MINI Countryman SE ALL4: The Highlights

• Driving experience: Treat yourself to a close-up view of its city’s quickness and well-padded autobahn ride.
• Performance and handling: Experience how the 313hp dual-motor configuration accelerates with thrilling pace and quintessential go-kart handling.
• Practicality and Interior: Check out the roomy 460-litre boot, the family-friendly features and the high-end cabin design.
• Technology and features: Find out about the all-new 24cm circular OLED display as well as sophisticated driver assistance features.
• Charging and running costs: Calculate real-world charging rates and ownership savings for UK drivers.
• Competitive landscape: Take the Countryman for a spin against such key competitors as the Volvo EX30 and Audi Q4 e-tron.

Driving Dynamics of the MINI Countryman SE ALL4

Switching into the driving cabin of the new Countryman SE ALL4 brings on a strange feeling: it is at once both familiar and completely different. The experience is centred around the sharp, go-kart steering that is truly MINI, which provides an immediate, tactile connection to the road. And yet now this classic responsiveness is delivered in a much more mature and refined package. It’s a clear evolution of the brand’s driving philosophy: keeping all the fun but raising refinement to another level.” From the moment you drive one, the car definitely tells you what it wants to do, and you feel confident because of that.When it comes to busy city streets, the Countryman SE ALL4 is at its best. The instant torque from the two electric motors makes accelerating through traffic or pulling away from corners as easy and fun games. For so large a vehicle, it handles as if it were a sports car, making it feel quite nimble and agile when trying to manoeuvre through tight spaces. Parking is no longer a hassle with its smallish footprint and superb visibility all around. The ride quality is perfectly balanced; while it’s taut enough to make you feel connected to the road, it’s not abrasive, it soaks up potholes and speed bumps with a poise that feels much more evolved than that of the cars that went before it. A highlight when it comes to city driving is definitely the one-pedal mode, which is very efficient. When the regenerative braking is adjusted to its maximum level, you can deal with most traffic full stops without having to step on the brake at all, which makes the daily commute a lot easier and less stressful.On the motorway, the Countryman SE ALL4 is an excellent long-distance traveller. The interior cabin is quiet, wind and road noise are minimised, which makes on long drives. The driver aids, in particular the adaptive cruise control, are intelligent and operate smoothly, lending a hand without being invasive. There’s always a deep reserve of power at hand; a mere pressure of your right foot delivers a brisk, silent burst for overtaking lorries and dawdling traffic. The SE ALL4’s all-wheel-drive system adds a degree of confidence and stability, allowing the car to feel grounded and secure, even more so in the weather conditions (sometimes) experienced on British motorways.

• Enjoy an immediate connection to the road with classic, sharp steering
• Navigate city traffic effortlessly with instant electric torque
• Simplify urban driving and boost range using one-pedal mode
• Relax on long journeys with a quiet cabin and intuitive adaptive cruise control
• Drive with confidence in all weather, thanks to the stable all-wheel-drive system

Unleashing the Thrill: MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Performance

MINI is at the core of the performance of the Countryman SE ALL4. While the numbers and details look good on paper, they don’t do full justice to the experience in the wild. It is the way in which the power is delivered that is so captivating and addictive. It’s at this point that the ingenious engineering of MINI takes a functional family SUV and turns it into a true performance car, providing an experience that will consistently put a smile on your face.With a healthy 313 hp and 494 Nm of torque, the Countryman SE ALL4 is no slouch in the performance department. The 0-62 mph run takes just 5.6 seconds, firmly anchoring it in hot-hatch territory. The acceleration is instantaneous, a silent and happy rush that throws you back in your chair and runs forever. This kind of instantaneous response is typical of a finely tuned electric powertrain and delivers an experience that will likely catch a few unsuspecting drivers off guard at traffic lights. It seems like it has a lot of power and is ready to fly at any time, yet its power delivery is so smooth and manageable that you can enjoy a thrilling ride or take it easy. But a MINI, and Countryman SE ALL4 in particular, has to deliver on its promise of brilliant handling. It feels keen and agile, impatient to plunge into corners. The secret to this dynamic talent is the heavy battery pack’s being positioned low in the floor of the vehicle. This engineering feature results in a very low centre of gravity, which greatly diminishes body roll and allows the vehicle to remain flat and stable through blind curves. The steering is crisp and informative, so you have a really good sense of what the front wheels are up to, and you start to feel like you and the car are one.The intelligent all-wheel-drive system adds to the fun by letting you get on the power sooner when exiting a turn. The system exhibits fantastic traction and stability, simply burrowing in and shooting the car forward with no drama. This functionality is enhanced by the different “Experience Modes,” which create a further level of engagement. Go-Kart Mode genuinely changes the car’s character: the throttle response gets snappier, the steering gets stiffer, and even the synthesised interior sound is modified to increase the speed sensation. It is an attribute which enables one to seamlessly switch between a comfortable daily driver and an exciting performance car.

• Experience thrilling acceleration with a 0-62 mph time of just 5.6 seconds
• Benefit from exceptional stability and minimal body roll thanks to a low centre of gravity
• Maintain superior traction and control with the intelligent all-wheel-drive system
• Enjoy a more responsive and dynamic drive by activating the engaging Go-Kart Mode
• Feel confident through corners with precise steering that offers excellent road feedback

A New Dimension of Space: Practicality in the MINI Countryman

This is perhaps where the new Countryman has made its most striking progress. MINI has clearly spent a lot of time turning this model into a real, no ifs and buts, family car. The bigger dimensions are not simply numbers on a page; you will feel the benefit of the extra space as soon as you enter the door. It has evolved into a car that meets the needs of everyday life without losing the distinctive character that defines the brand.The boot now has the very useful capacity of 460 litres. This is plenty of space for the weekly shopping, a couple of big cases for a weekend trip or all the bulky paraphernalia of young children. It gives a good account of itself against the key contenders in the premium compact SUV segment. For larger loads, the backseats fold flat to unlock cargo space comparable to a minivan’s (1,450 litres); surprisingly, that means you can haul your hardware store stash or haul banks of chairs without breaking a sweat. Thoughtful details, including a dedicated storage compartment beneath the floor for charging cables, keep the main trunk area neat and clutter-free. For families, the little things mean the most. Rear doors open wide, and the child seat can be securely fastened easily thanks to ISOFIX points that are so convenient to reach. Five years after the second plus one arrangement, this completely flat floor in the rear is a boon not just for the middle-seat passenger but for the whole family on the road.Stepping into the cabin, the interior is a stunner. Immediately, your gaze is drawn to the world-first 24cm circular OLED screen that acts as the technology and design focal point of the cabin. It’s really hard not to be, this display is a you know, with an incredibly high resolution, with vibrant colours, and you can really touch it. It manages everything, from navigation and media to climate control. Though consolidating all controls into a single screen may seem overwhelming on the face of it, the interface is quite straightforward. Importantly, MINI has kept a row of physical toggle switches underneath the screen for basic functions such as the ignition, volume, and driving modes, which helps keep a tactile, satisfying connection to the car.Besides the screen, the overall material quality has improved greatly, making the whole thing feel a lot more high-end. The cockpit features soft-touch materials, playful recycled textiles and surprising textures that contribute to making it a fun, contemporary and ultimately cosy place to be. The front seats are superbly comfortable for long journeys, and now, thanks to the extended wheelbase, four adults can travel in real comfort without breathing down one another’s necks. It’s a thoughtful place, where progressive tech is artfully combined with high-quality craftsmanship and daily practicality.

• Accommodate family life with a generous 460-litre boot and versatile seating.
• Simplify child seat installation with wide-opening rear doors and accessible ISOFIX points.
• Enhance passenger comfort with a completely flat rear floor for more legroom.
• Interact seamlessly with the stunning, world-first 24cm circular OLED display.
• Enjoy a premium feel with high-quality, soft-touch materials throughout the cabin.

Smart, Safe, and Connected: The MINI Countryman’s Technology

This new generation MINI Countryman has a lot of smart tech, and all of it is centred on a futuristic central OLED display. It’s all meant to feel intuitive and add to the ownership experience rather than confuse it. The emphasis is on simple connectivity, strong safety nets, and easy charging, so that each trip can be more convenient and safer while still being fun. These feature packages show a clear grasp of what today’s drivers expect: complex software wrapped in friendly interfaces.MINI Operating System 9 is at the core of the infotainment experience and is based on an Android Open Source Project software stack. This base makes the interface instantly recognisable, with a slickness and customizability similar to that of a high-end smartphone. You can also customise the display with widgets so you can quickly access the functions you use most, such as navigation or media. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, so connecting your phone is effortless as soon as you get in the car, and you can take your apps, music and contacts to the bright circular display without needing to plug in. Response to inputs is snappy, and the voice assistant does a decent job of handling natural language queries, enabling you to execute commands without having to take your hands off the wheel. Protection is first-rate, with a full suite of driver aids woven into the fabric of the vehicle as standard. Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and an enhanced lane keeping assist system are standard on every Countryman. These two features operate rather inconspicuously in the background and offer an extra level of security without being too distracting. The reversing camera is crystal clear, so you don’t get as stressed when parking up against the wall. For even more assistance, there are optional packages with additional advanced technologies you can choose from, including a head-up display that projects critical information onto your line of sight and a more advanced version of the adaptive cruise control, able to manage stop-and-go traffic, which can help you reduce your fatigue while driving in heavy traffic.For charging, the MINI Countryman SE ALL4 is a model of convenience and speed. It has a 66.5kWh battery and supports DC fast charging at up to 130kW. In practice, this means you can top up the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes at a compatible public charging station, just enough time to stop for coffee on a long trip. For home charging, the onboard 11kW AC charger enables a full charge in around 6.5 hours on a standard wallbox, so you can easily start each day with a fully charged battery. The car’s nav system can even precondition the battery en route to a fast charger, so you’ll be able to charge at the fastest rate as soon as you get there.

• Interact effortlessly with the intuitive, smartphone-like MINI Operating System 9.
• Connect your devices seamlessly with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Drive with greater confidence thanks to standard collision warning and lane-keeping assist systems.
• Replenish your battery quickly, achieving a 10-80% charge in under 30 minutes.
• Simplify overnight charging with a full battery achievable in about 6.5 hours at home.

Sensible Spending: UK Running Costs for the MINI Countryman

A rethought in wear and tear costs is part of the equation when buying an electric vehicle, and the MINI Countryman SE ALL4 makes for a strong economic argument. As a fully electric car, it provides remarkable savings on day-to-day expenses that add up rapidly. The most immediate advantage is accessed through home charging. By charging overnight and using off-peak electricity rates, the cost of “fueling” the 66.5kWh battery is only a small fraction of what it would cost to fill up a similar petrol or diesel SUV. This one simple shift in behaviour turns the daily commute and routine errands from a pricey financial burden into a modest, predictable expenditure, dramatically reducing the overall cost of ownership.For company car drivers in the UK, the financial benefits are even more substantial. The Countryman SE ALL4 is eligible for a very low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate, an important incentive to promote the uptake of zero-emission vehicles. This results in significant monthly savings on personal tax bills over the internal combustion engine equivalent, which makes it an incredibly wise choice for any professional. This fuel efficiency and tax savings make the Countryman such an appealing offer, which leads to the benefit of both the employee and the employer’s profit. In addition to fuel and tax, MINI offers rock-solid protection that lets you rest assured your investment is protected for the long haul. The car is backed by a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty that covers most of its parts. And, while that segues into a separate, more comprehensive eight-year/100,000-mile warranty protecting the high-voltage battery for added peace of mind against degradation, this is very important for an EV. Combined with attractive insurance groupings for the segment and the removal of the annual road tax (or Vehicle Excise Duty), the best part of the financial picture for the Countryman SE ALL4 is that sense of economical, contemporary and, well, foreseeable motoring.

• Reduce daily running expenses by charging at home on low-cost overnight tariffs.
• Benefit from significant personal tax savings due to its low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate.
• Drive with confidence thanks to a comprehensive three-year car and eight-year battery warranty.
• Eliminate annual road tax expenses with a zero-emission vehicle.
• Enjoy competitive insurance rates for its class.

