Mini Countryman Electric Review 2024
The Mini Countryman Electric is an electric family SUV that's perfect for families looking for a practical and luxurious SUV without having to break the bank. Fusing retro design with state of the art technology, it's sure to keep all the family happy.
Rivals to the Countryman Electric include the Skoda Enyaq, Hyundai Kona Electric, Volvo EX40, and Audi Q4 e-tron.
Our Mini Countryman Electric review covers:
- Boxy exterior design with bold front end
- Minimalist interior complemented by the circular infotainment system
- 460-litre boot
- 66.5kWh battery paired with a single or dual electric motor
- Three trim levels
Pros:
- Loads of technology
- Comfortable interior
- Decent boot space
Cons:
- Interior build quality not the best
- Maximum range below 300 miles
- Minimalist interior might be a bit too simple
The Mini Countryman Electric is now in its third generation and is available as a pure-electric for the first time. It's retained most of its classic design principles, such as round headlights, muscular body, and Union Jack tail lights.
The Countryman Electric is the largest Mini ever made, and while its interior isn't too generous, there's plenty of room for a small family. Those sitting in the front won't have any complaints; however, the rear is more suited to two passengers than its official capacity of three.
Boot space comes in at 460 litres for the Countryman Electric, which is on par for a family SUV. What I really like is that the rear seats split in a 40/20/40 configuration, which is much more practical than the 60/40 split in the Volvo EX40 and Skoda Enyaq. With the rear seats down, you'll get up to 1,450 litres of boot space.
When you climb inside the Countryman Electric, you'll realise why it stands out from the crowd. It's perhaps one of the most minimalist interiors on the market, featuring a clean and simple dashboard that's absent of anything chunky. I quite like it, but it does take a bit of getting used to.
The first thing you'll notice is the 240mm circular digital display on the dashboard that looks like something out of Star Trek. It houses both the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster and features a range of features such as Mini Experience Mode, a built-in personal assistant, and intelligent Mini navigation.
Classic comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, LED headlights, and rear parking sensors.
Exclusive has 18-inch alloy wheels, sports seats in perforated Vescin, and offroad-style skid plates.
Sport has 19-inch black alloy wheels, sports seats upholstered in knitted fabric, a black and red JCW colour scheme, and a black perforated Vescin JCW sports steering wheel with silver accents and red stitching.
There are two electric powertrains available for the Countryman Electric. E and SE ALL4.
E is the entry-level option and combines a 64,6kWh battery with a 150kW electric motor to return up to 286 miles of range (range varies slightly depending on the trim).
The other option is the SE ALL4, which uses the same battery but adds another electric motor to increase power output to 230kW. As the other motor is used to power all four wheels, the range slightly decreases to up to 266 miles.
The Countryman Electric is a comfortable car to drive, but it doesn't really give off Mini vibes. Whereby other Mini's provide a go-kart feel, it's clear that the Countryman Electric is more suited to suburb driving.
This is no bad thing because, at the end of the day, it's a family SUV. At lower speeds, it accelerates quickly and smoothly and has accurate handling. It copes okay with potholes and bumps in the road but won't be as comfortable as the Mercedes-Benz EQB.
As you increase the speed, the Countryman Electric has more than enough power for motorway cruising. You'll shoot from 0 to 62mph in just under nine seconds in the standard version, and there's also little noise from the powertrain when accelerating.
On a country lane, it's probably one of the best family SUVs to drive. While it's by no means fun to drive, it does pack a little punch, which can't be said for most of its rivals.
Prices for the new Mini Countryman Electric start from £41,500.00 OTR* or to lease from £441.31 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Mini Countryman Electric? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
