Review: Mini Countryman Electric

What is it?

The Countryman arrived back in 2010 and was not so ‘Mini’. However, it sold very well and now with the brand’s electrified targets and commitments, Mini has created a battery-powered version of this popular family car.

The first Mini to be given the EV treatment was the Cooper, then the Aceman, which is solely being sold as an electric model and now we have the biggest and most practical car in its range – the Countryman - turning electric. But can it still perform and handle like a Mini? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?

From afar or even close up, the electric version of the Countryman doesn’t offset itself too much from the petrol-powered model. Look a bit closer, and you’ll find that ‘S’ models have yellow badging and there is no engine, meaning the front grille has been replaced with a smoothed-off black chequered pattern.

Personalisation has always been a priority with Mini and its customers. The Countryman still offers plenty of choice. All cars come with a black roof and there are an abundance of exterior colour choices.

What’s under the bonnet?

There are two power options in two different guises – the E and SE All4. The entry-level powertrain uses a single electric motor, while the top-of-the-line gets an additional motor and the added benefit of four-wheel-drive – both have the same 64.6kWh battery pack as standard.

If you want to go further on a single charge, the cheaper E will suit your needs as it gives a claimed 275 miles between trips. However, the SE can still give you a total range of around 251 miles.

We’re driving the SE that has more power and better overall performance. It can do 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds, which is three seconds quicker than the E’s 8.4 seconds. Both versions have their strengths and weaknesses, with the E offering a longer range and slower performance, but the four-wheel-drive SE giving slightly less range and a more entertaining driving experience.

When it comes to charging, a maximum charging rate of 130kW allows for a 10 to 80 per cent charge rate to be completed in half an hour – but a 7kW home wall box top-up will take around 10 hours.

What’s it like to drive?

Considering the EV version is heavier than the ICE car, it feels noticeably similar and that is a great trait. You get the instant power response and torque with an electric car, but it also holds itself when the roads get twisty. Around town, the car is quiet, refined and doesn’t feel like you’re driving an EV.

Although the Countryman won’t be setting the world alight when it comes to outright performance, it makes it a much easier car to drive and live with on a day-to-day basis. Although, just because it says Mini on the steering wheel and bonnet, doesn’t mean it can fit into tight spots like the original hatch, you still have to be mind-worthy that the Countryman is a fully-fledged SUV that is harder to drive around town than Minis of old.

How does it look?

Over its 14-year existence, the Countryman has got bigger, wider and heavier, but the style has remained relatively similar. As we mentioned, the EV version of this latest third-generation car doesn’t differentiate itself from the standard petrol model.

However, this is the biggest version to date measuring at 4429mm long and 1613mm high compared to the outgoing model of 4298mm long and 1557mm respective sizings. Other styling cues like the larger round front headlights and wider front grille all demonstrate that this new model is the trendsetter for future products to come from the brand.

Other details like the Union Jack style rear lights and door-mounted circular wing mirrors all give it that unique Mini identity.

What’s it like inside?

The latest Countryman goes by the same ethic as the standard Cooper hatch by which it means that there are fewer buttons cluttering up the dashboard. A lot of the main features and controls are found through the large circular OLED infotainment screen, but there are a few physical shortcut buttons like controls for volume to make it easier to navigate and operate quickly and efficiently on the move.

Step in the back and space is excellent with great headroom thanks to the boxy design, while the whole cabin feels spacious and airy, too. Also, a rare encounter is you don’t lose any boot space with the electric version, meaning you get a generous 460 litres of space and that extends to 1,450 litres with the rear seats folded down.


What’s the spec like?

The range starts with the entry-level Classic with the ‘E’ power guise. It comes in at £42,080 which is a substantial price hike compared to the conventionally powered models which start at £29,350.

Standard equipment levels are good across the whole range with all cars coming with front and rear LED lights, a 24cm OLED display, two-zone climate control, cruise control, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.


Verdict

While it may be a bit pricier than its liquid-powered counterpart, the electric version of the Countryman still is a great choice for those looking for a practical, quirky and fun car. It drives really well and the firm has done a good job of capturing that Mini magic to make it still feel eager and engaging to drive without compromising on comfort, agility and refinement.

Added to that, the benefit of the same generous boot space in the standard car, great interior design and vast personalisation options and you end up with an electric family car that looks great and is easier to live with than a lot of EVs that are currently on the market today.