2025 MINI Countryman Consumer Reviews

Nice ride

Fields MINI in Orlando leant me this car while my MINI SE was undergoing a recall repair. I had it for two weeks and if I was the type of person that likes SUV’s (and I’m not), this one would be on the top of my list. Well, actually it would be a Porsche Macan Turbo Electric, but my budget doesn’t make that an option. The exterior styling sets it apart from other brands in a good way from the front view, but to be honest it’s kind of bland from the side and back. It is a functional shape, though, and the cargo area and overall size of the vehicle is pretty close to the capacity of my wife’s 2018 Honda CR-V when they were parked side by side in our garage. The Chili Red body looked great with the black roof and ABCD pillars. Fun and attractive colors and combinations have never been an issue for MINIs, and I’ve owned 4 since 2002. Overall it’s better than “meh,” but could still use some stylistic tweaks to help set its exterior apart in a good way from other angles. The interior is where I think the Countryman really shines. The seats are comfortable but wish that ventilated ones were an option on the top trim levels that non-premium car brands offer on theirs. I’d use that a lot more here in Florida than the heated ones, but the extra warmth was nice to have in early February when we even had snow here. The infotainment system was really neat and easy to navigate compared to my 2023 MINI SE Hardtop, and the Experiences that adjusted performance levels and ambient lighting colors made me smile. Kudos to the interior design team for a fun,comfortable and unique environment. Performance was ok for everyday driving and better in the “Go Kart” mode, but I’m guessing that MPG drops significantly if you stay in that Experience all the time. With premium gas costing 70¢ per gallon more than regular in my neck of the woods, I wouldn’t use it often since you can’t ever use regular and premium is now pushing $4 per gallon. This MINI had all the safety features I would expect and the HK sound system sounded great. I can’t say much about its reliability since I had it for only 2 weeks, but it’s manufactured in Germany along with BMW models (X1. X2, etc.) and should have similar reliability. It does already have 4 recalls per Consumer Reports that also predicts average reliability. But it is an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and that’s important for people with families who need the space and comfort. If I could only buy an SUV, the MINI Countryman would be high on my list, probably an SE electric model if it was mostly for local driving. I think MINI would really hit a home run if they made it and the upcoming Aceman available as a PHEV, though, with 40-50 miles of range. I think they’d sell like hotcakes!