MINI Countryman: Maximum Minimalism in a Supersized Body

Everyone knows the Mini was born in 1959, at a time when Britain faced a fuel crisis and people needed a car that was small, economical, yet practical. British engineer Sir Alec Issigonis was tasked with creating something smaller than a typical family car but still spacious enough for four people and their luggage. The result was a revolutionary design: front-wheel drive, a transverse engine under the hood, and wheels pushed out to the corners for maximum interior space. Thus the original Mini was born, unique both in form and function.

The Mini was more than a technical feat—it became a cultural icon in the 1960s, a symbol of British pop culture driven by everyone from The Beatles to London fashionistas. On the race track, it stunned larger rivals, especially at the Monte Carlo Rally, earning a reputation as a giant killer.

Ownership of the brand changed hands multiple times, belonging to British Leyland and the Rover Group before BMW acquired Rover in 1994. BMW ultimately spun Mini off as an independent brand, launching a new generation in 2001. This new Mini was bigger, safer, and more advanced, while still visually and spiritually linked to its ancestor.

Since then, Mini has evolved from a niche model to a full product family including hatchbacks, convertibles, coupes, roadsters, Clubman, and of course, the Countryman. Each new model has stretched the boundaries of what a Mini can be but has always tried to retain the original idea: personal driving enjoyment in a compact package.

Today, Mini stands as a global brand that fuses retro charm with modern technology and blends British design flair with German engineering. Although the name suggests something small, Mini’s impact on the automotive world is anything but minimal.

Once, Mini was more of a statement than a car—a rolling testament to cleverness, compactness, and British quirk. Now, the Countryman represents its largest and perhaps most controversial form yet. It’s still a Mini, but only in the sense that bottled water is still 'water' when it’s packaged in a champagne bottle, sparkling, and sold for ten euros a liter.

The Countryman plays a major role in Mini’s lineup. The third-generation model grows 13 cm over its predecessor, now stretching 4.44 meters—longer than the first Range Rover. Sir Alec Issigonis might just shrug in his grave, or perhaps reach for a small brandy.

Does this mean the Countryman has betrayed its roots? Not necessarily.

The Countryman story began in 2010 when BMW decided to stretch Mini into uncharted territory: the family car market. At the time, it was a risky move—there was no guarantee people wanted a big Mini. Yet it proved successful, especially in Europe where the second-generation Countryman accounted for a third of Mini’s sales in France. Now, the latest Countryman takes its place not just as a family car but as the flagship of the Mini range.

Today’s Countryman stands with two feet in Mini heritage while wearing a BMW cloak. It’s built in Leipzig, not Oxford. It’s available with both petrol and fully electric powertrains—the first time Mini offers a family-friendly crossover in a pure electric version. That’s a major step: the Countryman is no longer just a big Mini. It’s a Mini that aims to be something for everyone, which is no easy feat.

If you haven’t followed car news for fifteen years and someone whispers 'Mini' in your ear, you probably don’t expect 4.5 meters of car, 2 meters wide, and a towering nose that looks more like a ruler than a city dweller. Yet that’s exactly what the new third-generation Mini Countryman is: a Mini with presence, a Mini that wants a seat at the grown-ups' table, and does so with no apologies.

While the previous Countryman straddled the line between small SUVs, the new version firmly enters the C-segment compact SUV class. Yes, it’s the biggest Mini ever. With a length of 4444 mm, height of 1660 mm, and a width (with mirrors) of 2070 mm, the Countryman is larger than the Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen T-Roc, and even some older Honda CR-Vs. Comparing it to the original Mini would be like comparing an espresso to a bucket of latte.

Yet all this size is wrapped in a design that doesn’t shy from its roots. Up front, a big, boxy grille is more geometric than ever, yet still instantly recognizable as a Mini. The headlights have straighter corners than before, but their friendly expression remains.

From the side, nearly vertical wheel arches and a high beltline emphasize the car’s robustness. The body lines have been cleaned up for a modernist look—nothing feels unnecessary, but nothing is too clinical either. And of course, the roof comes in a contrasting color, because a Mini without one is like a burger without cheese: it works, but no one really wants it.

