Mini created an instant hit by introducing the Countryman back in 2010. The small crossover/SUV mix quickly captured the hearts of Mini purists, but also attracted crowrds of new customers. For two generations it generated the majority of Mini sales and naturally the third one comes even bigger and with more engine options. For the first time the Mini Countryman can be ordered as a full EV and it even comes in two different electric trims.
The one we’re testing today is the Mini Countryman SE ALL4, which is the spicy AWD version with 313 hp and a 66.5 kWh battery pack. It sits on the same platform as the new BMW X1 and X2, which means that the Countryman grows in size, compared to its predecessors. This is why soon we’ll have the Mini Aceman, which should fill in the gap for the smaller SUVs.
Our detailed review of the Mini Countryman SE ALL4 will be out soon, revealing everything you need to know about the compact model, but before that here are the findings from our range test. We drove our usual test routes, doing the same track both ways at constant speeds at the same place as with every other car we test. The ambient temperature while testing the Mini Countryman SE ALL4 was 59°F, which are near perfect conditions for such testing.
At our lowest testing speed of 37 mph the Countryman shows fantastic efficiency, delivering impressive range on a single charge. However, compared to the sibling BMW iX2 xDrive30 we tested before, the Mini fared worse. This is surprising, given that the Mini is smaller in size and is primarily aimed towards city use. Part of the reason was of course that the iX2 was tested at absolutely perfect conditions with lower rolling resistance tires.
Once we move on to the next speed of 56 mph the Countryman SE ALL4 drops further behind the iX2 and other direct competitors. Based on our testing, driving at 56 mph with cruise control won’t even give you the promised WLTP numbers, which is disappointing for the Brit.
At the highest testing speed of 81 mph the Mini lowers the gap to its rivals and actually proves a better choice if you plan on doing more highway drives.
All things considered the Mini Countryman SE ALL4 does alright for a small electric SUV with so much power. It is not the most efficient in its class, but it offers plenty of tech inside to offset that. Brand loyalty is strong with Mini buyers and we have no doubts the Countryman will be a hit in all of its iterations, but being a little more efficient wouldn’t have hurt its prospects.
A bigger battery might have also helped persuade those that consider the Countryman, but also drive a lot of highway miles. As it looks now it's better suited to the city enviroment or for those that don't mind an extra stop or two on their journeys.
We now suggest you use the widget below to find out the Mini Countryman SE ALL4’s range in every combination of speed and temperature you might need. We've used our real world tests and a complex model to provide an estimate that should be as close to the actual performance as possible.
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