Automotive

Review: 2025 Mini Countryman EV rides on nostalgia with limited range

Review: 2025 Mini Countryman EV rides on nostalgia with limited range
The 2025 Mini Countryman EV is the largest of the BMW-owned British brand's vehicles
The 2025 Mini Countryman EV is the largest of the BMW-owned British brand's vehicles
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The 2025 Mini Countryman EV is the largest of the BMW-owned British brand's vehicles
1/5
The 2025 Mini Countryman EV is the largest of the BMW-owned British brand's vehicles
The 2025 Mini Countryman EV rivals most small and compact SUVs in exterior footprint, but not in interior roominess
2/5
The 2025 Mini Countryman EV rivals most small and compact SUVs in exterior footprint, but not in interior roominess
The interior of the 2025 Mini Countryman EV is nicely appointed, but not very ergonomic
3/5
The interior of the 2025 Mini Countryman EV is nicely appointed, but not very ergonomic
Controls in the 2025 Mini Countryman EV are hit-and-miss for functionality and distraction
4/5
Controls in the 2025 Mini Countryman EV are hit-and-miss for functionality and distraction
The "aircraft switches" that were hallmarks of the Mini brand are afterthoughts in the 2025 Mini Countryman EV
5/5
The "aircraft switches" that were hallmarks of the Mini brand are afterthoughts in the 2025 Mini Countryman EV
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The Mini lineup is no longer mini and the move to fully electric models isn’t as dynamic as one might hope. The Countryman, the largest of BMW’s British brand, rivals most compact SUVs for size. Our time behind the wheel wasn't big on fun, practicality, or that classic Mini spirit.

At a Glance

  • Nostalgia without much practicality
  • Fast, but not as quick as you might hope
  • Range isn’t impressive
  • Mini isn't the Mini we used to know

The 2025 Countryman EV is unmistakably a Mini. But the Mini feel is becoming gimmicky rather than fun. The circular center infotainment/gadget screen is neat, but not terribly functional. And it takes the place of a lot of things that really should have dedicated controls, like climate and audio. The aircrafty switches are still there, underneath that screen, but are now more aircraft-like than aircraft-style, a sort of mood swing from the previous generations. And the only one you’ll use very often is the on/off switch. The rest are kind of pointless.

Other things like the fun “Go-Kart” and the optimistic “Trail” drive modes are funny, but mostly just change lighting and graphics without much of anything practical. The giant OLED screen is customizable (kind of), but often glitches or takes too long to change or update. And sometimes it just doesn’t function at all, going back to the home screen when something goes awry. Translating BMW’s infotainment system to both Mini branding and the round screen didn’t go well.

Not to mention that many of the apps and capabilities are behind a subscription paywall – don’t get me started on that nonsense.

Controls in the 2025 Mini Countryman EV are hit-and-miss for functionality and distraction
Controls in the 2025 Mini Countryman EV are hit-and-miss for functionality and distraction

Two electric motors power the Countryman EV, one for each axle, delivering 308 horsepower (226.5 kW). Mini says the 0-60-mph (97 km/h) sprint time is 5.6 seconds, but the car feels a lot more sluggish than that and I was unable to get below seven seconds on public roads. The Countryman is heavy. This not-so-tiny car weighs in at 4,400 lb (1,996 kg), which is more than a 1990s pickup truck. And despite a near-perfect weight distribution (thanks to batteries under the floor), the Countryman drives like it weighs two tons.

Range for the Countryman EV is also not the greatest. It’s rated at 212 miles or 204 miles (341 or 328 km) per charge, depending on wheel size. Yes, that’s right. If you get the 18-inch wheels, you get that extra eight miles (13 km), but if you opt for the 19s, you lose it. It doesn’t matter, though. My week of driving didn’t even come close to 200 miles per charge. I was in the 180-mile (290-km) range without much highway time. Those returns are equivalent to the much-maligned Toyota bZ4X. On the upside, the Mini does do well at DC fast-charging stations – if you can find one. It can get to about 80% from less than 10 in roughly 30 minutes.

Just about everything with the Mini Countryman is banking on nostalgia and social cred. Spike the Bulldog is your voice assistant, just about everything fabric in the car is from something recycled, and the Mini relies heavily on ambient lighting for mood-setting. But those things don’t add up to make the Countryman’s problems become tolerable quirks. Bluetooth often fails, maps don’t always show your actual position, the controls require precise touches (thus becoming distractions), and every imperfection in the road will come into the cabin.

As the generation that knows Austin Powers references fades out of the market for a car like the Mini, I suspect the nostalgia train powering its sales will fade as well. The brand has gone so far away from its roots that its future seems troubled.

The 2025 Mini Countryman EV has a starting price of US$45,200 plus destination charges.

Product Page: 2025 Mini Countryman EV

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2 comments
2 comments
Username
Some companies put no effort in their EVs and produce sub par products then use that as an excuse to continu down the same path saying EVs don't sell well.
vince
BMW killed the Mini brand. I owned 4 Minis from 2007 to 2020 but I will never consider one again. BMW doesnt want its EVs to trash its sporty complex of the John Cooper Works images as Minis which are fast go cart like small cars. But Minis were always sluggish to begin with never besting 0 to 60 in 6 seconds. And yet almost every Tesla does under 6 with one doing under 2. Even Kia does it under 3.0. Even 8 seat EV Suvs by Kia, Hyundai, Vinfast, Vokvo and more do better than 6 ssconds. BMW is trying to hang on to its image rather than riding into the future. And so they killed the Mini.