car tests

Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid

It has been said many times before: with an overall length of 4.30 meters, of course, you can’t really call the Countryman “mini. That’s like a “big Bonsai tree. But it’s not weird that the Countryman exists. The popularity of compact hatchbacks is rapidly declining and crossovers and SUVs are in short supply. Mini caught on early and introduced the first generation Countryman back in 2010. In 2017, the second generation entered the market, which received a facelift last year.

Countryman 2022

You can recognize the updated Countryman by a number of things. The grille has a more rounded finish, and the side of the front bumper has distinctive, functioning air vents. LED lighting is now standard on all versions. As on other Mini models, the Countryman also features taillights in Union Jack design. The White Silver color of our test car is also new, as are the robust 19-inch rims, which fill the wheel arches nicely.

Black Pack

Those who want to give their Countryman an extra tough edge can opt for the new, optional Piano Black Exterior package. This option is available for all versions of the Countryman. All chromed parts, such as the frames of the headlights, taillights, grille and “side scuttles,” then get a lick of black paint. Mini then also provides the door handles and the model name on the tailgate – for 310 euros – with a layer of high-gloss black.

Prices

While we’re on the subject of prices, the redesigned Countryman comes from 43,790 euros. For this, you get the 136-hp entry-level model: the Cooper. The Cooper SE ALL4 – the PHEV variant – has a starting price of 47,290 euros. The test car you see in the pictures has a price tag of 52,620 euros. Pretty hefty, then, but thanks to the low BPM penalty, the PHEV is considerably cheaper than the sporty but less powerful (178 hp) Cooper S ALL4, for which Mini charges at least 56,090 euros.

Quality

In the interior of the updated Countryman, few changes have been made. Some new materials have been used here and there, such as other leathers and high-quality plastics. Every Countryman now comes standard with a pleasantly grippy leather-clad sport steering wheel.

In addition, Mini optionally mounts a 5-inch digital instrument cluster behind that steering wheel, instead of the old round gauges. It is a pleasant screen to look at, then is finished with a kind of matte coating, so you can read it perfectly even on sunny days. The screen adds a modern edge to an otherwise classic-looking interior.

engines

Under the hood, everything remained the same. We test the Mini Cooper SE Countryman ALL4. Rolls off the tongue nicely, doesn’t it? For convenience, we prefer to call it the Countryman plug-in hybrid. Because that’s what it is, a PHEV. Up front is a 136-hp 1.5-liter three-cylinder, which works in tandem with an 88-hp electric motor, which sits in the rear. If you drive on electric power alone, then only the rear wheels are driven. Once both engines join forces, there is four-wheel drive.

Together, the engines are good for 220 hp, making the PHEV currently the most powerful Countryman variant. It completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. That’s half a second faster than the Mini Cooper S Countryman with 178 hp. The readily available torque of the electric motor proves its power here. The PHEV is a seriously fast family car.

Range Countryman plug-in hybrid

Under the rear seat, a battery with a capacity of 9.6 kWh is now located. This allows the updated Countryman to cover a distance of 55 to 61 kilometers all-electric, according to the booklet. In practice, we come pretty close to that. In the city you can make it without too much trouble, outside you should rather think of about 40 to 50 kilometers.

load

As with any PHEV, a charging station at home – or a public charging station in the street that is really never used – is a must. At least, if you really want to drive as economically as possible. Charging can be done at 3.7 kW, making a 0 to 100 percent charge take about three hours.

Consumption

During our test week, we did a lot of plugging and therefore only had to run on gasoline on two long highway trips. As soon as the electric-peut is depleted, the gasoline engine jumps on almost without you realizing it. Without a noticeable jolt, the three-cylinder takes over, which, by the way, does like a sip. On highway, we don’t manage to get a better score than 1:15. But thanks to a lot of plugging, we only have to fill a quarter tank at the end of our test week. Not bad considering we had almost 700 kilometers on it.

Heavy

The Countryman SE weighs 1,790 kilograms clean on the hook. Not a lightweight, then. Still, with only 88 hp, the electric motor manages to get things going quickly. A rocker switch lets you select whether you want to drive fully electric or let the car decide which engine should do the work. In ‘Max eDrive’ the Mini drives fully electric up to 120 km/h. In AUTO eDRIVE mode, the plug-in hybrid drives all-electric up to 80 km/h. If you suddenly depress the gas pedal deeply, the automatic gasoline engine will switch on.

Finally, there is the SAVE BATTERY mode. The Mini then runs on the gasoline engine, keeping the battery charge level at at least 90 percent. If the battery is empty, you can also recharge it while driving this way. All so you can drive electric at a later date. In the downtown area, for example.

Riding modes

Another rocker switch – the interior is full of them – lets you select different driving modes: Sport, Mid and Green. If you put it in Green, the Mini is extremely economical with the available energy. Whether that’s gasoline or electrons. The result is a severely throttled powertrain that makes it hard to keep up with traffic. A mode that you only use when your tank is almost empty.

Mid-position is most comfortable for everyday use. The Countryman then gets off the ground nice and smooth, without immediately drawing any lines at a stoplight. Indeed, in Sport mode, this is sometimes the case. Okay, you’re not literally laying down rubber anytime soon, but squealing tires are soon the result, if you press the gas pedal a little too deeply.

Sporty

A Sport mode is unnecessary in many SUVs, but in the Countryman it’s just fine. The crossover may be quite a bit larger than a regular 3- or 5-door Mini, but the driving experience is no less. The “kart” feeling is clearly present. We’ll just say it: the Countryman is the most fun steering crossover in its class. The fun behind the wheel does come at the expense of driving comfort. You can’t have everything of course. You certainly won’t get back pain in the Countryman, but if you’re looking for “French comfort,” you shouldn’t get into this Englishman.  

Space offer

If you’re looking for space, the Countryman is just right for you. In the back, there are three full-size seats. Folding that down increases luggage space from 450 liters to 1,390 liters. If you choose the PHEV version, you’re down to 405 to 1,275 liters. A neat score, especially compared to what the competition offers in this area. Under the cargo floor, the PHEV leaves little room for goodies. You can only put your charging cables there.

Picnic

One option that takes up almost all of the remaining space under the cargo floor, but does put a smile on our face, is the Picnic Bench option. It is basically a soft cushion, finished with leather and attached to the cargo floor. You can swing it over the rear bumper, allowing you to enjoy a picnic from the comfort of your own Mini during a rest stop on a long road trip. For 160 euros a nice option to have. At another English car brand – which is also German-owned – you have to pay 23,000 euros for such an option!

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