The C-pillar, visually slicing the roof at the rear, adds a clever design touch reminiscent of the Range Rover Evoque. It draws attention away from proportions that might otherwise seem stretched to some observers.

At the rear, Mini’s trademark vertical taillights are now even more distinctive, continuing the Union Jack theme in their lighting signature. The 'Countryman' name in bold letters across the tailgate and the lower-positioned license plate give the car a more Germanic stance. The whole effect is undeniably chic, with bold color options to match.

Mini has pulled off a tricky feat: inflating its most playful model to rival mainstream SUVs, yet still preserving its identity. This is not just a BMW with plastic cladding, nor is it the old Mini. It’s something in between—like a clown in a suit, telling jokes only to a select crowd.

Mini took a brave step, ditching its previous interior design and starting from scratch. The result feels like a pop-up installation from London Design Week, with seats and a dashboard thrown in—but it works surprisingly well.

The most eye-catching element is literally eye-catching: the world’s first fully round OLED display, about 9.5 inches in diameter, sits at the center of the dash. Think of it as a high-def dinner plate for your car controls. Built by Samsung, the screen is so sharp and vibrant it’s like someone left a Netflix menu open on the center console. Everything is here: speed, navigation, settings, animations, ambient lighting, and even a digital bulldog named Spike.

This round display is the car’s brain. Most physical buttons are gone, replaced by a slim row of switches below the screen for critical functions. Everything else is controlled by touch, voice, or gesture. Is it convenient? That depends on whether you like exploring iPhone menus or prefer the simplicity of a CD player—at first, the menu system feels labyrinthine, but once you get used to it, it works, and does so with witty flair. For example, press the gas pedal and a little rocket appears on the screen. Go-kart mode? Of course, complete with animations, color changes, and sound effects that feel straight from a PlayStation UI.

All this digital wizardry could feel sterile if not for the bold contrast of materials and lighting. Mini covers the dash and door panels in knitted fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, illuminated by ambient light that changes with drive mode: green for Sport, purple for Zen, red for a more aggressive mood. The interior lives, reacts, and dances with you, looking especially cool after dark.

The seats are comfortable but not overly soft, with a sporty edge typical of Mini. The go-kart seating position is gone—you now sit higher, almost on a perch—but visibility is excellent. Rear seat space is better than ever, thanks to the stretched wheelbase, with plenty of leg and headroom for taller passengers. Only the middle seat is narrow, and the central tunnel makes three-abreast best suited to kids or flexible relatives.

Boot space is about 450 liters—not groundbreaking, but enough for a shopping spree. The rear seats split 40:20:40, recline, and slide, with a 'Cargo' function that lets you lock them upright for bulky items. Storage abounds: wireless phone charging, hidden compartments, designer trash bins, and USB-C ports for every passenger.

Is everything perfect? No. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay look awkwardly crammed into the round display, some lower plastic bits undermine the premium feel, and the screen’s brightness can mimic a rave club at night. But that’s Mini—it’s supposed to be different.

Under the hood, almost as much has changed as inside. The manual transmission is retired, diesel is gone, and every engine now has at least mild hybridization. Some are more electrified than others, with one version dropping the combustion engine altogether. Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up.

Countryman C: The trusty three-cylinder for daily driving. The base Countryman C uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine combined with a 48V mild hybrid, making city driving smoother and more efficient. With 168 horsepower and 280 Nm, it handles daily life with dignity, especially as a front-driver that weighs less than its all-wheel-drive siblings. Zero to 100 km/h in under 9 seconds makes it lively enough for family duty, and the engine’s character is charmingly gruff yet refined. This is the eco-friendly Mini as it should be.

Countryman S All4: For those who want some spice but not full firepower, the S model uses a 2.0-liter turbo four with 215 horsepower and 360 Nm. All-wheel drive is standard, and the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic shifts smoothly. It’s the sweet spot—quick enough to enjoy, not so wild as to burn rubber every stoplight. Paddle shifters and adjustable suspension add to the fun.

John Cooper Works All4: If Mini wants to chase Porsches, this is it. 296 horsepower, 0-100 km/h in about 5.5 seconds, and a 250 km/h top speed, all on an all-wheel-drive platform with lowered sport suspension and adaptive dampers.

