Contrary to the MINI name and ethos, the new Countryman SUV is set to grow in size for 2024 with petrol and full EV models in the works
- Similar in size to Mercedes GLA
- Mild-hybrid and fully electric powertrains
- Due on sale in 2024
It looks as though the MINI Countryman – originally slated for release in 2023 – will debut at September’s Munich Motor Show. Production will then start in November, before the car arrives in showrooms from February 2024 – firstly as a petrol model, followed by a fully electric version in May of the same year.
The electric version will be a first for the next-generation MINI Countryman’s lineup, and despite it being the last version to go on sale, we’ve already taken a ride in a camouflaged pre-production model alongside driving dynamics engineer Simon Kruger. You can read our initial thoughts below.
Based on the new BMW X1, it will be the first ever MINI to be built solely in Germany. All versions of the Countryman will sit on the same platform as the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series Active Tourer, as well as the aforementioned X1 and forthcoming X2 coupe-SUV.
New MINI Countryman prices, specs and engines
While official specs have yet to be released, many of the BMW X1’s components are likely to be shared with the Countryman, including the electric iX1’s battery and powertrain. That means prospective MINI Countryman EV buyers can expect a 64.7kWh battery capable of a 280-mile electric range, plus dual motors for all-wheel drive. Charging speeds of up to 130kW should allow a top-up from 10% to 80% in around half-an-hour.
Combustion-engined versions of the Countryman will likely make use of the 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre petrol units produced by BMW, with SE and four-wheel-drive ALL4 trim levels likely to be offered. Expect around 134bhp from the 1.5-litre version with the potential for a more powerful 168bhp model in time.
The BMW X1 SUV already uses a 2.0-litre mild-hybrid setup producing around 215bhp which could make its way into the Countryman. Stefanie Wurst, head of MINI, has also confirmed that performance John Cooper Works versions of the entire MINI lineup will also join the range. This model could get a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 302bhp – we can expect an even quicker 0-62mph time compared with the current car’s 5.1-second figure.
Prices haven’t been announced, and won’t be for some time. But given its positioning both within the BMW/MINI range, as well as alongside comparable rivals, we expect a basic Countryman to come in at less than £35,000. The electric version will command a premium, of course, with the range-topping dual-motor EV unlikely to offer much change from £50k. Exact specs will be revealed near the car’s on-sale date in early 2024, but it’s almost certain the maker will offer plenty of personalisation options, as is often the case with new MINI models.
Design and interior
We’ve now seen plenty of pictures of the next-generation SUV testing, and our render images show how the new MINI Countryman might look. The MINI Countryman will be around 130mm longer than the outgoing model, to rival the likes of the Audi Q3, the Volvo XC40 and BMW’s own X1, as well as mainstream models like the Kia Niro EV and Volkswagen ID.4.
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A smaller electric MINI Aceman SUV will sit below it in the range, with a new version of the MINI Hatch – badged MINI Cooper – also due before the end of 2023. The Countryman’s increased size will boost interior space and allow for a larger boot than the outgoing car’s.
Though its larger proportions may suggest otherwise, the new Countryman’s design will still be unmistakably MINI. While its overall silhouette isn’t drastically different to the outgoing car, the rear will get a new roof spoiler, up to four exhaust tips, and a new set of tail-lights. The side profile of the new Countryman will appear much the same as the current car, with plastic body cladding to give off a more rugged aesthetic.
While there is little information regarding the new Countryman’s interior, we can once again expect it to be similar in style to the 2023 MINI hatch. This will see a much more minimalist approach than the current car, with few physical buttons. The brand’s trademark circular dashboard will return in the form of a large touchscreen, no doubt running an adapted version of BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system.
2023 MINI Countryman Prototype ride review – Steve Fowler
The new MINI Countryman isn’t due to be revealed in full until September, with production slated to start before the end of the year. Even so, we’ve managed to hitch a ride in the forthcoming compact crossover, alongside one of the car’s chief engineers.
Our first on-road taste of the third-generation SUV is of the pure-electric Countryman, which as mentioned, shares a large proportion of parts with the BMW iX1. While a less powerful single-motor model is likely, we were treated to a ride in the range-topping 309bhp ALL4 version.
On the cold, icy roads of Austria, the new Countryman – largely thanks to that all-wheel drive system – had no trouble putting its power down. And with all that shove, it has the potential to pin you in its new, more comfortable seats with ease. The body stays almost completely flat, even during hard cornering.
Other cool quirks include a sound generator that mimics the brand’s old petrol engines, with a purposeful growl as you accelerate and even the odd pop or crackle when you lift off. Speaking of which, there are different levels for the regenerative brakes, including a one-pedal mode for super-efficient urban driving.
The way the car rides has been a key consideration for Countryman driving dynamics engineer Simon Kruger and his team. He admitted they wanted to retain the old car’s “go-kart feel” but without compromising comfort – something MINIs haven’t always been famed for. The feeling, from the passenger seat at least, is of a car that’s still fun but more grown up than before.
It’s evidently more spacious, too – the extra length really adds to the roominess inside the cabin. The fact it’s a bit taller also makes it easier to get in and out, which will be a boon for taller adults or those regularly putting kids in the back.
Overall then, it seems as if the new MINI Countryman really does have all the ingredients to succeed. We always loved the way the SUV drove, and the extra comfort can only be a good thing. We can’t wait to take one for a proper drive.
Keyword: New MINI Countryman 2023: range, specs and ride review