MINI Countryman SE 2024 Review – International

Going from just one electric option, MINI is opening the floodgates even within just one of its new model ranges, and the 2024 MINI Countryman will be available in two key variants – single-motor/2WD and twin-motor/AWD – with three model grades offered for each.

At the most affordable point, the 150kW single e-motor Countryman E opens the bidding with the Core priced from $64,990 plus on-road costs. The next rung up is the mid-range Classic from $67,990, while the most premium Favoured starts at $70,990 plus ORCs.

In addition to the entry version, the Countryman SE has a second electric motor introducing MINI’s All4 all-wheel drive system and a power boost to 230kW.

Later in the year, MINI will introduce a flagship JCW Sport costing $77,990 plus ORCs, but from launch in the third quarter of 2024 the SE will be on offer as the Classic (from $72,990) and Favoured (from $75,990).

Luxury car tax (LCT) for fuel efficient vehicles has a threshold of $89,332 for the 2023-2024 financial year, which means the entire range of Countryman EVs avoids that unpleasant extra cost hitting the bottom line.

For our first meeting with the new Countryman in Portugal, we were given access to the most premium option – a Countryman SE specced in Favoured trim.

As we’re focusing on the most premium 2024 MINI Countryman SE Favoured, a lot of standard equipment is included in the price.

All SE versions get a 64kWh battery, panoramic sunroof, heated front sports seats and a sports steering wheel.

Favoured versions add to that with special JCW seats with electric adjustment and position memory, sportier black roof liner, sun protection glazing, 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo and unique interior design theme that fades from Dark Petrol blue to Vintage Brown with satin silver highlights.

Eighteen-inch wheels are standard but can be upgraded optionally with two 19-inch wheel sets on offer or a pair of 20-inch options. On the outside, the SE gets All4-specific trims and body kit, adding a more chunky and all-terrain appearance.

One thing you won’t get regardless of the price is a natural hide interior, with MINI going leather-free in 2024.

The company is weaving other sustainable practices into its vehicles including wheels made from up to 70 per cent recycled alloy, most of the interior materials are 90 per cent recycled plastics, while electricity from renewable sources is used in the manufacturing.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is yet to test the new 2024 MINI Countryman, both in normal combustion or EV guise. Euro NCAP hasn’t evaluated it, either.

However, the 2024 MINI Countryman EV shares its major mechanicals with the BMW iX1, which carries a maximum five-star ANCAP rating.

Standard safety and driver assistance technology includes cruise control and autonomous emergency braking (AEB), parking radar at both ends and lane departure warning, as well as a head-up display.

However, the highest level of safety is only offered for the petrol-powered JCW and customers who want the Driving and Parking Assistant Plus package will have to add it in optionally.

These extra packs add adaptive cruise control that works down to stop-and-start traffic, a 360-degree camera with 3D view, and lane keeping assistance. This could potentially affect an ANCAP result if assessed.

With the 2024 MINI Countryman, the BMW-owned brand has introduced the latest version of its operating system and forming the centrepiece of the Operating System 9 is a unique circular central touch-screen measuring 9.4 inches in diameter.

It’s a neat nod to the original Mini as well as the revived BMW-built model in 2000, but is less practically compromised this time around.

Now that the Countryman has a head-up display (HUD) as standard, the driver doesn’t have to look away from the road to read the speed or other frequently referenced information.

The high-resolution organic LED screen also offers access to a wide range of information and services displayed in MINI’s classically playful graphics, accompanied by charismatic jingles and shorter soundbites that MINI calls ‘earcons’.

Standard HUD is a great feature to offer but the unique upright angle of the Countryman’s windscreen meant engineers couldn’t get a conventional version (which reflects from the inside of screen) to work, so the HUD has its own little screen. It works as well as any other but looks a little aftermarket.

Other technological highlights include a wireless charging pad, wireless smartphone mirroring for both Android and Apple devices, cloud-based native navigation and an interior camera that photographs occupants in all seats.

If the MINI is occupied by someone who shouldn’t be there then the image can be used as evidence; if they are welcome, you’ll be needing the #roadtripselfie hashtag.

As with BMW’s latest Operating System 9, the MINI version now has even more conversational and natural voice command operation thanks to the ‘personal assistant’ function, while the MINI Digital Key Plus feature allows the Countryman to be locked, unlocked and started using a compatible smartphone.

The same application can also be used to remotely see battery charging status or range, for example. Over-the-air (OTA) software updates are also enabled by the OS9.

Unlike the new electric MINI Cooper three-door, the 2024 MINI Countryman shares a platform with the BMW X1 and X2 SUVs, meaning you can have a version powered by a 2.0-litre petrol – as is the case with the JCW.

Or there’s a single-motor entry-level electric Countryman E.

However, this is the flagship SE that gets two e-motors for MINI’s All4 all-wheel drive and a combined power output of 230kW and 494Nm.

Both electric versions have a 64kWh lithium-ion battery.

Officially, the manufacturer claims the 150kW two-wheel drive 2024 MINI Countryman E has a maximum range of 462km (WLTP), while the marginally more electron-thirsty SE can still travel a respectable 432km.

In our experience, however, the dual-motor version may be capable of more.

During a 76km test drive, the range indicator fell from a starting reading of 340km to 277km at the conclusion, which suggests MINI’s figures are conservative. The test route was reasonably undulating and involved opportunities to drive enthusiastically so we’re confident the Countryman SE will go further than claimed unless really pushed hard or loaded up.