Countryman Electric and SE All4: Where Mini goes silent but stays alive. The single-motor Electric is front-wheel drive, the dual-motor SE All4 is all-wheel drive, with 201 and 309 horsepower respectively. The SE is even quicker than the JCW on paper, hitting 0-100 km/h in about 5.5 seconds, and does so in silence.

A 66.5 kWh battery (about 64 kWh usable) promises up to 460 km of range under ideal conditions. Not class-leading, but competitive. 130 kW DC fast charging means 10-80 percent in about half an hour. The SE All4 delivers strong, linear acceleration, though the battery adds around 450 kg. Electric versions even get their own custom soundscape.

Behind the wheel, the Countryman feels surprisingly direct despite its increased size, higher stance, and wider track. The high seating gives a commanding view: you see the hood, the curb, and even who’s picking their nose at the light. Low windows and big mirrors make maneuvering easy. The turning circle of roughly 11.5 meters isn’t the tightest, but U-turns are doable in most scenarios.

The steering is light but not numb. In sportier trims, you get some added suspension stiffness. The Countryman floats over small bumps but with 19-inch wheels and rough roads, you’ll feel everything—if not in the seat, then in your back.

The large body and long wheelbase give the Countryman real highway confidence. It’s stable at speed, doesn’t wander, and needs little steering correction. At 110 km/h, the cabin stays quiet enough for conversation, with wind and tire noise well suppressed.

Options include adaptive cruise control with lane keeping. It’s not fully autonomous, but the system is advanced enough to keep you centered without much input—something unimaginable in the 1990s.

On twisty backroads, physics can’t be defied, but the Mini tries its best. It turns eagerly, holds a good line, and grip is top-tier for its class. You don’t get full feedback, but overall, the Countryman is sportier than most rivals.

But let’s not romanticize too much. This is not a sports car, but a family vehicle with more verve than most in its segment.

The 7-speed dual-clutch auto is mostly slick, with occasional hesitation—something you’ll get used to, as with many things Mini.

The 2025 Countryman is by far the most advanced Mini yet in terms of safety and driver assistance. It’s the first to offer Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, with more sensors and radars than a small regional airport.

It reads speed signs, adapts speed to limits, monitors navigation maps, and politely brakes if you get too enthusiastic. All versions come standard with automatic emergency braking and collision warning, detecting vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. The car will intervene if you nod off or if a car approaches at an intersection. Blind-spot warning is included, as is rear cross-traffic alert.

The Countryman can park itself at the press of a button, whether parallel or perpendicular, with precision. There’s also a reversing assistant that records your last 50 meters and can retrace it backward automatically—perfect for tricky driveways. The optional 360-degree camera gives you a bird’s-eye view, just like Google Maps for your car.

The body is based on the BMW X1, with a strong structure, airbags everywhere, and even pedestrian protection: the hood pops up on impact to soften the blow, a feature once reserved for top luxury cars.

If you’re in an accident, the built-in Drive Recorder captures the scene from all angles—a dashcam system for evidence.

As usual, most of these advanced features are optional or part of higher trims. Adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and Matrix LEDs are not standard.

The new Mini Countryman is simultaneously the brand’s most ambitious and controversial model: roomy, safe, packed with tech, and ready to deliver everything today’s buyer wants, all while keeping that unmistakable Mini quirkiness.

Pros:
✔ Extremely spacious and flexible, great for everyday family use
✔ Distinctive, high-quality interior—OLED screen, ambient lighting, and recycled materials create a unique atmosphere
✔ Wide choice of engines
✔ Strong driving dynamics: precise steering, stable handling
✔ Advanced safety and driver aids
✔ Personality and fun factor that rivals often lack

Cons:
✘ Infotainment can be overwhelming, with everything hidden in menus
✘ Firm suspension
✘ Price rises quickly beyond the base model
✘ Not really 'mini' anymore—classic Mini fans may feel betrayed

The Countryman doesn’t try to be everything to everyone, but it’s a car that gets people talking, shrugging, and wondering. Some say it’s no longer a Mini—but maybe this is exactly what a modern Mini is meant to be: big, bold, and full of character.