100,000km cover for the high-voltage battery.

To see how the Countryman compares against the competition, use our comparison tool.

CarExpert’s Take on the Mini Countryman

It may be quirky, but there’s plenty to like about Mini’s all-electric crossover.

With this generational overhaul the brand has managed to up the space and tech without sacrificing the character and charm that made the old one so unique. Now, there’s more room for everyone, and fewer emissions.

If you’re looking at something like a BMW iX1, I strongly suggest also checking out the Mini. The drivetrain and tech is pretty much the same with a more fun look and feel, plus you could save yourself $10,000-$15,000.

As for which version you should pick, the Classic is arguably the strongest value – but the Favoured brings about the most (no-cost) options and personalisation which is the fuller Mini experience. Get me a British Racing Green one over Vintage Brown, please…

The SE is also bloody quick, and isn’t all that much pricier than the petrol-powered JCW Countryman.

Yes it lacks the hot hatch-like soundtrack and will offer less range, but the pace and character is there – plus you can even put on a JCW Sport appearance package to make it look almost identical.

I know the inevitable price comparisons to the Tesla Model Y and the like will ensue. I honestly don’t think a typical Tesla buyer is hitting up the Mini showroom; they strike me as completely different buyers.

I’ll also note the average driving range as a pain point particularly for the SE over the E, as sub-400km is sub-par in this day and age where more and more brands are dipping into the 500s.

But the electric Mini makes a lot of sense if you enjoy driving and love the funky retro-inspired styling – I personally definitely fall into that camp. It’s also comfortable, spacious and pretty well priced.

Click the images for the full gallery

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