The 2025 Mini Countryman is rejuvenated with new style, and still crisp and eager to drive

By Eric Brandt

Pricing starts at $39,895.

Pros

Mini style, with extra spaceMini driving funAll-wheel drive is standard

Cons

Luxury-level pricing

What's new?

An all-new generation of Countryman debuts

The 2025 Mini Countryman subcompact premium SUV is rejuvenated this year, enhancing its style, space, tech, and character. Pricing starts at $39,895.

The Countryman SUV is Mini's biggest model and one of its best sellers. So coming up with a new generation involves a tricky balancing act of modernization while preserving that special appeal. From our experience of driving the new Countryman and taking a good look around both inside and out, we'd say Mini has succeeded admirably. Beneath its different styling (which retains a recognizable Mini-ness) there's up-to-the-minute tech, an engaging driving experience so typical of Mini, and still that broad scope for personalization.

We've logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact SUVs, including the Mini Countryman.

What's new for 2025

Larger than its predecessor, the Mini Countryman SUV enters a completely new generation (the third) for the 2025 model year. This fresh lineup includes an all-electric 2025 Mini Countryman SE All4, reviewed separately.

2025 Mini Countryman pricing

Pricing for the 2025 Mini Countryman starts at $39,895 with the S All4 and can extend beyond $47,895 for a fully loaded John Cooper Works model.

   Countryman S All4              $39,895 
   Countryman SE All4 (Electric)  $46,195 
   John Cooper Works Countryman   $47,895 

These figures include both the manufacturer's suggested retail price and the $995 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

Another stylish subcompact SUV with the ability to entertain is the Mazda CX-30, starting just over $26,000 - quite a bit less than the Countryman. Or perhaps the Ford (F) Bronco Sport might fit the bill - again, beginning lower than this Mini. Looking at more premium choices, the BMW X1 kicks off in the low $40K region, with the Volvo XC40 just below it, and the Audi Q3 below that. The Lexus UX starts in the mid-30s.

Learn more: The 2025 Lexus UX: A standout among the subcompact luxury SUV class for its hybrid drivetrain and smart price

Before buying a new 2025 Countryman SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are average for the subcompact SUV class. This latest Countryman will be made in Germany, where we anticipate build quality going up a notch or two, which should have a positive impact on residual worth. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

Plus: Review: The Ford Bronco Sport gets updates for 2024 and a new retro trim-you'll dig it

Power, ride, and handling

The base version of the new Countryman comes with 241 horsepower and can sprint from standstill to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. That's substantially more muscle than the outgoing Cooper S version. The BMW (XE:BMW) X1 has the same amount of power yet is quicker to 60 mph by 0.3 of a second. The top version of the Mazda CX-30 has 250 horsepower and can hit 60 mph in just under six seconds. But the Countryman is still fast enough for fun.

The thing about Mini vehicles is that they're engaging to drive - crisp, responsive, and eager. Even though the Countryman is bigger than its regular hatchback stablemate, it's still a bona fide Mini and there's plenty of enjoyment to be had. That goes double in the John Cooper Works model, which has 312 horsepower - a lot of punch for a small vehicle. It does the 60-mph sprint in just 5.4 seconds.

We especially like the Go-Kart mode (essentially a Sport mode) where the automatic transmission will stay in a lower gear for longer, enabling brisk acceleration. At the other end of the performance envelope, the brakes also feel confident. We feel obliged to add the JCW version rides on the firm side, so test drive it over some rough surfaces to see if that's going to work for you.

Fuel economy

The JCW Countryman achieves about 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We expect the base version to manage around 28 mpg combined, like the closely related BMW X1 xDrive28i.

Check out: Mini's new all-electric Aceman looks fun, and in a category of its own

Contemporary interior

The dominant feature in the 2025 Countryman is the large and round (9.4 inches in diameter) infotainment display, now using crisp and vibrant OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology. The system itself has a voice-controlled digital assistant. Say "Hey, Mini" then give a command like "call home" and the order is carried out.

Although we've found that the head-up display provides vital data directly in front of the driver, a lot of other information is only available on the large screen in the center of the dashboard. We'd prefer a proper instrument cluster, even a small one, for those versions that won't have the head-up display. The touchscreen also has various modes to scroll through, but it's likely that drivers will settle on one and stick with it.

This new Countryman is almost 2.5 inches taller and more than 5 inches longer than the previous generation, so there's more space for passengers and cargo. The luggage area behind the rear seats measures around 16 cubic feet, larger than a typical midsize sedan's trunk. Fold those seats down to create about 51 cubic feet (the previous maximum was 47.8 cubic feet). If this is an important consideration, keep in mind that the Ford Bronco Sport has much more.

New yet familiar exterior

It's the headlights that really look different from any Countryman that's come before, with that kind of wonky hexagon shape. As we become more familiar with the new design, it seems to us that there's a kind of Land Rover Defender influence - more squared-off and SUV-like than before. Otherwise, it seems the new Countryman will continue to offer popular features like the roof and side mirror housings in a contrasting color to the rest of the vehicle, taillights that evoke the British flag, and a choice of cool wheel designs. Like the outgoing model, this Countryman has short overhangs, maximizing space between the wheels and that planted stance.

Our favorite features and tech

All-wheel driveAn extra layer of reassurance in slippery conditions and an aid to optimum traction in the dry, the new Countryman comes with all-wheel drive as standard across the lineup.

Ambient lightThe back of the touchscreen can bathe the surrounding dashboard area in lights of different colors, chosen according to which Experience mode is selected.

Recycled materialsMini deploys recycled materials in the cabin, a small contribution to sustainability that gets the thumbs-up from us.

Hands-free drivingFor the first time, the Countryman offers the option of hands-free driving, but drivers must still keep their eyes on the road.

Engine

The new 2025 Countryman S All4 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is also in the new John Cooper Works Countryman, although this one produces 312 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. In both cases, power runs through a 7-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard.

4-year/50,000-mile warranty

Mini's new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. That's the typical coverage offered by European automakers.

Read next: This simple fact about a car on a dealer's lot can give you negotiating power

Safety

The previous Countryman hadn't been tested fully by any agencies in the United States, so we're not holding our breath for test results this time, either. We expect standard safety features to include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, plus lane-keeping assistance.

KBB's car review methodology.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.

-Eric Brandt

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05-24-24 0501ET

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