It’s not the electric SUV’s fault that the week it was in my driveway was the coldest of the year, but it suffered for it, nonetheless. The vehicle in question is the 2025 Mini Countryman SE ALL4, the brawny, all-electric compact crossover, that takes its place alongside its gasoline-powered counterpart as the largest Mini ever made.

This is a likeable machine, with great looks and excellent driving capabilities, but with its quirky Mini DNA and issues with cold-weather range, it has a specific use case. It seems that the manufacturer is aware of its niche. Stefanie Wurst, head of Mini, noted its “versatility and powerful electric drive make it the perfect companion in the city as well as for adventures beyond.”
That’s spot on. With a stated maximum range of 341 kilometres, the Countryman SE is well suited for urban family life. But when you cross those city limits, the adventures will begin. They may not be the ones you were looking for, however. Let me explain…

Powertrain: Cold weather and the woeful lack of EV infrastructure here in Southern Ontario made for a challenging week for the Mini at my rural home base. At a punishing minus 15 Celsius, the Countryman SE achieved ranges of between 200 and 250 kilometres, and that was without using the steering wheel heater, seat heaters or defrost, and driving at no more than 107 km/h. On top of the cold, the one DC fast charger I had planned on using in the closest town 10 kilometres away was out of order, leaving me with only a 120-volt home power supply to charge the Countryman.
That meant long waits between drives, as the supplied charger plugged into the house delivered the precious electrons at just one kW. This says nothing about the Mini itself and simply underlines the necessity of installing at Level 2 charger at home if you plan on owning an EV.

The CUV is powered by twin 140-kilowatt electric motors with all-wheel drive. It makes
313 horsepower and 364 pound-feet of torque. The battery capacity of 66.5 kWh is said to provide a range 341 km in ideal conditions.
Drive: If you’re not worrying about range, the Countryman is a blast to drive. It’s quick off the mark and still has that Mini go-kart handling, even in the larger package.
This tester was equipped with the Professional Driving Assistant, as part of the Premier+ package which added $7,000 to the base price. Its semi-autonomous features that guide you through lane changes, exits and more are great when the weather’s clear, but suffered with obscured sensors in the snow and slush.

Interior: The most striking feature of the Countryman’s interior is the centre console with its giant 9.4-inch circular screen — but more on that later. The cloth dash and door cards with colour gradient fabric give it a minimalist and modern feeling. The standard panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with natural light if desired.
Seating is comfortable, with plenty of room both front and rear for shoulders and longer legs using the adjustable rear seats that can slide by 13 centimetres as well as recline up to 12 degrees. Cargo space behind the second row is generous, and with the seats folded down there’s 1,450 litres of space to use.

Exterior: At a distance, the Countryman is clearly a Mini, with the iconic shape and Union Jack taillight motif. But up close it induces cognitive dissonance when you realize that it is significantly larger than its predecessors. This Countryman is taller, wider, has longer wheelbase, and more interior space than the previous generation.
The EV and gas versions are nearly indistinguishable. The electric SE bears only an “S” badge in yellow on the grille, while the gas version’s S is red. Our tester came in Slate Blue with a silver roof and 19-inch two-tone Kaleido wheels. The rounded wheel arches and sloping roofline, along with black accents make for a sleek and attractive wagon-like SUV.
Infotainment: This is where the quirky Mini DNA gets in the way of functionality. The dinnerplate-sized digital display placed in the middle of the dash is one of those polarizing features of Mini vehicles. It’s not to my taste. It’s both unpleasant and distracting, forcing the driver to glance away from the road for information and to perform tasks.
But love it or hate it, the new Mini Operating System 9 does provide custom user interfaces through the Experience toggles, as well as responding to voice commands. The display has been updated to include information all the way round the circle, but it seems cluttered, and some functions require too many touches.

Overall, the Countryman SE performed well in the snow and cold, in spite of the range limitations induced by the weather. It was fun to drive, spacious and easy on the eyes. As with any EV, it’s up to the buyer to ensure they have the patience, a level 2 charger at home, and the right use case – knowing your driving habits – to make it work.
2025 Mini Countryman SE
Price as tested: $70,090.00
Freight: $2,586.00
Configuration: Front and rear-axle 140-kilowatt electric motors, all-wheel drive
Power: 313 hp and a torque of 364 lb-ft
Battery capacity: 66.5 kWh, stated range 341 km
E-economy ratings: Fuel economy ratings (Le/100 km): 2.5 city; 2.7 highway; 2.6 combined (on 18-inch tires)
Warranties: 4 years/80,000 km
Competitors: Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volvo XC 40 Recharge
Website: Mini Canada