Currently reading: Mini Countryman gains 287-mile electric variant from £42,025

New-generation SUV upsized to go after the Audi Q3, with new look and petrol power also on offer

Mini has revealed pricing and specification details for the new Mini Countryman, the largest model in its range, which will grow in size and go on sale with a choice of petrol and electric options. 

The new Mini Countryman will cost £29,025 in the UK. It shares the same specification levels as the new electric Mini Cooper - which will be launched alongside its SUV sibling in electric-only guise - but can also be selected as a sporty John Cooper Works performance model. 

Standard equipment on entry-level Classic models includes the firm’s updated, 9.45in circular infotainment display, a reversing camera, a power tailgate, LED headlights and automatic wipers. Keyless go is also a basic feature, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Next-step Exclusive cars start from £31,525 and come with a digital driver's display behind the steering wheel, automatic headlights and silver exterior trim. This specification also includes brown dashboard upholstery and front sports seats. 

Countryman Sport models kick off from £32,725 and receive Mini atmospheric Experience Modes, plus a hexagonal-design grille surround, sturdier John Cooper Works sports seats, sports brakes and JCW-inspired dashboard upholstery. 

Mini countryman front

John Cooper Works cars gain a performance-inspired exterior makeover, plus a dual-clutch sports transmission, wireless phone charging, a premium Harman Kardon sound system and a glossy front grille. JCW cars are also fitted with dynamic stability control and a set of 19in alloy wheels. Prices start from £40,425. 

Three petrol engines will be available – two 1.5-litre turbo triples and a 2.0-litre turbo four-pot from the BMW X1. The Countryman C has 167bhp at its front wheels; the S All4 has 215bhp going to both axles; and the JCW All4 gets 296bhp and 295lb ft of torque for a 0-62mph time of 5.4sec. 

Meanwhile, the electric Mini Countryman commands a significantly higher price tag, kicking off from £42,025 in the UK. Exclusive models start from £44,525, while top-rung Sport variants cost £200 more at £45,725.

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There will be two electric options at launch: the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive Electric E with 201bhp and the dual-motor, four-wheel-drive Electric SE All4 with 309bhp. 

Both feature a 64.7kWh battery, which offers official ranges of 287 and 269 miles and can be rapid-charged at rates of up to 130kW. 

Mini countryman boot with suitcase

The Countryman has grown substantially for its third generation. Being twinned with the latest BMW X1, the Countryman is 60mm longer and 130mm than its predecessor, in part to create room in the line-up for the forthcoming Mini Aceman crossover. 

“There’s no Mini in this segment,” company CEO Stefanie Wurst told Autocar, emphasising the impact the increase in size will have on the Countryman’s market positioning. 

The SUV “will have new customers” as a result, she said, whereas the subtler evolution of the new Mini Cooper hatchback has been aimed at retaining existing customers. 

The Countryman’s exterior design is a clear evolution from the previous two generations, featuring touches also seen on the new Cooper, such as the octagonal front grille and revamped headlights and tail-lights. Its C-pillar treatment has also been reworked. 

The interior features a similarly minimalist look as in the Cooper, with the dashboard dominated by an identical touchscreen. The SUV’s increased length has allowed for an enlarged centre console featuring larger cupholders and an extra 130mm of leg room in the back, where the backrests are now individually adjustable. 

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There’s 460-1450 litres of boot space – also representing a slight improvement – plus an underfloor cubby for storing the EV’s charging cables. 

Notably, the Countryman will be the first Mini to offer level-two driver assistance, including hands-off driving at speeds of up to 37mph. 

First ride: Mini Countryman SE All4

The new Mini Countryman shares a lot of its underpinnings and powertrains with the X1 and iX1, so is it a case of ‘see our BMW X1 review’ for the way it drives? Mini’s engineers are at pains to point out that any Mini should feel like a Mini and have ‘go-kart feeling’. 

The latter is likely to be a bit of an overstatement in what's likely going to be a two-tonne EV, but there's certainly room to make the X1 feel a bit more direct and engaging.

At a recent event, I got the opportunity of a short passenger ride in a prototype of the new Countryman. The big change is that it’s noticeably roomier in the back, and the boot space has been boosted too.

Mini countryman drive front

Even more obvious is the revolution that has taken place up front. The dashboard and centre console have lost nearly all their buttons, including the rotary infotainment controller. All have been replaced by a very large, very thin, circular OLED touchscreen. 

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The only physical controls that are left are confined to a small panel with a handful of shortcut buttons, plus the drive selector and the start-stop switch, which takes the form of a classic ignition key affixed to the dash.

The car still ran a prototype build of the infotainment system, with numerous unfinished features and lots of bugs, so it would be unfair to cast judgement on whether this move has been successful. It seems substantially different from the current BMW iDrive system, however.

Mini countryman interior 1

On the road, the Countryman shares some characteristics with the iX1, of course. Having the same powertrain, it's more than quick enough, and it gets three normal fixed regenerative-braking modes, plus an adaptive mode and a one-pedal ‘B’ mode that will bring the car to a complete stop.

Despite that, it’s quite striking how different the chassis feels from the iX1's. Unlike that car, the Countryman runs passive dampers and fixed-ratio steering, and even from the passenger seat, there's something about its ride and roll rates that makes it feel more alive than the iX1.

This is designed to be a more comfortable car than the outgoing one, as befits its more family-friendly remit. Nevertheless, it’s quite firm-riding, which could prove too much in the UK, but it deals with potholes remarkably well.

The vehicle dynamics engineer who drove us around said the steering where most of the Mini character will come from, but that’s something to verify when we actually get behind the wheel – hopefully later this year.

Illya Verpraet

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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Commenter 5 October 2023
Looks like a real countryman in the Austin sense, and blurs boundary as to whether this is a van, estate, or suv. Putting rear number plate at bottom near bumper declutter the tailgate.
Citytiger 3 October 2023

The electric Countryman, is already more expensive, less powerful and has a shorter range than the soon to be released Volvo EX30, oh and its significantly uglier. 

Good luck selling that. 

nivison 3 October 2023

It will to those who care about it at least being manufactured in a democracy where the workers get decent pay and conditions, and independent unions.

BearR 4 October 2023
nivison wrote:

It will to those who care about it at least being manufactured in a democracy where the workers get decent pay and conditions, and independent unions.

Democratic in name only.  Choice of two pantomime parties who both have the same agenda, keeping their donors & mates extremely rich.  Their mantra; pay your taxes, don’t question anything.

What about ‘Western interference’ in Indian democratic elections.  Imran Khan who is now in jail.

Oh by the way China’s Social Security System consists of 5 mandatory insurance schemes (pension fund, medical insurance, industrial injury insurance, unemployment insurance, and maternity insurance) a housing fund.

scrap 6 September 2023

Looks like a terrible, low effort Chinese copycat of the Countryman... but apparently this is the real thing?!