Charging with high-rate chargers can feed the Countryman a 10 per cent to 80 per cent top-up in less than 30 minutes, says MINI.

MINI says its models offer a ‘go-kart-like driving experience’ but this should not be taken too literally. Those who have driven a kart understand that it is a deeply uncomfortable experience and adjusting to the neurotic steering, twitchy handling and bruised ribs is as relaxing as living with a grumpy doberman.

Thankfully, the 2024 MINI Countryman is much better than that. The reference to go-karts is the marketing department’s attempt to highlight MINI’s rewarding and enjoyable dynamics, which the new battery-electric SUV has in abundance.

It’s important to point out that despite the significant genetic similarity to the BMW iX2, MINI completely retuned the Countryman’s damper and steering calibration and the difference is immediately obvious.

While the MINI’s manner is the more playful of the two models, with a more direct and responsive front-end, it also manages to offer the more comfortable ride.

This review is not a BMW versus MINI comparison but, as we drove both just a day apart, it’s worth a mention.

There’s a little of the classic electric vehicle feel to the Countryman’s ride, with a solidity and thump over bigger road imperfections, but the MINI masks its two-tonne mass admirably with a willingness to change direction.

The primary ride is more sedate and better controlled than expected, while the secondary ride is particularly good at dealing with Portugal’s wildly varying surfaces and conditions.

Traction is never an issue with the optional 20-inch wheels wearing Pirelli P Zero rubber finding grip everywhere, thanks in part to the well-calibrated torque distribution electronics and throttle modulation.

Acceleration from zero to 100km/h is said to take 5.6 seconds but the immediacy of nearly 500Nm makes the Countryman feel faster and more so than the petrol JCW, which needs 5.4s to do the dash.

There’s a huge amount of fun to be had scrolling through the various Experience Modes, with each one playing a little jingle when engaged then changing the way the car sounds once selected.

‘Go-kart’ mode produces a Jetsons-like tone, Balance is somewhat reminiscent of a wellness retreat yoga studio, while the Timeless sound is the most intriguing and produces a low hum even at standstill as if some form of mysterious propulsion is running in the background. Perhaps it was.

Yes, the 2024 MINI Countryman SE has the word ‘country’ in its name, chunky bodywork and an all-wheel drive transmission, but we suspect the new model is best suited to the mildest excursions away from the blacktop.

Traction would no doubt cope very well with loose surfaces but our test car was fitted with tyres intended exclusively for on-road duty, while the absence of a full-size spare and even space-saver should discourage you from heading too far away from help, should you need it.

A long wheelbase of 2692mm and more car-like ground clearance are our final exhibits in the case against off-road.

MINI will probably point you in the direction of the Trail experience mode which brings up a few more adventurous information displays and changes the cabin lighting, but doesn’t impart any more all-terrain ability.

According to MINI executives, its customers asked for ‘a MINI with more room’ and that’s exactly what the 2024 model delivers.

On the outside it has grown in all directions including an overall length which now measures more than 4.4m – about 200mm longer than the previous model – and a majority of this extension is in the rear overhang, which has had a dramatic effect on boot volume.

With a capacity that’s grown by up to 52 litres depending on the model and variant, the Countryman SE’s boot can carry up to 460 litres of stuff and can expand to 1450L with the rear seats folded.

When in place, the second row has ample space for up to three people with more headroom and kneeroom than expected, hip height is excellent for adult access and there is also a pair of USB-C sockets for people in the back, too.

With its latest growth spurt, the Countryman is feeling less like it deserves the name MINI and the ‘compact’ class of SUVs in which it competes.

Despite the boost to space, the model is still manageable and fun to live with.

In recent years, MINI has built a reputation for itself offering interesting design inside and out, bolstered with unusual materials and textures. The new 2024 MINI Countryman exemplifies this.

We loved the knitted recycled fabric material which adorns most of the dashboard and door trims, the steering wheel’s fabric spoke is needlessly cool, while it was hard to believe the seats didn’t once moo.

Then there’s the hugely likeable layout that manages to be uncluttered and ergonomic with beautifully supportive and aesthetically pleasing seats.

The central circular screen is stunning but we also love the retro touches including the toggle switch panel beneath.

When we first met the new Countryman at its reveal in Munich, it was hard to believe it wasn’t still a late-stage concept and our most sceptical selves were not convinced all the charming details and design would make it into a production model.

Yet here they all are and the result is sublime.

MINI’s first crack at electrification was, some might say, a little shy of the mark. The Cooper SE was small, limited in range, not particularly quick and expensive for what it offered.

But, for its second attempt, the company has listened to feedback and the all-new 2024 MINI Countryman SE has none of those unfortunate attributes.

It’s practical and spacious, with more than 400 real-world kilometres of range it’s a proper tourer, and with a price range of $73,000 to $78,000 (plus on-roads) it’ll be worrying other established players in the EV field.

And at $65,000 plus ORCs, the Countryman E will be staring down the more affordable EV offerings too.

Despite all of the improvements, the Countryman SE still holds onto the things that made the first electric MINI so personable and, for that matter, almost all of the MINIs that came before it.

It’s nimble, fast, fun and, even when sitting still, looks like an absolute knockout.

2024 MINI Countryman SE All4 Favoured at a glance:
Price: $75,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Third quarter 2024
Powertrain: Dual permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 230kW/494Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 64kWh lithium-ion
Range: 432km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 18.5kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested