Best Electric Mini For Families
Up until now, if you wanted to go fully-electric in a Mini, your only choice has been a small three-door hatchback – great as an urban runabout but a little too small, and with too little range, to work as a family car. Larger Minis, such as the Clubman and Countryman, offered fuel-efficient gasoline engines, and in the case of the Countryman, even a plug-in hybrid version – but there was no zero-emissions option until now. All that changes with the introduction of the 2025 Mini Countryman SE – the E standing for electric. It’s arriving this fall in dealerships across the country.
Mini Countryman SE Design
Sitting alongside the updated gasoline-powered Countryman, which was recently refreshed, the Countryman SE wears Mini’s latest design language, which is much cleaner and less fussy than prior generation. Its fenders have a bit of boxiness to them, suggesting off-road toughness, and chrome trim has been eliminated – significantly reducing the number of toxic materials used in production as well as giving a more modern look. Satin-finish light bronze trim is used instead, and contrasted with the many distinctive paint colors, gives the new Countryman SE an up-to-date feel while remaining recognizably Mini.
Inside, the use of more sustainable materials continues. The dashboard is covered in woven fabric, and leather has been replaced with a choice of knit surfaces or a new synthetic leather-like material. Clever backlighting on the dash and in different parts of the interior provides an upscale and upbeat ambiance, and most major driving controls are clustered in a simple pod hanging from the bottom of the dash. It features the start/stop button, gear selector, drive mode selector, and other critical controls.
All other functions are contained in a giant circular OLED touchscreen, the gateway to all of Mini’s new digital features. A new graphic layout lets owners add and reconfigure widgets easily, and the system is built on Android Open Source technology to make it easy to upgrade over time. Switching drive modes – or, as Mini calls them, “experience modes” not only changes the way the car responds to your hands and feet, but also adjusts the interior lighting and the layout and design of everything you see on the screen. Choose from sporty, efficient, or a custom mode which lets you tweak everything to your heart’s content.
What Is the Range of the Electric Mini Countryman?
With standard all-wheel drive and dual electric motors, the Mini Countryman SE generates an impressive 308 hp and 364 lb-ft of torque, which help it accelerate to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds. Unfortunately, that performance, and a 66.5-kWh battery pack, mean that the EPA-estimated range is 212 miles, or 341 km, on a single charge. While that’s a lot further than the previous Cooper SE would go on a charge, it’s not spectacular for a car many families will use to take road trips in – and it’s also a lot less than the commonplace Tesla Model Y, and the surprisingly long-range Chevrolet Equinox EV, which costs a lot less.
Still, for everyday duties, 212 miles is more than enough if you are set up to charge at home, and the advantage is that the relatively small battery is relatively light, meaning the Countryman SE should feel sprightly and responsive to drive. On a road trip, at a high-speed charger, the 130-kW charging speed is far from class-leading, but the battery’s size means you will be able to go from 10 to 80 percent charge in about 30 minutes.
Mini Countryman SE Price, Competitors, and Value
With a starting MSRP of $45,200, before a destination fee of $995, the Mini Countryman SE is definitely a premium product – and only a little bit less than the dominant Tesla Model Y Long Range, which will go almost 100 miles further on a charge, charges faster, and has more interior room, if a bit less style. A better comparison might be the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which has a starting MSRP of $50,745 when equipped with all-wheel drive in SE trim. The Hyundai goes about 50 miles longer on a full charge, and has more space than the Mini, but the Mini’s design is more interesting inside and out, and it has a more premium feel.
The Mini will also offer a higher level of customization than any other EV in its class. In addition to a wide range of interior and exterior colors and trim choices, options include:
· A “classic style” package with 18-inch wheels, white roof and mirrors, sport seats, black and blue cloth trim
· A “favoured style” package with 18-inch wheels, a choice of white, silver, or black roof, more aggressive sport seats, and choice of beige, dark petrol, or vintage brown trim
· A comfort package with keyless entry and go, auto-dimming mirrors, and wireless smartphone charging
· A “comfort package max” that adds active driving assistant, parking assistant, and navigation
· A “signature plus” package that adds blind spot detection, lane change warning, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision prevention, active cruise control, steering and lane control, and more driver assists
· 19-inch two-tone wheels
· Trailer hitch
· Privacy glass
· Power front seats
· Interior camera system
· Harman/Kardon surround sound audio system
Electric Mini Countryman: Conclusion
Originally unveiled at Climate Week NYC, the Mini Countryman SE All4, to give it its full name, arrives in dealerships in September 2024. Like other Minis, it’s fun to look at, has a cheeky attitude, and should be a lot of fun to drive. Like other Minis, it’s also a well-built, high-spec premium product with a premium price tag and a lot of customization ability. This one just happens to come with enough room for the whole family, too.
