Coming Soon: New Mini Countryman - specs, price and release info

Mini has unveiled the latest Countryman SUV at the Munich Motor Show, released alongside the all-new Mini Cooper Hatchback. Mini has focused on improving practicality as compared to the last couple of generations, making it bigger in every direction, giving it a longer wheelbase, and a side profile that screams “I have a big boot now”. Like the new Mini Hatchback, the Countryman is launching as a pure electric car – a first for the model – but petrol versions will come too.
• Three UK-specific trims: Classic, Exclusive and Sport. • Two electric versions: a 204 horsepower E and a 313 horsepower SE ALL4 • Both have the same 66.5kWh battery and up to 130kW charging speed • Petrol and diesel versions called Countryman C, S and JCW • Cutting-edge OLED central display with lots of tricks • On the road from February 2024 • Petrol Countryman priced from £28,500; electric from £41,500

Design and models available

You’re looking at the third-generation Countryman, the embodiment of BMW’s increasing willingness to take the ‘mini’ out of Mini. Compared to the first Countryman in particular, it’s massive. A proper family-friendly SUV. Significantly longer than even the outgoing Countryman, rear space is more generous, as is the boot, now 460 litres large. For context, the first Countryman’s boot was 350. Because Mini has fewer design conventions to adhere to with this than with the classic hatchback, the Countryman has a more ‘rugged’ look than ever before. Both the petrol and the electric versions can be ‘ALL4’ four-wheel drive, although this is a traction benefit for day-to-day normality rather than making the car an off-roader; Mini is using the phrase 'go-kart' about the driving experience even for this, its biggest ever car.

Interior and technology

The interior takes the basic principles of the new Cooper Hatchback and supersizes things, mainly to offer up more storage and flexibility. At the front end there’s a large centre console including a storage box and phone charging pad, while the rear bench slides to alter the compromise between boot volume and leg space. The rear seat-backs recline, too. The most headline-grabbing tech is focused inside the nine-inch circular touch-screen, a customisable OLED panel that promise televisual sharpness, and smartphone-like intuitiveness. Its display will change depending on which of the seven drive modes the car is in. It will, for example, show a massive speedometer when the car is in ‘Timeless’ mode, in traditional Mini fashion. There’s even a light projector on the back of the unit, which will throw out various colours and patterns onto the textile dashboard to vary the interior ambience. Cool stuff.

Battery, range and engines

The electric Countryman gets a 66.5kWh battery pack but a choice of two power outputs: 201 horsepower or 308 horsepower, the latter with twin motors for four-wheel drive. Range is 269-287 miles, officially, with the lower powered car at the top of the scale. There’s a big difference in the performance between the two, though, with the single motor Countryman hitting 62mph in 8.6 seconds, while the ALL4 model takes just 5.6. Maximum charging speed is 130kW in both cases, which means a charge to 80 per cent is possible in about half an hour. Petrol and diesel engines aren’t specified yet, but we’re told they’re “innovative and efficient”. Expect a 1.5-litre turbo petrol in a base Countryman C, returning around 45mpg efficiency, as well as 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, the latter exceeding 60mpg.

Price and release

There’s a big variance in prices depending on engine and spec, so even though a base price under £29,000 looks very reasonable, it’ll be possible to spec an electric Countryman ALL4 to a price approaching £50,000. A basic Countryman E electric will cost £41,500, with a £5,000 premium added for the four-wheel drive SE model. The high-performance John Cooper Works (JCW) model is expected to be £40,000. Order books will open at the end of this year, with first deliveries promised in February 2024.

What other cars from Mini are due?

The Countryman comes alongside the new fourth generation Mini Cooper Hatch, and both will hit the roads at about the same time. Mini has said that its entire range will be electric by 2030, and that its last internal combustion model will launch in 2025. That model could be a smaller SUV that Mini has previously said it’s planning, designed to appeal to a younger demographic than this more family-friendly new Countryman.

What other upcoming cars will this compete with?

The forthcoming Volvo EX30 EV is a fairly spot on rival to the Countryman, which costs from £34,000 and is already available to order. Hyundai has a new Kona coming in 2024 too, Like the Countryman, it’ll be available with combustion engines as well as a pure EV drivetrain. Peugeot’s recently updated e-2008 crossover is a rival, and given the price of electric Countryman models, the upcoming Cupra Tavascan could be considered an alternative too.