2026 Mini Countryman SE ALL4 Review: Electric SUV with the Soul of an Old Mini
The Countryman appeared 16 years ago amid sceptical looks from the public. It was the brand’s first five-door crossover, and for a certain category of purists, it became proof that Mini was losing touch with reality. Many predicted a failure that would drag down the company’s reputation. But that didn’t happen. Three generations later, the Countryman is still on the market, now available with both an internal combustion engine and a fully electric version.
I have long wondered what the Countryman is like to drive and live with daily, so when I was offered to test the flagship fully electric SE ALL4, I immediately agreed. In a world where most new crossovers and SUVs are becoming increasingly similar, the Countryman offers something different.
The fun is still here, and the quality that made old Minis worth driving, even when they made no rational sense. Few offerings on the market can convey this like a Mini. But that does not mean the Countryman gets a free pass, as it requires you to accept a few compromises in return.
Quick Facts
Prices and Trims in Australia
Four different versions of the Countryman are available in Australia. The base model is called Countryman C, equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with a starting price of AU$56,700 ($39,700). Those looking for emission-free driving can order the Countryman in a single-motor E configuration, starting at AU$75,526 ($52,900). The next most expensive model is the JCW Countryman ALL4 with a 2.0-litre turbo engine, priced from AU$78,652 ($55,100).
We did not test any of these models but spent time behind the wheel of the flagship Countryman SE ALL4, a dual-motor electric model. Its price starts at AU$80,737 ($56,600) and comes to AU$83,862 ($60,600) in the Favored trim, as in our test car. While it doesn’t quite match the John Cooper Works badge, the SE ALL4 still offers plenty of performance.
The model is equipped with a 64.6 kWh battery pack and a pair of electric motors that together produce 230 kW (308 hp) and 494 Nm (365 lb-ft) of torque. Mini claims this is enough to accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds, and the claimed range is 432 km (268 miles).
Fun-Filled Interior
Regardless of how much money you have or which market segment you are looking for a new car in, you will struggle to find a car with an interior that stands out. The Countryman and other current Mini models are different.
While most other automakers have completely ignored their interior design history, Mini has not. Instead, it has managed to create a cabin that not only looks premium but, more importantly, has a sense of theatre and fun that few can boast of.
The star of the show is the round OLED infotainment display in the centre of the dashboard, like in old Mini models – albeit now fully digital. The screen has excellent sharpness and great colour reproduction, but more importantly, it has interactive software that is simply enjoyable to use.
Switch between different driving modes, or ‘Experience Modes’ as Mini calls them, and the display colours will change, and unique graphics will play out. All climate control settings are on the screen, but they are easy to use while driving, including shortcut buttons for temperature, seat heating and steering wheel heating. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available, although they only occupy a large window in the centre of the screen.
The playful interior elements continue on the dashboard, which is adorned with an interesting blue fabric and vertical ventilation outlets. Perhaps my favourite feature is the tactile switches below the screen, including the one that turns the car on or off, which mimic the look and feel of turning a key and serve as a modern interpretation of the switches used in the previous generation Mini.
Other interesting interior aspects include a tensioned piece of fabric that serves as the bottom spoke of the steering wheel, vertical door handles, and an interesting compartment behind the cupholders. The multi-coloured blue-orange fabric on the door cards added playfulness to the cabin.
As mentioned, our test car was in the Favoured trim, which included a panoramic glass roof, an interior camera, a massage function for the driver’s seat, and a 12-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system. A particularly interesting feature is the ambient lighting. Unlike most other cars that use simple LED strips, the Countryman uses tiny projectors in the door panels and behind the central screen to display various patterns, further enhancing the feeling of being special.
Overall comfort in the Countryman SE ALL4 is good; the seats offer adequate support, although they are quite firm. However, considering the Countryman is classified as a small SUV, it’s no surprise that headroom and legroom in the second row are limited for people over 6 feet tall. For shorter people, it is fine. Cargo space at the rear is 460 litres (16.2 cubic feet).
Looks Reserved, But Has Power
While the Countryman SE ALL4 may not have the JCW badge, it is faster than some other Mini John Cooper Works models. The power, combined with surprising stability, makes this SUV very pleasant to drive, even though it is fully electric.
Mini claims the model can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds. Using our Dragy GPS timer, we not only easily achieved this time but also reached 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds on several runs. What is particularly impressive is that the Countryman accelerates so smoothly that it doesn’t necessarily feel as fast as it is, so passengers shouldn’t worry about motion sickness when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal.
Passing acceleration is also powerful. The 60 to 120 km/h (37-75 mph) sprint took 4.79 seconds during our testing, which is only a few tenths of a second slower than some smaller and lighter hatchbacks. For overtaking, the electric Countryman offers more than enough power.
As expected from an EV, the Countryman SE ALL4 is equipped with an adjustable regenerative braking system. Unfortunately, the settings are buried deep in the infotainment menu, and after I changed them once, I quickly forgot how to adjust them. On the other hand, drivers can simply switch to B mode using the gear selector, activating a one-pedal driving mode.
I spent most of the week in one-pedal mode and achieved an average consumption of 17.2 kWh/100 km. This is respectable, given that the Countryman is not the most aerodynamic SUV on the market and considering the power available. However, because the battery pack is smaller than most competitors’, owners will struggle to get 400 km (248 miles) from a charge in real-world conditions. This is fine if you can charge at home, but if not, you’ll need to make at least weekly trips to the nearest charging station.
Charging speed is also below average. The Countryman SE ALL4 supports a maximum DC fast charging speed of only 130 kW, meaning it takes 29 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80%.
On rough roads, the Countryman bounces a bit and is slightly stiffer than we would like, but this is not uncommon for electric SUVs. On the other hand, the suspension setup combined with Pirelli P Zero tyres gives the Mini immense grip, and it is genuinely fun to drive on a mountain road.
The experience can be enhanced in ‘Go-Kart Mode’, which is the sportiest of the available driving modes. Additionally, it sharpens throttle response, adds weight to the steering, triggers a spaceship-inspired soundtrack that fills the cabin, and displays real-time power and torque metrics.
The Countryman’s overall light-hearted character helps it stand out from its competitors, even though, objectively, it lags behind some rivals in terms of technology. As for safety, it has all the features you expect, including autonomous emergency braking and active cruise control with lane keeping. It also has an automatic parking function that works surprisingly well, especially for parallel parking.
Verdict
There is no doubt that the Mini Countryman SE ALL4 is fun. However, the limited range and slow charging speed are major hurdles that potential buyers must consider before placing an order. Like Mini models of the past, the electric Countryman remains a niche product and is not the SUV you buy if you are simply looking for practicality.
For me, the Countryman’s interior is the highlight and should certainly help it attract a younger audience, perfectly blending modern technology and convenience with the classic tactility that, unfortunately, most other new cars lack. If you buy a Countryman, you do it with your heart, not your head.
This car is a vivid example of how a brand tries to preserve its identity in the era of electrification. It does not try to be universal, but instead offers a unique experience that may appeal to those who value character more than dry technical specifications. While in terms of pure practicality and infrastructure it may lose to some competitors, its ability to evoke emotion and a smile makes it a special choice in an increasingly homogenised market.