Standing Out: The MINI Countryman vs. The Competition

The electric SUV segment is highly competitive, but the MINI Countryman SE ALL4 confidently manages to find its own space. It is up against stiff competition from competent rivals such as the no-frills Volvo EX30, the sporty Smart #1 Brabus, and the high-end Audi Q4 e-tron. All of these vehicles have their strong points, but the Countryman sets itself apart with a combination of engaging driving dynamics, cutting-edge technology and a level of personality that none of the others can quite match. It’s not just another electric appliance; it manages to provide a memorable and fun ownership experience.MINI’s edge is driver engagement when pitched against the Volvo EX30. Boasting minimalist Scandinavian design, the EX30 is also a cosy, tranquil driving experience. But the Countryman is more fun to drive, pure and simple. Its crisp steering and nimble handling deliver a road connection that is absent in the more comfort-focused Volvo. Inside, the EX30’s interior is minimalist and uncluttered, but the MINI feels far more unique and full of character, thanks in large part to the revolutionary circular OLED display, which is more intuitive and visually stunning than the tablet-like screen inside Volvos. The Smart #1 Brabus offers a different headturning experience, as its performance is not just high but even more mind-blowing than the MINI’s. It’s ridiculously fast in a straight line, but the Countryman SE ALL4 also provides a more refined and balanced driving experience. The MINI is more premium and substantial-feeling, with better build quality and a smoother ride. Its all-wheel-drive certainly seems more confident through turns, while the Smart can seem a bit shaky when it’s hurled about. The MINI also boasts a far better cabin in terms of quality of materials and design, feeling like a more expensive and better thought-out product.Against the Audi Q4 e-tron, the contest is personality versus practicality. The Audi also has a slightly firmer ride on some long motorway runs, and a bit more boot space, which underscores its position as the quintessential all-around family car. The MINI Countryman, however, offers a much more dynamic personality. It has more charming decor, and its infotainment system is a step ahead of Audi’s. And most importantly, the Countryman can provide a level of fun and engagement that the staid Q4 e-tron simply cannot. The MINI is a demonstration that a practical electric SUV doesn’t have to be dull; it can be fun, stylish, and have lots of character.

• Experience more engaging and fun-to-drive dynamics than key rivals.
• Interact with a more advanced and characterful infotainment system.
• Enjoy a superior sense of build quality and premium materials.
• Drive a vehicle that combines practicality with a distinct and vibrant personality.
• Feel greater confidence with a polished and well-rounded performance package.

Is the MINI Countryman the Ultimate Electric SUV for You?

After spending a great deal of time with the MINI Countryman SE ALL4, the verdict is that MINI has made a car that adds to its desirability without compromising its core appeal. They’ve pulled off the tricky feat of making the Countryman bigger, more practical, and truly family-friendly, while keeping the fundamental MINI DNA, that infectious fun factor that has always been at the heart of the brand. This vehicle is beautifully fast, surprisingly roomy, and brimming with practical, intuitive technology, all ensconced in a cabin that looks both new and exciting. It is a tribute to considered adaptation, showing that the practical and the quirky can mix together superbly.The Countryman SE ALL4 proves that you can, in fact, have a practical electric family SUV that also functions as a thrilling performance machine. The two themes don’t have to be at odds. Its lively performance and go-kart-like driving will please driving enthusiasts, but its practical load bay, roomy interior and cutting-edge safety equipment make it suitable for today’s families.” In addition to being a financially sound option thanks to the substantial savings on running costs and attractive company car tax rates, the addition of the base TE variant further enhances the attractiveness of the model. It’s a car that never wants to be put in a box, that catered as much to the sensible daily commuter as the weekend explorer. This is a car with a very strong universal appeal. It’s the ideal vehicle for families who want space but can’t imagine settling for something boring. It’s for drivers who want to get ready for an electric future without giving up the joy and involvement of driving. It is designed for those commuters who want to have a distinctive premium EV experience. If you’re shopping for an electric vehicle that does it all well and makes you grin every time you sit behind the wheel, the new MINI Countryman SE ALL4 should be at the very top of your shortlist. It really is an electric SUV that lets you have it all. And now we’d like to see for ourselves: Are you ready? Learn more and schedule your test drive today. Visit https://the.car/ and begin your electric journey.