Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Full disclosure: I've been an unapologetic MINI fan since I was a kid.I still remember riding around my neighborhood in a right-hand-drive Mini Cooper built in the mid-1960s. I was fascinated by how much character and personality could be packed into such a tiny car.Mini configuratorThe 2026 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 is definitely not tiny. In fact, compared with that little 1960s Mini (and most modern Minis), this thing is bloody enormous.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut somehow, MINI managed to keep some of that original character alive. And that's what makes the Countryman SE so interesting. It also happens to be one of the most expensive MINIs you can buy, with prices easily pushing past $50,000.So the obvious question is: Is it worth it?MiniPower and PerformanceThe Countryman SE ALL4 is powered by dual electric motors producing a combined 308 horsepower and 364 pound-feet of torque.Power goes to all four wheels, and MINI claims a 0-to-60-mph time of around 5.4 seconds. That's quick. But the numbers aren't what make this MINI interesting.It's the way it drives.I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I consider the vast majority of EVs sold in America to be appliances. They're efficient, comfortable, and perfectly competent, but very few actually make me want to drive them. In many ways, the Countryman SE does.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe battery's low center of gravity helps keep body roll under control, while the relatively firm suspension gives the Countryman a surprisingly playful personality. Throw it into a corner, and it doesn't feel like you're driving a heavy electric crossover. It feels planted, responsive, and willing to play.The ride can be a little firm over rough pavement, but I'll gladly accept that trade-off for a vehicle that actually makes me smile. And that's an important part of how I evaluate cars.I don't care if it costs $20,000 or $250,000. If it isn't fun to drive, I'm probably going to lose interest.The Countryman SE hasn't given me that problem.The Range ProblemUnfortunately, there is one big number that isn't nearly as impressive.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Countryman SE ALL4 has an EPA-estimated range of just 212 miles from its roughly 65-kWh battery. That's not particularly impressive in today's EV market.Yes, real-world range can vary considerably depending on weather, driving style and speed, and some owners report doing better than the EPA number.But when you're spending more than $45,000, and potentially more than $50,000, I'd like to see a substantially wider range. DC fast charging can get the battery from 10% to 80% in roughly 30 minutes at up to 130 kW, which helps.Still, range remains the Countryman's biggest weakness.View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThe MINI Interior ExperienceThis is where MINI gets weird, and I mean that as a compliment. The centerpiece of the cabin is a 9.4-inch circular OLED display mounted in the middle of the dashboard.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's unlike anything else on the market.The graphics, animations, and various MINI Experience Modes give the interior a playful, almost retro-futuristic personality. Some of it feels like MINI's designers spent a little too much time watching Japanese anime.Related: Bentley's First EV Will Have Something No Automaker Has Ever AttemptedI'm not complaining.There are also physical buttons and switches, including a dedicated power switch and a conventional gear selector. I'm glad MINI kept them. The interior materials are interesting, the seats are comfortable and there's enough room for five people. The cabin doesn't feel like a traditional economy-car interior, either.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt feels distinctly MINI.My biggest complaint isn't the quality. It's the lack of choice. I miss the days when you could actually configure a car exactly the way you wanted. With the Countryman, your options are increasingly tied to packages and trim levels.Want this? You need that. Ugh.Want that? Congratulations, you've just spent thousands of additional buckaroos. Bummer.That's becoming a problem throughout the industry, but it feels particularly strange for MINI, a brand built around personalization.MiniView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleExterior DesignThe Countryman SE is unmistakably MINI from the front and rear. From the side, however, things get a little more generic. It looks like a small crossover, because that's exactly what it is.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe previous generations had a little more visual personality from every angle. The new Countryman relies heavily on its front and rear design to communicate that it's a MINI.Fortunately, there are plenty of wheel, paint and trim combinations that can make it more interesting. I'd recommend taking advantage of them.The right combination of colors and wheels can transform the Countryman from "small crossover" into something considerably more distinctive.MiniThe Biggest Problem Is the PriceHere's where I struggle with the Countryman SE.The electric Countryman starts around $45,000, and a well-equipped example can easily break the $50,000 barrier. That's a lot of money for a vehicle with just 212 miles of EPA range. And it's considerably more expensive than its gasoline-powered siblings.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe question isn't whether it's a good car.It is.The question is whether it's a good value.I'm not convinced.If I were buying a Countryman as my daily driver, I'd probably choose the gasoline version and save the money.Then again, there's another problem. I've driven the electric SE. And I like it. A lot.MINIView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleFinal ThoughtsThis is one of those cars that makes my job difficult.On paper, the Countryman SE ALL4 doesn't make a particularly compelling argument. It's expensive, its range is mediocre, and the vehicle has grown dramatically compared with the tiny Mini that originally captured my imagination.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut then I drive it.And I smile.The 308-horsepower dual-motor powertrain is quick, the low center of gravity makes it genuinely fun in corners, the cabin is comfortable and distinctive, and the whole thing has a personality that most modern EVs simply don't have.Would I pay more than $50,000 for one?Probably not.At least not today.Related: 2027 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs. 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5: Which EV SUV Is the Better Daily Driver?I'd be much more interested in buying one after the first year or two, when depreciation has had a chance to do some of the negotiating for me. And that's probably exactly what I'd do.AdvertisementAdvertisementBecause there's something about this MINI that works particularly well for where I live. It's comfortable, practical, relatively compact, entertaining and different enough to make the daily commute a little more interesting.My significant other, who has owned a MINI Countryman before, also happens to really like it. She's pushing me to buy one.Oh, the humanity.The Countryman SE isn't perfect, and I'm still disappointed by its range and price. But MINI has managed to preserve something incredibly important as the Countryman has grown larger and more sophisticated.Character.It may be a very big MINI compared with the one I fell in love with as a kid, but it still makes me smile.And honestly, that's worth something.Related: I Drove The 2026 Honda Prelude: Here's My Honest Review Of Honda's Hybrid Sports Coupe ComebackThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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